What is the best pokemon card?

There's no single "best" Pokémon card, as value and desirability depend heavily on several factors:

• Rarity: Cards with extremely low print runs (like some promotional cards or cards from early sets) are inherently more valuable. The rarity level (common, uncommon, rare, etc.) is a key factor, with higher rarities commanding higher prices.
• Condition: The condition of the card significantly impacts its value. A near-mint or mint-condition card will be worth far more than a played or damaged card, even if they're the same card. Grading services like PSA and Beckett help determine and verify condition.
• Demand: A card's popularity and desirability among collectors drive its price. Iconic Pokémon, powerful cards with strong tournament playability, or cards with attractive artwork can become highly sought after.
• Set and Era: Cards from popular and older sets, especially the first few generations, often hold more value due to nostalgia and scarcity.

Instead of a single "best" card, here are some examples of cards known for their high value:

• Pikachu Illustrator (1998 Promotional Card): This card is arguably the most expensive Pokémon card ever sold, fetching millions of dollars due to its extreme rarity and iconic artwork.
• Various 1st Edition Shadowless Holos: First edition cards, especially those without the shadow border around the artwork, from early sets like Base Set are highly sought after and expensive. Charizard and Blastoise are notable examples.
• Certain promotional cards: Many promotional cards given out at events or with specific products are incredibly rare and valuable.
• Cards with high-grade PSA or Beckett scores: A card's value is heavily influenced by its condition. High-grade cards will sell for substantially more.

In summary, the "best" Pokémon card is subjective and depends on what you value most (rarity, condition, nostalgia, tournament viability, etc.). Researching specific cards and their market value on sites like eBay or pricecharting.com will provide a much clearer picture than any single answer.