Most Valuable Stellar Crown Cards: Complete Price Guide & Pull Rates (2026)

Tracking the most valuable Stellar Crown cards has become essential for Pokémon TCG collectors and competitive players looking to pinpoint the biggest chase hits from the Scarlet & Violet era. Released as the seventh mainline international expansion of the Generation 9 block, Stellar Crown introduced the mesmerizing Stellar Tera mechanic alongside some of the most visually stunning artwork ever pressed into cardboard.

From the crystalline brilliance of Terapagos ex to the irresistible Kanto nostalgia of Bulbasaur and Squirtle Illustration Rares, this expansion captured the hobby’s imagination immediately upon release. Much like previous hit sets such as Twilight Masquerade, Surging Sparks, and Prismatic Evolutions, secondary market values for Stellar Crown have matured into clear tiers of blue-chip modern collectibles.

Whether you are cracking open 36-pack booster boxes, ripping Elite Trainer Boxes, or submitting potential Gem Mint candidates to grading companies, understanding raw versus graded price spreads and rarity distribution is critical. In this comprehensive 2026 collector’s guide, we break down the top ten most expensive cards in the set, analyze verified pull rates, evaluate PSA 10 grading premiums, and highlight how to appraise your collection with modern AI tools.

Key Takeaway: The crown jewel of the expansion is the Terapagos ex Special Illustration Rare (#170/142), closely contested by the astonishingly popular Squirtle Illustration Rare (#148/142). While Special Illustration Rares are mathematically rarer (~1 in 86 packs), high-grade demand for Gen 1 Kanto starter Illustration Rares has pushed both raw and PSA 10 prices into triple-digit territory.

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Why Stellar Crown Shook Up the Pokémon TCG Market

To appreciate why specific singles from Stellar Crown hold long-term investment value, collectors must look at the set’s underlying design philosophy and gameplay importance. In the broader context of our Pokémon TCG price guide, Stellar Crown occupies a unique strategic crossroads between competitive meta relevance and pure aesthetic appeal.

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|                         STELLAR CROWN SET ARCHITECTURE                          |
+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Total Cards in Expansion:   170+ cards (142 Base Set + 33+ Secret Rares)       |
| Key Gameplay Mechanic:      Stellar Tera Pokémon ex (Multi-Energy Attacks)      |
| Standout Chase Rarities:    Special Illustration Rare (SIR) & Illustration Rare |
| Premier Competitive Pull:   Terapagos ex, Area Zero Underdepths, ACE SPECs      |
| Base Booster Box Format:    36 packs (Standard retail booster display)         |
| Average SIR Pull Frequency: ~1 in 86 packs (roughly 1 per 2.4 booster boxes)    |
| Average IR Pull Frequency:  ~1 in 13 packs (roughly 2.7 per booster box)        |
+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------+

1. The Debut of Stellar Tera Types

Stellar Crown marked the western trading card debut of the “Stellar” Terastal phenomenon first seen in the Pokémon Scarlet & Violet: The Indigo Disk DLC. Unlike traditional Tera Pokémon that adopt a single defensive type, Stellar Pokémon ex harness all three different elemental energy types to unleash devastating game-ending attacks. This guaranteed that flagship cards like Terapagos ex, Cinderace ex, and Galvantula ex enjoyed instant, aggressive tournament playability that supported baseline card liquidity.

2. High-Profile Kanto Starters in Lower Rarity Slots

Historically, standard Illustration Rares (IRs) occupy modest price bands between $5 and $20 because collectors pull roughly 2 to 3 per booster box. However, Stellar Crown shattered this expectation by featuring standalone full-art cards for original 151 icons Squirtle and Bulbasaur. Because there are over a dozen different IRs in the pool, hitting the specific Squirtle or Bulbasaur card still averages around 1 in 160 packs. Nostalgia-driven demand from vintage collectors—many of whom joined the hobby during Pokémon 151—propelled both starters to the top of the price charts.

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Top 10 Most Valuable Stellar Crown Cards Ranked

The pricing data below is compiled from verified secondary marketplace transactions across TCGplayer market records, eBay completed authenticated sales, and PriceCharting historical indices. Valuations reflect both raw Near Mint (NM) condition and certified PSA 10 Gem Mint slabs.

