Why is Umbreon Star so Expensive? A Close Look at The Pokémon Card Worth as Much as a Car
The Umbreon ☆ Gold Star Trading Card is one of the rarest, most coveted, and downright expensive pieces of Pokémon merchandise on the planet. This single Umbreon card routinely sells for upwards of $10,000 in mint condition. But what is it about this seemingly ordinary Pokémon collectible that commands as much value as a new car?
Quite simply, it comes down to extremely limited supply meeting immense collector demand. Let‘s investigate why precisely this card reaches such astronomical pricing in more detail:
Origins and Print Run of the Practically Priceless Umbreon
The Umbreon in question originated from POP Series 5, a special 2007 iteration of the Pokémon Organized Play (POP) promotional card series. As a POP set, print runs were extremely constrained compared to main TCG expansion releases.
Industry insiders estimate roughly 200 to 300 copies were printed initially for the entire POP Series 5, which contained just 17 cards. Given the tiny print run over 15 years ago, finding any copies today in pristine condition is like discovering buried treasure.
The mega expensive Umbreon Star in all its glory (Image: Bulbapedia)
Out of major Pokémon rarities, the POP Series 5 run counts among the smallest. For perspective, even the iconic 1st Edition Base Set printed over one million packs. This exceptionally limited supply makes every single Umbreon Star precious.
Graded Copies are Where Extreme Rarity Meets Extreme Demand
Above-average conditioned Umbreon Stars may sell for four figures. But examples attaining a near flawless grade from Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) or Beckett (BGS) can enter astronomical five and even six figure territory.
The graded card population reports from PSA and BGS paint a picture of extreme scarcity:
| Grade | PSA Population | BGS Population |
|---|---|---|
| Gem Mint 10 | 0 | 0 |
| Mint 9.5 | 2 | 2 |
| Mint 9 | 15 | 6 |
As the figures show, just 2 copies have scored the coveted Gem Mint 9.5 grade from either company, while only around 20 exist in overall Mint condition. When there are thousands of collectors competing for double digit quantities of a rare item, massive price tags emerge.
Cultural Appeal Among Pokémon Fans Drives Demand
Being part of the EX-era Gold Star subset printed between 2004 to 2007, the card carries cultural cachet among Pokémon fans filled with nostalgia for those classic games. Umbreon itself also remains hugely popular as both a Dark-type Pokémon and Eevee evolution.
Danny Pham, owner of champion grading service Cherry Collectables, remarked:
"Umbreon has always been a fan favorite Pokémon. There’s always been hype surrounding Umbreon cards old and new, they command a very big secondary market value."
So on both a Pokémon and card level, the Gold Star Umbreon occupies lofty status as a Grail among collectors.
Recent Sales Showcase Truly Mind-Boggling Values
If the tiny supply and demand backstory didn‘t convey enough rarity, then check out some recent documented sales of PSA and BGS graded Umbreon Gold Stars:
- PSA 9 Mint Umbreon Star – $14,000 (March 2022, PWCC Marketplace)
- PSA 9 Mint Umbreon Star – $20,100 (June 2022, PWCC Auction)
- BGS 9.5 Gem Mint Umbreon Star – $70,000 (June 2021, Goldin Auctions)
That BGS 9.5 Umbreon‘s hammer price equates to some high-end sports cars like a decked out 2023 Corvette.
These astronomical numbers further prove the Umbreon ☆ rates among the Pokémon hobby‘s most valuable trophies – on par with graded 1st Edition Base Set packs and Pikachu Illustrator promos.
So Why Does This Card Cost as Much as a Car?
In summary, because the Umbreon Gold Star quashes virtually every measure of collectible rarity, its lofty five and six figure market value makes perfect economic sense:
Tiny Original Print Run – With estimates between 200 to 300 copies, the Umbreon comes from one of the smallest vintage print runs in Pokémon history. This forms the root of its exceptional scarcity.
Micro Graded Population – Only 20 graded copies exist above a PSA/BGS Mint 9 according to population data, with a mere 2 attaining pristine Gem Mint 9.5 status. This slickest of slices among the original press drives immense demand.
Cultural Significance – As both an iconic Gold Star card and popular Eevee evolution, the Umbreon carries significant nostalgic collector appeal, further fueling its desirability.
Rarity wins in collectibles long-term. And by any measure, from press run to graded copies, the Umbreon Gold Star counts among the Pokémon TCG‘s absolute rarest obtainable cards.
Thus for collectors with the financial means, owning this extraordinarily scarce Umbreon represents the ultimate Grail purchase rather than any modern sports car.
