Zapdos is one of the most famous characters in Pokemon TCGas this original Cantonese Pokémon is part of the first legendary trio released, forming an impressive triumvirate with Moltres and Articuno. Zapdos share several mutual appearances in sets with the most valuable Moltres cards; However, Zapdo's FireRed & LeafGreen cards have not established a stable market price with NM sales to be included.
Aside from a missing link, Zapdo's best cards come from some of the most expensive Pokémon TCG sets in history, with all-time greats like Base Set, Aquapolis, and Supreme Victors to look forward to. Whether you're looking for classic Zapdos imagery or prefer some unusual interpretations of this electric bird, Zapdos has a variety of card art to collect.
The cards are ordered according to their TCGPlayer
market price,
which, on average, you can pay for a copy of
(first edition, if applicable)
card below.
Given the age and rarity of these cards,
only
those with one
established market price on TCGplayer
is included.
However,
sale prices vary depending on the condition of the card,
so this market price is just a rough idea of the card's value.
6 Zapdos: Fossil First Edition (Holo Rare) – $68.82
Unearthing a rare relic
Zapdos is one of the most expensive cards in Fossil, as this Pokémon received its second printing in this style, although the original is not an exact one-to-one card.
This card looks similar to another Zapdos art still to come, but take a closer look at Zapdos depth (how far away it is) and you'll see the key difference.
While unlimited copies of this card are pretty cheap, you'll need to spend at least $15 on a damaged first edition, with heavily played (HP) cards from $18 to $31. If condition is an important factor in your purchase, you may want to choose cards in moderate play (MP) condition, which will start at around $34. For the best specimens, lightly played (LP) cards bring prices in the $50 range, while they are almost new (NM) card max out around $73.
5 Zapdos: Supreme Victors (Secret Rare) – $102.43
Glittering in gold
The Supreme Victor's Zapdos has a legitimate case for the most eye-catching Zapdos art ever, like this vibrant golden depiction of this electric-type bird provides the perfect color to make this card pop.
The explosion of sparkling patterns in the Cosmos holo gives this card a stunning look, unlike any other Zapdos.
Fortunately, you won't need to take out a loan to buy this card if you're okay with one in damaged condition, considering it would only cost $20. But fancier cards cost a little more, with the HP jumping to $27, while an MP copy rose to $71. If you prefer the best, LP cards will cost you around $80, followed by last NM copies hover around $100.
4 Zapdos: Aquapolis (Holo Rare) – $110.00
An electrifying spectacle
Aquapolis is one of the most iconic Pokémon sets, with valuable cards and a collection of gorgeous artwork that few other sets can match. This Zapdos deserves a lot of praise, with such a violent and explosive scene that takes place when Zapdos unleashes its power.
Finding a copy of this card will prove a challenge, although there are sales covering a range of conditions. At the low end, MP copies of this card can cost around $65, while you can expect to play close to $100 for an LP card. Finally, NM cards carry an expensive premium to $110.
3 Rocket's Zapdos: Gym Challenge First Edition (Holo Rare) – $152.65
Into The Darkness
This depiction of Rockets Zapdos delves into the dark undertones associated with Team Rocket, manifesting them visually with a cloudy night sky and a storm brewing behind Zapdos. The electric-type legend unleashes a bolt of lightning from his wings, capturing this majestic moment with crackling electrical energy.
Early copies of this card soared into the triple digits, with LP cards representing the worst condition of cards sold at $114. NM copies jump well above this figure, reaching highs between $143 and $183 to solidly confirm the card's current market price. While there are plenty of market prices that can change with a few sales, this card has established a solid value at the moment.
2 Rockets Zapdos Ex: Team Rocket Returns (Ultra Rare) – $222.60
A return to the rocket
Continuing the Team Rocket trend, Rocket's Zapdos-ex is an upgrade to its version from Gym Challenge in almost every way, even if the Pokémon gets lost in the darkness of this card. Aside from the lighting, there's still a lot of beautiful detail on Zapdo's wings, makes this card more appealing on a second look.
Unlike previous Rocket's Zapdos, this card does not have a well-established market price on TCGplayer, as a single NM sale soared to $222.60 after two damaged cards sold for $59.99 and $33.88 respectively. A single LP sale exceeded the NM price and clocked in at $239.99, leaving several questions about where this card's value might settle.
1 Zapdos: Base Set First Edition (Holo Rare) – $899.99
Back to the beginning
Speaking of questions, you might be wondering how this Zapdos essentially quadruples the price of its closest competitor. Aside from the incredible art and iconic status of the Base Set, this first edition Zapdos holo is hard to find in NM condition, which is what contributed to the sky-high price tag.
The most expensive Base Set cards soar to incredible heights in First Edition, with Zapdos selling for $179.99 in damage and $202.85 in HP. As you move up the ladder, expect to pay $310+ for an LP copy, while a lone sale in NM for $899.99 is our only point of reference until another card changes hands.
