5 underrated Pokemon 151 rare cards rocketing up in value

Bulbasaur, Squirtle, Charmander and their evolution lines always figure to anchor Pokemon 151’s price charts. But as the popular Scarlet & Violet set passes its first birthday, other illustration cards are shooting up in price, too.

Here’s a look at five Pokemon 151 rare cards gaining significant value over the last three months with the numbers via TCGplayer. We’re also noting the major discrepancies between these cards’ raw values and what PriceCharting.com finds they’re trafing at as PSA 10s — an indication of demand from collectors.

1. Dragonair (up 31.32% to $19.54)

This flashy artwork is getting its due. Nearing an all-time high since release, Dragonair has risen more than 30% on TCGplayer’s marketplace since July 1. Over that span, a staggering 755 versions of it sold for as much as $39.95. PriceCharting’s PSA 10 average sale is $70, 3.5 times the raw price.

2. Tangela (up 20.53% to $6.40)

You’ll see a trend on this list as the most unique illustrations separate themselves from the rest. This playful depiction of Tangela — one swinging from a tree, the other seemingly waiting its turn — is up more than 20% in the last quarter. PriceCharting’s PSA 10 average sale is $55.15, 8.6 times the raw price.

3. Poliwhirl (up 16.48% to $12.16)

Another knockout drawing shows a reflective Poliwhirl, seemingly in a rainy nighttime cityscape. Poliwhirl isn’t especially rare, and that’s probably all that’s keeping it from being one of Pokemon 151’s more expensive cards. PriceCharting’s PSA 10 average sale is $by 75, 6.2 times the raw price.

4. Machoke (up 13.26% to $7.86)

This muscular guy gets to work as a Pokemon moving service in another banger of a artwork. And the market is responding with this card also steadily rising even as sealed Pokemon 151 products are becoming available to purchase again. PriceCharting’s PSA 10 average sale is $51.08, 6.5 times the raw price.

5. Caterpie (up 12.21% to $8.18)

Here’s another Pokemon that’s far from the most popular Pokemon, but Tina Matsuno’s art showing a bundle of Caterpie in their natural environment carries the card. Caterpie reached more than $10 in its lightly played condition back in February, so this one has room to grow. PriceCharting’s PSA 10 average sale is $50.67, 6.2 times the raw price.