The Rarest and Most Expensive Mewtwo Cards of All Time

With feline-like characteristics and strong psychic abilities, Mewtwo is one of the most popular Pokémon of all time. Surprisingly, it hasn't always been that way. Mewtwo first appeared toward the end of the role-playing video games Pokémon Red and Pokémon Blue. They were created to be the most powerful Pokémon of all time with a full set of skills that included psychic abilities, flight and human speech via telepathy. Despite their impressive stats, audiences didn't take much of a liking to Mewtwo when they debuted.

In 1999, the release of "Pokémon: The First Movie" in English changed how trading card enthusiasts saw Mewtwo. The powerful purple feline quickly became a target for collectors of Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) cards. Mewtwo has appeared in every Pokémon video game and several non-Pokémon Nintendo games. The character is also a staple in the Pokémon Go mobile game and stars in the movie "Detective Pikachu." Mewtwo trading cards, especially those from the 1999 base set, are now some of the most popular and sought-after of all Pokémon cards.

Here are our picks for the top 11 most collectible and valuable rare Mewtwo Pokémon cards ever produced.

The Top 11 Most Collectible and Valuable Mewtwo Cards

1. 1999 Pokémon Base Set #10 Mewtwo – 1^st Edition Shadowless Holo ($17,000)

This Shadowless Holographic parallel for the 1995 Mewtwo base set card is widely considered one of the most desirable of all Mewtwo cards. While it wasn't initially popular, it became a target for game enthusiasts and serious collectors after Mewtwo appeared as the main character in the first Pokémon movie. Players also began to covet Mewtwo for their powerful attributes. The graphic design of this card is relatively basic with a still drawing of Mewtwo against a star-spotted background. The card is clearly marked "Edition 1" directly under the far-left corner of the graphic.

PriceCharting.com reported that a card in Gem Mint condition was sold for $17,000 in August 2021. Released only in Japan as part of a bubble pack, this card is considered extremely rare.

2. 2021 Pokémon #28 Mewtwo EX – Japanese Creatures Deck: Corporate History 25^th Anniversary – 2011 ($7,500)

Mewtwo bursts off the card mid-attack in this limited-run card released as part of the Corporate History Deck in December 2021. TCG artists and other Pokémon creators and employees were given the cards, which feature brand and character trivia on the reverse side. Corporate History Decks included a card designated to represent each year in Pokémon's history. The Mewtwo EX card represents the year 2011, when it was originally released as part of the Next Destinations series in the U.S.

Its status as a limited issue given only to people who helped build the Pokémon brand makes this card one of the rarest and most desirable around. A card at CGC Pristine 10 condition sold for $3,360 in 2021. Another card graded at CGC 9.5 was sold on the PWCC marketplace for $7,500 in early 2023.

3. 2002 Pokémon New Destiny #109 Shining Mewtwo – 1^st Edition ($5,400)

The Neo Destiny card series introduced the first alternate-colored Pokémon in the trading card game. This special group of 10 character designs is known as Shining Pokémon, and Mewtwo is absolute royalty. Shining Mewtwo #109 offered slightly improved abilities over the first edition Mewtwo card with the caveat that only one of these cards could be in a player's deck at a time. Mewtwo is rendered in a powerful battle stance with deep blue coloring and a glowing white outline.

PriceCharting.com reports a sales price of $5,400 for a Gem-Mint card sold in November 2021. Pokémon Wizard tracks a lower overall sales price of $525 for all graded cards, indicating that the market for this card might be slowing down.

4. 2002 Pokémon Legendary Collection #29 Mewtwo – Reverse Holo ($3,500)

Released only in the U.S., this unique Mewtwo design is considered one of the reverse-foil cards in the TCG universe. Mewtwo is portrayed in a powerful battle stance with attack waves projecting from their hands. The card features a holographic background reminiscent of fireworks.

The print run for this Wizards of the Coast card is unknown, but it's proven exceptionally rare on the collector's market and tends to command high values. A card at Grade 10 was sold for $3,500 in April 2021. A card at Grade 9.5 sold for $843 in June 2023. So, it is possible that the market for this card is slowing down as more copies come up for auction.

5. 2004 Pokémon Team Rocket Returns #99 Rocket’s Mewtwo Ex ($2,550)

Released in the 2004 Team Rocket Returns set, this Mewtwo card features the same attacks as the Gym Challenge set with adjusted damage numbers. An action drawing of Mewtwo in a battle stance with one arm spread in front of them and one arm stretched out behind is the focal point for this card. This ultra-rare card is a favorite among collectors who want to expand their base Mewtwo collections.

PriceCharting.com reports a May 2023 sale of this card in Gem Mint condition for $2,550. Cards in Grade 9 condition are listed at $800, with cards in Grade 8 condition falling to $427. Pokemon Wizard reports a lower average sale price for all graded cards at approximately $380 in 2023.

6. 2016 Pokémon XY Evolutions #51 Mewtwo – Pre-Release Staff Holo ($475)

The XY Evolutions Pokémon card set was released in 2016 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Pokémon's creation. Many of the cards in this set are reprints of original characters with new statistics to reflect their evolution in the Pokémon universe. This Mewtwo card was created as a special promotional card for local game stores running pre-release events for XY Evolutions. The rarest cards are stamped with "STAFF" to indicate their promotional nature.

