Pokemon TCG 151: Top 5 Chase Cards
Pokemon TCG 151 is a nostalgia-driven set covering the original 151 Kanto Pokemon. Here are the five most valuable chase cards from one of the best-performing sets of the Scarlet & Violet era.
Pokemon TCG 151: Top 5 Chase Cards
Released in September 2023, Pokemon TCG 151 is one of the most beloved sets of the modern era — and one of its strongest performers on the secondary market. The concept is simple: cover all 151 original Kanto Pokemon, each with an ex variant featuring Special Illustration Rare and Illustration Rare treatments. The result is a nostalgia-driven collector's dream that continues to hold value well beyond its release.
Whether you grew up with the original Game Boy games or the Base Set, 151 is a set that speaks directly to you. Here are the five cards — ranked by current secondary market value — commanding the highest demand.
1. Charizard ex — Special Illustration Rare (~$239)
Even in a set defined by nostalgia, Charizard reigns supreme. The Charizard ex SIR in 151 depicts the iconic dragon in its dual Fire/Dragon Tera form with a crystalline visual treatment that feels fitting for a set celebrating the original 151. It's one of the most valuable Charizard cards in the SV era — only the Paldean Fates version surpasses it.
For Charizard collectors and 151 completionists alike, this is the definitive pull of the set.
2. Mew ex — Special Illustration Rare (~$100)
Mew is the mythical Pokemon that anchors the entire concept of 151 — the secret 151st Pokemon, the genetic predecessor to all life in the Pokemon world. Its SIR is both visually striking and narratively fitting as a centrepiece card. Mew was also a viable competitive card during its Standard-legal period, giving it additional sustained demand beyond pure collector appeal.
3. Blastoise ex — Special Illustration Rare (~$78)
The Kanto starter trifecta is a cornerstone of 151's collector appeal, and Blastoise delivers in SIR form. Depicting the Water-type starter in an ocean setting that fully embraces its design, the Blastoise ex SIR is the kind of card that long-time fans of the original games have been waiting decades for in modern card form.
4. Venusaur ex — Special Illustration Rare (~$78)
Venusaur completes the trio alongside Blastoise. The Venusaur ex SIR places the original Grass starter in a lush, sun-dappled botanical setting — a visual approach that suits it perfectly. Collectors building the full Kanto starter SIR set will want both Blastoise and Venusaur, which sustains demand for both cards together.
5. Zapdos ex — Special Illustration Rare (~$60)
The legendary birds of Kanto are fan favourites, and Zapdos's SIR is the strongest performer of the three. The electric yellow-and-black artwork captures Zapdos in a storm-wracked sky that's visually striking even by SIR standards. Legendary Pokemon consistently command a collector premium, and the original Kanto birds carry additional generational nostalgia.
Why 151 Holds Its Value
Most sets see their secondary market prices decline significantly in the 6–12 months after release as supply increases and hype normalises. 151 is one of the few exceptions to this pattern in the SV era — largely because its appeal is tied to nostalgia rather than recency, which means it doesn't fade the way newer sets do.
Worth noting: the middle evolutions — Charmeleon, Wartortle, and Ivysaur — all have Illustration Rares that sit around $30+, which is unusually strong for non-rare-holo cards. The entire set has a stronger value distribution than most, making it rewarding to open even when you miss the top tier SIRs.
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