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|                   TOP STELLAR CROWN CHASE CARDS SUMMARY (2026)                  |
+----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Card Name & Variant                 | Card Number | Raw NM Value | PSA 10 Value  |
|-------------------------------------+-------------+--------------+---------------|
| 1. Terapagos ex (SIR)               | #170/142    | $95 - $115   | $320 - $380   |
| 2. Squirtle (Illustration Rare)     | #148/142    | $55 - $70    | $240 - $300   |
| 3. Bulbasaur (Illustration Rare)    | #143/142    | $38 - $50    | $170 - $220   |
| 4. Lacey (SIR - Supporter)          | #166/142    | $36 - $48    | $140 - $185   |
| 5. Hydrapple ex (SIR)               | #167/142    | $34 - $45    | $150 - $190   |
| 6. Dachsbun ex (SIR)                | #169/142    | $30 - $42    | $135 - $175   |
| 7. Galvantula ex (SIR)              | #168/142    | $24 - $34    | $110 - $145   |
| 8. Briar (SIR - Supporter)          | #171/142    | $20 - $28    | $90 - $125    |
| 9. Cinderace ex (SIR)               | #164/142    | $18 - $26    | $85 - $115    |
| 10. Terapagos ex (Hyper Rare Gold)  | #173/142    | $16 - $24    | $80 - $110    |
+----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+

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1. Terapagos ex Special Illustration Rare (#170/142)

• Rarity: Special Illustration Rare (SIR)
• Artist: AKIRA EGAWA
• Raw NM Market Price: $95 – $115
• PSA 10 Gem Mint Value: $320 – $380

Standing undisputed at the summit of the expansion, the Terapagos ex Special Illustration Rare is a masterclass in modern Pokémon card illustration. Illustrated by legendary artist AKIRA EGAWA—famed for masterworks like the VSTAR Universe Origin Forme Sinnoh gods and the Roaring Moon ex SIR—this card captures the crystalline turtle perched upon an ancient celestial dome in the Great Crater of Paldea.

Surrounding Terapagos is a radiant ring of gem-cut jewels representing all eighteen elemental types. The card features deep foil etching with micro-textured holographic patterns that refract light like real diamond facets. Coupled with its status as the centerpiece of competitive “Terapagos / Dusknoir / Palkia” tournament decks, this card possesses the gold-standard combination of collector reverence and competitive playability.

2. Squirtle Illustration Rare (#148/142)

• Rarity: Illustration Rare (IR)
• Artist: MINAMINAMI Take
• Raw NM Market Price: $55 – $70
• PSA 10 Gem Mint Value: $240 – $300

In an unusual twist for modern Pokémon sets, an Illustration Rare—traditionally an “entry-level” secret rare—ranks as the second most expensive card in the entire expansion. The Squirtle Illustration Rare depicts the iconic Water-type starter lounging peacefully on a sun-drenched mossy rock in the middle of a tranquil pond, while crisp turquoise water ripples flow around its shell.

What makes this card so lucrative on secondary markets is the sheer scale of the Gen 1 collector base. Fans who assembled the iconic Wartortle and Blastoise Illustration Rares in Paldea Evolved and Pokémon 151 recognized this card as an essential companion piece. PSA 10 copies trade at a staggering 4x to 5x multiple over raw prices due to tight Japanese printing tolerances being harder to match on English foil sheets.

3. Bulbasaur Illustration Rare (#143/142)

• Rarity: Illustration Rare (IR)
• Artist: Yoriyuki Ikegami
• Raw NM Market Price: $38 – $50
• PSA 10 Gem Mint Value: $170 – $220

Mirroring the massive popularity of Squirtle, the Bulbasaur Illustration Rare (#143/142) serves as the counterpart tribute to Kanto’s beloved Grass-type starter. Renowned painter Yoriyuki Ikegami—who also illustrated the beloved Gardenia’s Vigor from Crown Zenith—rendered Bulbasaur in a lush, storybook greenhouse aesthetic.

Bulbasaur is tucked among broad monstera leaves, glowing yellow flower buds, and dappled sunbeams filtering through the foliage. The card evokes warmth and pure nostalgia, making it a permanent fixture in modern binder collections. For investors tracking population reports, Bulbasaur suffers from frequent vertical print lines along the top border, ensuring PSA 10 Gem Mint graded copies command strong auction premiums.

