2005 POP Series 2 Celebi ex PSA 10 sells for $29K

A $29,280 Pop Series Milestone: 2005 Pokémon POP Series 2 Celebi ex PSA 10

On May 18, 2026, Goldin sold a 2005 Pokémon POP Series 2 Holo #17 Celebi ex graded PSA GEM MT 10 for $29,280. For a small, non-booster set from the mid‑2000s, that’s a meaningful result and a useful reference point for anyone tracking EX‑era chase cards.

In this breakdown, we’ll walk through what this card is, why it matters to collectors, and how this sale fits into the broader market for mid‑2000s Pokémon EX cards.

Card overview: 2005 POP Series 2 Celebi ex #17

Key details:

• Character: Celebi ex (Legendary, Psychic/Grass‑type Mythical Pokémon)
• Year: 2005
• Set: Pokémon Organized Play (POP) Series 2
• Card number: #17
• Finish: Holofoil, EX-era Pokémon ex card
• Type: Non‑rookie, but a key EX‑era Mythical Legendary
• Era: Mid‑2000s EX era (between WotC vintage and modern Sun & Moon / Sword & Shield)
• Grading company: PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator)
• Grade: GEM MT 10 (PSA’s highest standard grade)

This card is not a “rookie card” in the sports sense, but within Pokémon it is an important appearance of Celebi in the EX era, and one of the better‑known cards from POP Series 2.

What is POP Series 2?

POP (Pokémon Organized Play) Series packs were small, limited‑card sets distributed as rewards or participation bonuses through official Pokémon events and leagues, rather than sold as regular booster boxes.

POP Series 2:

• Released in 2005
• Only 17 cards total
• Included a handful of ex cards and holos that became chase cards over time
• Packs were not as widely opened or hoarded as mainline sets

Because of that distribution model, POP cards tend to have:

• Less overall supply in high grade
• More handling wear (cards given to kids at events, stored loosely)
• Fewer unopened packs surviving compared to main sets

Celebi ex #17 is one of the headline cards from this small checklist.

Why collectors care about Celebi ex POP Series 2

1. EX‑era Mythical Legendary

The mid‑2000s EX era (roughly 2003–2007) has become a core focus area for many collectors who grew up just after the Wizards of the Coast (WotC) period. Pokémon ex cards (lowercase “ex”) from this era are known for:

• Distinctive layout and holofoil
• Often lower print runs than WotC and current sets
• Tough condition sensitivity (edge and corner whitening)

Celebi is a Mythical Pokémon with consistent fan interest, even if it isn’t as globally iconic as Charizard or Pikachu. Within the EX era, Celebi ex appearances are comparatively limited, and POP Series 2 is one of the more recognizable ones.

2. POP distribution and set reputation

Because POP packs were event‑based rewards:

• Fewer people stashed sealed product purely as an investment
• A lot of cards saw casual play or ended up in binders without sleeves

That shows up in grading data (pop reports). While exact population counts change over time, POP Series ex holos generally have:

• Modest PSA 10 populations
• Noticeably larger PSA 9 and lower‑grade populations

So a PSA 10 copy represents the top end of a relatively thin condition pyramid.

3. PSA GEM MT 10 as a condition ceiling

PSA GEM MT 10 means:

• Centering, corners, edges, and surface all meet PSA’s strict top standard
• No noticeable print lines, whitening, or holo defects under normal inspection

For mid‑2000s EX cards, clean holo surfaces and edges are far from guaranteed. Even pack‑fresh cards could show minor defects that push them down to PSA 8 or 9. That condition difficulty is a major reason PSA 10s attract strong premiums for these cards.

Market context: how this $29,280 sale fits in

This Goldin sale closed at $29,280 on May 18, 2026. To put that into context, we look at three angles: recent comps, grade spreads, and EX‑era trendlines.

