Empoleon (Japanese)

Empoleon (Japanese): Rarity & Collectibility

Empoleon (Japanese) in its sought-after Holofoil variant is a genuine Rare that print runs hold back, so collectors have to hunt for clean copies. Cataloged as Rare #027/100 of the S9: Star Birth set, it is the kind of card RarePokemonCard tracks for scarcity and collector demand rather than raw price alone. The harder a card is to pull in top condition, the more weight serious collectors place on it.

How Rare & Valuable Is Empoleon (Japanese)?

In 2026, a Near Mint Empoleon (Japanese) (Rare, S9: Star Birth #027/100) changes hands at roughly $0.55, and desirability among set-builders keeps that number firm. Because demand concentrates on clean copies, surface wear is punished hard: a Near Mint example commands about $0.55, whereas a Moderately Played one slides to around $0.20. Across the wear scale that reads Near Mint $0.55, Lightly Played $0.40, Moderately Played $0.20 — proof that for a collectible like this, presentation is inseparable from value. At the very top, a gem-mint PSA 10 Empoleon (Japanese) is valued near $34.88 — about 63x the raw copy, the clearest sign of how much collectors pay for flawless scarcity.

Graded Empoleon (Japanese): Gem Mint & Population

Even for a card at this rarity, the top of the market belongs to certified gem-mint copies. A PSA 10 (or CGC 10 / BGS Black Label equivalent) Empoleon (Japanese) sits around $34.88 — roughly 63x a raw copy. That gap exists because relatively few examples ever earn a perfect grade, so gem-mint population is the real scarcity collectors chase. Step down a notch and demand spreads across BGS 9.5 $6.50 — each tier a smaller, scarcer pool than the one below it. The rule of thumb for collectors: the rarer the card, the more a certified high grade matters to its standing.

Detailed Price Breakdown

Collector Outlook for Empoleon (Japanese)

Empoleon (Japanese) holds steady chase appeal: a Rare that completists actively track down in top condition. Collect it for completeness and the joy of the hunt; its appeal is the set, not the ceiling. Whether you are chasing it for a set or as a centerpiece, revisit Empoleon (Japanese) on RarePokemonCard — rarity demand in 2026 shifts with reprints, set nostalgia, and how few high-grade copies surface.

Frequently Asked Questions