4. Lacey Special Illustration Rare (#166/142)

• Rarity: Special Illustration Rare (SIR)
• Artist: Megumi Mizutani
• Raw NM Market Price: $36 – $48
• PSA 10 Gem Mint Value: $140 – $185

Female Supporter cards have long occupied a distinct investment niche in the Pokémon TCG, often colloquially termed the “Waifu factor” on secondary marketplaces. Lacey (#166/142), the sweet yet intensely competitive Blueberry Academy Elite Four member, easily claims the title of the premier Trainer chase card in Stellar Crown.

Illustrated by character designer Megumi Mizutani, this card highlights Lacey alongside her signature Plusle and Minun plushies against a soft, pastel-toned Blueberry Academy dorm background. Full-art Supporter collectors who collect modern character arcs from Scarlet & Violet aggressively target Lacey, driving consistent liquidity on both raw and slabbed copies.

5. Hydrapple ex Special Illustration Rare (#167/142)

• Rarity: Special Illustration Rare (SIR)
• Artist: Teeziro
• Raw NM Market Price: $34 – $45
• PSA 10 Gem Mint Value: $150 – $190

When The Indigo Disk DLC revealed Hydrapple—the multi-headed serpentine evolution of Applin and Dipplin—the creature instantly became a community favorite. The Special Illustration Rare (#167/142) brings this quirky dragon to life through the creative vision of artist Teeziro.

Rendered in an intricate, stylized folk-art landscape, Hydrapple lounges across ancient twisted orchard boughs surrounded by rolling hills, floating cherry blossoms, and crisp red apples. In competitive play, Hydrapple’s “Ripening Charge” ability provides enormous Grass Energy acceleration, giving the card strong hybrid demand across both tournament competitors and aesthetic art collectors.

6. Dachsbun ex Special Illustration Rare (#169/142)

• Rarity: Special Illustration Rare (SIR)
• Artist: OKACHEKE
• Raw NM Market Price: $30 – $42
• PSA 10 Gem Mint Value: $135 – $175

Few cards in recent memory have generated as much casual and social media buzz as the Dachsbun ex Special Illustration Rare (#169/142). Designed by illustrator OKACHEKE, the artwork features the pastry-inspired Fairy-type hound curled up peacefully on a cozy bakery counter, surrounded by freshly baked croissants, baguettes, and artisanal stoneware.

The warm golden color palette and charming bakery atmosphere have made Dachsbun one of the highest velocity binder hits in modern Pokémon collecting. Because the textured foil highlights every crumb and pastry surface, raw copies with flawless foil surface integrity and clean centering are prime candidates for professional card grading.

7. Galvantula ex Special Illustration Rare (#168/142)

• Rarity: Special Illustration Rare (SIR)
• Artist: PLANETA Mochizuki
• Raw NM Market Price: $24 – $34
• PSA 10 Gem Mint Value: $110 – $145

Representing the Lightning/Grass Stellar archetype, Galvantula ex (#168/142) showcases the electric spider suspended in the luminescent cavernous depths of Area Zero. Glowing geometric web structures zig-zag across the canvas in vibrant neon blues and electric yellows.

The intricate multi-angle line art and vibrant contrast create an exceptional foil pop under direct illumination. Collectors who appreciate darker, sci-fi-themed Pokémon artwork consistently seek out this card, maintaining steady floor pricing above $25 raw.

8. Briar Special Illustration Rare (#171/142)

• Rarity: Special Illustration Rare (SIR)
• Artist: take
• Raw NM Market Price: $20 – $28
• PSA 10 Gem Mint Value: $90 – $125

Briar is the brilliant Blueberry Academy teacher whose obsession with the legendary Terapagos drives the plot of The Indigo Disk. Illustrated by take, the card captures Briar deep inside the crystal Underdepths, holding a glowing Tera crystal lantern while crystal towers rise around her.

In the trading card game, Briar’s Supporter effect allows a player to take an extra Prize card if their active Tera Pokémon knocks out an opponent’s Pokémon when two Prize cards remain. This clutch “game-closing” mechanic makes Briar an indispensable strategic tech card in competitive decks, reinforcing its sustained market value.

