Pokémon TCG: Top 10 Most Expensive Cynthia-Themed Cards of All Time!

The next Pokémon TCG base set in 2025, Destined Rivals, is coming soon! Part of this set centers around "Trainer's Partners", that is, signature Pokémon and their trainers, and, as such, lots of iconic characters and Pokémon will take center stage. Among them, will be Cynthia, the first canonical Pokémon champion, as well as one of the most beloved characters in the entire franchise.

Today, we decided to bring you the 10 most expensive Cynthia-related cards in all of Pokémon TCG - from the early days of Diamond/Pearl to the most recent versions in Scarlet/Violet's Destined Rivals. In Japan, this set is known as Hot Air Arena/Hot Wind Arena, and was released on April 14th, 2025. It also includes the next western set, Glory of the Rocket Gang, which will come out soon as well.

For this article, we took into account the Japanese market price because some of these cards haven't been released in the west yet. We calculated their estimated price to the best of our ability.

Next to each card, you'll find how much they're worth, approximately, in US dollars, but please note that these prices may change at any minute, as the Pokémon TCG market, like any other market, changes frequently.

Let's go!

10 - Garchomp "C" LV.X (Diamond/Pearl: Supreme Victors - 145/147)

Let's start with Cynthia's main signature Pokémon, Garchomp! LV.X cards were first introduced in the Diamond/Pearl era. It was a sort of "upgrade" for the regular version of the Pokémon in question - its base form was the Pokémon itself and considered a "basic Pokémon" instead of a "stage 2 Pokémon".

Its ability, Healing Breath, heals all damage dealt to its base form, Garchomp C SV 60, from the moment you evolve it into its LV.X form.

Its main attack lets you discard two energies attached to Garchomp LV.X to deal 80 damage to any enemy target.

Furthermore, because it is a Pokémon LV.X, it can use all the attacks and abilities from its base form, so it's very versatile.

This card was so important in the history of Pokémon TCG that it was reprinted in Sword/Shield: Celebrations, which celebrated the 25th anniversary of the franchise!

Price: US$ 42.

9 - Rayquaza "C" LV.X (Diamond/Pearl: Supreme Victors - 146/147)

Just like Garchomp C LV.X SV 145, Rayquaza LV.X is a Pokémon LV.X, and, as such, can use all the attacks and abilities from its base form. Rayquaza C LV.X SV 146, then, can use Rayquaza C SV 8's attacks.

By itself, this card wasn't strong when it was released because it needs a lot of energies. It also forces you to discard all energies attached to this Pokémon, or, at the very least, empty your hand so you can ignore the first effect and keep your energies.

In any case, this card became more valuable as a collector's item with time because it is attached to Cynthia and Rayquaza.

Price: US$70.

8 - Cynthia (Sun/Moon: Hidden Fates - Full Art - SV82/SV94)

This is a "reprint" of the Ultraprism version from the Sun/Moon block. It was one of the most expensive cards in the special set Hidden Fates, which also included shiny Lucario and Garchomp. Shiny Lucario is quite different from regular Lucario, compared to how different shiny Garchomp is from regular Garchomp. This Cynthia in particular fit the theme of this special set quite nicely, as it focused on shiny Pokémon.

Its effect shuffles your hand and draws six new cards for you, which was already great for Standard at the time. However, when Hidden Fates came out, this card had already rotated out, so it became just another way to "honor" the best cards from Sun/Moon.

It was illustrated by Yusuke Ohmura, known for illustrating Priplup, Froakie, Oshawott's entire evolution line, and the legendary Pokémon from XY, Xerneas, Yveltar, Kubfu, and Urshifu. They also worked on Marnie, Piers' sister in Sword/Shield.

Price: US$168.

7 - Cynthia (Sun/Moon: Ultra Prism - Staff Promo Card, Regional Championships/League & Championship Cards - 119/156)

This card features the same artwork as the regular Ultraprism version, but it also features the "staff" logo, which is rare. The only way you could get this card was if you were part of the staff at official Pokémon events, more precisely Regionals. This card was available in Standard at the time.

Price: US$180.

6 - Garchomp "C" (Diamond/Pearl: Supreme Victors - Staff Promo Card, Regional Championships/League & Championship Cards - 60/147)

This Garchomp is very similar to our 10th place, Garchomp C LV.X SV 145. It is the one you'll upgrade into Garchomp C LV.X SV 145, namely, it is Garchomp C SV 60.

It was given out at Regionals from 2009 to 2010, and is expensive because of the "staff" logo featured in it.

Price: US$200.

5 - Cynthia & Caitlin (Sun/Moon: Cosmic Eclipse - Full Art - 228/236)

This Cynthia, also from Sun/Moon, shows up with another important character from Unova: Caitlin, a member of the Elite 4.

According to the lore both in the game titles and Ash's anime series (more specifically in the B/W generation), she is one of Cynthia's closest friends, as well as mentor.

Cynthia & Caitlin featured the TAG TEAM mechanic, first introduced in Team Up. It lasted until Cosmic Eclipse when this card was released.

It has two effects. First, it recycles one Supporter from the discard pile and adds it to your hand (except for Cynthia & Caitlin, if you used it on that turn). Then, if you discard one card from your hand, you can draw three new cards from the top of your deck after you recycle your Supporter.

Price: US$210.

4 - Cynthia's Garchomp ex (Scarlet/Violet "SV9a": Hot Air Arena - Secret Illustration Art - 087/063)

Our fourth place is this Garchomp ex from the most recent block, Scarlet/Violet.

As it is a Japanese card, we'll only know how much it actually costs in dollars on May 30th, 2025, when it will be released in the west.

Its attacks are great: the first one deals 100 damage and also draws up to six cards. The second deals 260 damage (for just two Fighting energies, which is quite easy to get), but also forces you to discard all energies attached to it.

This card has a lot of potential for the next Standard meta, as we mentioned in this article about Cynthia's Garchomp ex and Mega Lucario ex.

Price: US$230.

3 - Rayquaza "C" (Diamond/Pearl: Supreme Victors - Promo, Miscellaneous Cards & Products, Cracked Ice Foil - 8/147)

This Rayquaza is rare because of its foil effect, which was only available at the time.

More specifically, it was only available in 2009 in Fall Collector's Tins. These products were sold exclusively at an iconic American pharmacy, Walgreens.

Price: US$250.

2 - Cynthia (Sun/Moon: Ultra Prism - Full Art - 148/156)

Our second place is the "Full Art" version of Ultraprism's Cynthia. It became more valuable as time went on.

It was also illustrated by nagimiso, who was responsible for the first artworks created for signature Pokémon and their trainers.

Price: US$275.

1 - Cynthia (Sun/Moon: Ultra Prism - Staff Promo Card, Regional Championships/League & Championship Cards - 119a/156)

Our first place is this Cynthia UPR 119 reprint, illustrated by Hideki Ishikawa. This artist has worked for the Pokémon Company since the Sun/Moon block and has built a considerable portfolio of Pokémon illustrations, as well as artworks for Megaman and Disgaea.

It is rare because of the "staff logo" featured in it. It indicated this card was only given to organizers, judges, and other staff members at Regional tournaments when this card was valid in Standard.

Price: US$390.

What did you think of our list? Tell us your thoughts in our comment section below.

Thank you for reading, and see you next time!