Pokemon Wizard tracks a $475 sale for this card in January 2023. PriceCharting.com reports a sale for a card in Grade 9 condition at $336, with a card in Grade 8 condition at $305.

7. 1999 Pokémon Base Set #10 Mewtwo – French 1st Edition Holo ($384)

This card is visually identical to the first card on this list but is printed in French. It was released in France in 1999 as part of the 1st Edition Base Set. Due to its limited in-country release, this card is considered rare. A card at CGC Grade 9 was sold by Heritage Auctions for $384 in 2021.

8. 2015 Pokémon Gold Star #103 Mewtwo Star – Holon Phantoms ($380)

Considered ultra-rare, this Holon Phantoms card is one of the most coveted of all Pokémon releases. Like Shining Pokémon, players can only hold one of these Pokémon Star cards in their deck at a time. A shiny Mewtwo rendered in blue and green breaks out of the frame of this card onto its border. Players love this card for its 50+ psychic damage value and 80 HP.

Pokemon Wizard tracks the current value of graded versions of this card at $380 based on a sale in December 2022. TCG Player also tracks the current market value for this card at $380.

9. 2000 Pokémon Gym Challenge #14 Rocket's Mewtwo – 1st Edition ($299)

This Ultra-Rare card was the first in any TCG collection to have three attacks. Mewtwo is depicted in an attack-ready stance with a blazing ball. The frame size on this card is smaller than on its predecessors to accommodate the extra attack text. Mewtwo is arguably the most popular Pokémon in the Gym Challenge set. Both amateur and serious collectors consider this card a must-have.

TCG Player tracks the average market value for this card at $299. Pokemon Wizard reports a lower current average value of $102.

10. 2002 Pokémon Expedition #20 Mewtwo – Holo ($221)

Part of the 2002 Expedition base set, this holographic card features Mewtwo flying in mid-air across a starry backdrop. The feline-like clone's Hypnosis and Psychic attacks are included on this card. The striking graphic is a favorite among both Mewtwo fans and investors with broader Pokémon collections. This edition features a unique design with a bright yellow border around the card.

Pokemon Wizard reports a July 2023 sale of this card at $221. TCG Player tracks its market value at $221 with a listed median price of $114.

11. 2019 Pokémon Sun & Moon Unified Minds #242 Mewtwo & Mew GX – Secret ($187)

Mewtwo and Mew are featured on this TAG TEAM Pokémon card released as part of the Unified Minds set in 2019. A bright neon rendering of Mewtwo and Mew attacking as a duo fills the surface of the card. Pokémon fans love that the duo's ability is "Perfection" with a 200-point Miraculous Duo GX value. This card has gained significant traction among Mewtwo collectors since its release.

TCG Player lists the market value of this card at $177 with a slightly higher median listing price of $187, which reflects a rise in collector interest. Pokemon Wizard reports sales in July 2023 reaching upward of $177 as well.

How Are Mewtwo Pokémon Cards Graded?

All trading card certifiers use a standardized grading system recognized by card dealers, appraisers and collectors. In this system, grades range from Ungraded to Pristine 10. All grades are calculated according to the following standards.

• Pristine 10: These are the absolute best cards available. They're in perfect condition across all four grading criteria: surface, edges, centering and corners. These cards are like-new perfect even if viewed under 10x magnification.
• Gem Mint 10: These cards are in ideal condition with bright colors and perfect centering. They have undamaged edges, sharp corners and no more than one very minor flaw that can't be detected by the human eye alone.
• Grade 9.5: This is a near-Mint card that has no more than one minor flaw or condition issue.
• Grade 9: An excellent card with a few minor condition issues or flaws.
• Grades 8 and below: These cards are graded lower because of production flaws or post-purchase condition issues. Grades are determined by weighing the number of flaws and condition issues on each card.
• Ungraded: These cards have never been graded, and their condition is known only by their owner.
• Raw: Cards that have just been removed from the packaging and have been placed directly on the market.

Trading card values are determined by weighing three components: condition, rarity and collector demand. Of the three factors, collector demand tends to be the most difficult to forecast. At times, a card that was highly desirable plummets in value when collectors lose their interest. Price spikes can also occur with renewed interest in a character or card set. Of course, escalating prices at open auctions can also cause card prices to spike artificially. This means that rare cards in Gem Mint condition are sometimes more difficult to sell than lower-graded cards that are preferred by Pokémon fans and new collectors.

Why Should You Have Your Mewtwo Cards Graded?

Having your Pokémon TCG cards graded by the professionals at CGC is a great way to determine your collection's value and prove its authenticity. Learn more about CGC Cards' grading process and submit your TCG cards for evaluation today. We offer a variety of services ranging from grading to protective encasing.

*Any mention of "investment potential" is for entertainment only and should not be construed as investment advice. The Certified Collectibles Group does not provide investment advice and is not liable for any buy, sell or trade decisions made by any parties.