9. Cinderace ex Special Illustration Rare (#164/142)

• Rarity: Special Illustration Rare (SIR)
• Artist: takuyoa
• Raw NM Market Price: $18 – $26
• PSA 10 Gem Mint Value: $85 – $115

As the beloved final evolution of Galar starter Scorbunny, Cinderace possesses a huge global fan following. In its Stellar Tera form, Cinderace ex (#164/142) is portrayed mid-strike, winding up for a blazing kinetic soccer kick amidst bursting crystalline embers and floating pyroclastic rocks.

The dynamic action posing and radiant fire effects make this one of the most action-packed SIRs in the expansion. While Cinderace’s pull rate matches that of Terapagos, its slightly softer tournament presence places raw prices around the $20 mark, offering an attractive entry point for budget-conscious modern art collectors.

10. Terapagos ex Hyper Rare Gold (#173/142)

• Rarity: Hyper Rare (Gold)
• Artist: 5ban Graphics
• Raw NM Market Price: $16 – $24
• PSA 10 Gem Mint Value: $80 – $110

Rounding out the top ten is the majestic Hyper Rare Gold version of Terapagos ex (#173/142). Boasting a textured metallic gold background with iridescent rainbow foil borders, the card symbolizes the ultimate rarity tier in standard booster packs.

While Special Illustration Rares historically outperform Gold cards in modern collector sentiment, Hyper Rares remain the mathematically toughest pulls in the expansion (~1 in 140 packs). For master set builders who insist on collecting every single secret rare in numerical order, this gold centerpiece remains an essential purchase.

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Stellar Crown Pull Rates & Rarity Breakdown

Understanding the mathematics behind booster pack distribution is the key to managing your sealed product investments. Below is the consensus pull rate data gathered from thousands of community booster box openings across the international release:

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|                     STELLAR CROWN ESTIMATED PULL PROBABILITIES                  |
+----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Rarity Category                     | Per Pack Odds      | Per Booster Box Odds  |
|-------------------------------------+--------------------+-----------------------|
| Double Rare (Regular Pokémon ex)    | ~1 in 6 packs      | ~6 per box            |
| ACE SPEC Trainer Card               | ~1 in 20 packs     | ~1.8 per box          |
| Illustration Rare (IR)              | ~1 in 13 packs     | ~2.7 per box          |
| Ultra Rare (Full Art Pokémon/Train) | ~1 in 15 packs     | ~2.4 per box          |
| Special Illustration Rare (SIR)     | ~1 in 86 packs     | ~0.4 per box (1 in 2+)|
| Hyper Rare (Gold Textured)          | ~1 in 140 packs    | ~0.25 per box (1 in 4)|
| Specific SIR Chase (e.g. Terapagos) | ~1 in 520 packs    | ~1 in 14.5 boxes      |
| Specific IR Chase (e.g. Squirtle)   | ~1 in 160 packs    | ~1 in 4.4 boxes       |
+----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+

As the statistics prove, pulling a specific chase card like the Terapagos ex SIR directly from sealed product requires opening roughly 14 to 15 booster boxes on average. At an average retail price of $110 to $130 per box, that equates to over $1,500 in sealed product. For pragmatic collectors, purchasing verified raw singles directly or hunting graded copies is vastly more cost-effective than gambling on booster packs.

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Grading Strategy: Raw vs. PSA 10 Multipliers

If you manage to pull one of the top cards from Stellar Crown, your next critical decision is whether to sell raw or submit the card for third-party authentication. Graded modern Pokémon cards exhibit sharp value bifurcation:

• PSA 9 (Mint): Modern cards in PSA 9 typically sell for only 1.0x to 1.2x their raw Near Mint price. After deducting grading fees, shipping, and insurance, submitting a card that grades a 9 often results in a net financial loss.
• PSA 10 (Gem Mint): A pristine PSA 10 grade triggers a substantial 3.0x to 4.5x multiplier over raw market value. For instance, an ungraded Squirtle IR worth $60 transforms into a $260+ asset inside a Gem Mint slab.

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|                       GRADING ARBITRAGE DECISION MATRIX                         |
+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Raw Card Value | PSA Grading Cost | PSA 10 Realized Value | Net Estimated Profit |
|----------------+------------------+-----------------------+---------------------|
| Squirtle ($60) | $20 (Bulk Tier)  | $260                  | +$180 (300% ROI)    |
| Terapagos ($105| $20 (Bulk Tier)  | $350                  | +$225 (214% ROI)    |
| Bulbasaur ($44)| $20 (Bulk Tier)  | $195                  | +$131 (297% ROI)    |
| Dachsbun ($35) | $20 (Bulk Tier)  | $155                  | +$100 (285% ROI)    |
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Critical Flaws to Inspect Before Submitting:

1. Centering: Modern Scarlet & Violet English cards require 55/45 to 60/40 centering on the front and 75/25 on the reverse to qualify for a PSA 10. Check that the silver border thickness is balanced on all four sides.
2. Corner Whitening: Check the dark blue reverse card stock under a 10x jeweler’s loupe or smartphone macro lens. Microscopic factory edge burrs or corner nicks instantly drop a card to a PSA 9.
3. Horizontal Print Lines: The textured foil stamping process occasionally leaves faint horizontal roller indentations across the artwork. Inspect the card under angled daylight to ensure a completely smooth finish.

If you are preparing a submission batch, read our guide on how to grade sports and Pokémon cards and explore the head-to-head comparison between PSA vs BGS to select the right grading service for your goals.

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How to Scan and Price Check Your Collection with CardMint

Evaluating hundreds of raw cards manually with magnifying glasses and cross-referencing completed sales across multiple marketplaces can take hours. That is where CardMint changes the game:

1. Instant Visual Recognition: Snap a photo of any Stellar Crown card—raw or graded—and CardMint’s neural scanner instantly detects the exact card name, expansion, variant number, and foil texture.
2. AI Pre-Grading Analysis: CardMint analyzes front-to-back border centering ratios, pinpoints corner whitening, and highlights micro-scratches before you spend money on grading fees.
3. Real-Time Price Sync: Access live aggregated sales comps from TCGplayer, eBay authenticated auctions, and specialty auction houses, ensuring you never leave money on the table when selling your Pokémon cards.
4. Portfolio Tracking: Organize your binder sets, track historical profit and loss, and receive real-time notifications when your chase cards experience market price spikes.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the most valuable card in Stellar Crown?

The most valuable card in Stellar Crown is the Terapagos ex Special Illustration Rare (#170/142), illustrated by AKIRA EGAWA. Raw Near Mint copies consistently trade between $95 and $115, while authenticated PSA 10 Gem Mint copies command between $320 and $380 in secondary market auctions.

Why are the Squirtle and Bulbasaur Illustration Rares worth so much?

Squirtle (#148/142) and Bulbasaur (#143/142) are original Generation 1 Kanto starter Pokémon with massive cross-generational nostalgia appeal. Because they feature masterwork full-art illustrations and belong to a large pool of Illustration Rares, hitting an individual starter averages 1 in 160 packs. Enthusiasts who collected the companion cards in Pokémon 151 aggressively purchase these singles to complete their starter evolution lines.

What are the pull rates for Special Illustration Rares in Stellar Crown?

The overall pull rate for any Special Illustration Rare (SIR) in Stellar Crown is approximately 1 in 86 booster packs, which translates to about one SIR per 2.4 booster boxes. However, because there are six distinct SIR cards in the set, the mathematical odds of pulling a specific targeted card like Terapagos ex are roughly 1 in 520 packs (over 14 full booster boxes).

Are Stellar Crown cards a good long-term investment?

Yes, selected high-rarity singles from Stellar Crown hold favorable long-term potential. The expansion serves as the cornerstone for the Generation 9 Stellar Tera mechanic, and its top hits feature premier Kanto starter art and elite artists like AKIRA EGAWA and Yoriyuki Ikegami. As sealed booster box supplies diminish over the next several years, pristine PSA 10 copies of Terapagos, Squirtle, and Bulbasaur are expected to maintain strong collector equity.

How do I check if my Stellar Crown card is worth grading?

To determine if your Stellar Crown card is worth grading, inspect the card under bright, direct light. Check the front border centering (aiming for 55/45 or better), look for clean, unchipped blue edges on the reverse, and ensure there are no print lines or holo scratches. You can also use the CardMint mobile scanner to automatically calculate centering percentages and estimated grading return on investment before submitting.