Recent comps and related sales

Public data on this exact card in PSA 10 is relatively thin, which is normal for low‑population EX‑era and POP cards. Over the last few years, activity has generally shown:

• Lower grades (PSA 8 and 9) trading at a significant discount to PSA 10
• Raw / ungraded copies often presenting condition risks (edge wear, scratching)

Where there is consistent visibility is in relative positioning:

• EX‑era Legendary and Mythical ex cards have steadily built a collector base
• POP Series ex cards routinely sit in a premium tier versus more common, non‑event‑based holos from the same era

Against that backdrop, a $29,280 result is toward the high end for niche Mythical EX cards but is not out of line with what we’ve seen for:

• Scarcer EX‑era holos in top grade
• Event‑linked or special‑distribution cards with low PSA 10 populations

The limited number of recent sales makes it hard to call this a "new normal". It’s more accurate to frame this as a strong, notable comp rather than a stable price anchor.

Grade spread and pop report dynamics

POP Series 2 Celebi ex is typical of mid‑2000s holos:

• PSA 9 population tends to be meaningfully larger than PSA 10
• PSA 8 and below include many cards that were actually played or binder‑stored

Collectors often use grade spreads (price differences between PSA 8, 9, and 10) to understand how much the market values perfection:

• When the jump from 9 to 10 is large, it usually reflects true difficulty in landing a GEM copy and strong collector preference for top‑end condition
• When the spread is small, it can signal either forgiving condition standards from buyers or relatively easier grading

For POP Series Celebi ex, the premium at PSA 10 is notable, which lines up with the card’s condition sensitivity and the smaller PSA 10 population.

EX‑era and POP trendlines

Over the last several years, EX‑era cards have:

• Moved from “overlooked” to “established” collector territory
• Seen revised appreciation due to nostalgia from collectors who started in this period
• Benefited from increased attention to non‑WotC vintage and mid‑2000s sets

POP Series cards ride that same wave, but with extra tailwinds:

• Limited, event‑based distribution
• Very small checklists that are realistically completable, which appeals to set builders

This $29,280 result reinforces a broader pattern: niche but important EX‑era chase cards, especially in GEM MT 10, are being treated as long‑term collection centerpieces rather than casual binder cards.

What this sale means for collectors and small sellers

For collectors

If you collect EX‑era, POP Series, or Legendaries/Mythicals, this sale highlights a few points:

1. Condition really matters
   The gap between nicely centered, clean holo copies and truly GEM‑worthy copies keeps widening. Even if you’re not chasing a PSA 10, understanding where your card realistically falls on the condition spectrum helps set expectations.

2. Event‑based sets hold their own lane
   POP Series cards aren’t as visible as major booster sets, but they continue to command attention when they surface in top grade. This sale is another data point supporting that dynamic.

3. Patience is part of the chase
   With low‑population cards, opportunities are infrequent. If you’re targeting this exact Celebi ex in PSA 10, you might see long gaps between public appearances.

For small sellers

If you’re a small seller or someone sorting through a mid‑2000s collection:

• Check for POP stamps and symbols. POP cards can easily be overlooked as "just another mid‑2000s holo". Identifying POP Series logos and numbering is step one.
• Pre‑screen condition before grading. The value in POP ex cards is highly condition‑driven. Cards with heavy edge whitening, scratching, or centering issues may not justify grading fees.
• Use recent sales as context, not targets. A $29,280 PSA 10 result is not a guarantee of what your raw or lower‑grade copy might bring. Use it instead as a top‑of‑market reference point.

Key takeaways from the Goldin sale

• The 2005 Pokémon POP Series 2 Holo #17 Celebi ex in PSA GEM MT 10 sold at Goldin on May 18, 2026, for $29,280.
• POP Series 2 is a small, event‑distributed set, and Celebi ex is one of its key chase cards.
• PSA 10 copies are meaningfully scarcer than lower grades, and this sale underscores the premium attached to truly top‑end condition.
• For collectors, the result reaffirms EX‑era POP cards as significant, long‑term collection pieces rather than side curiosities.
• For sellers, it’s a reminder to take mid‑2000s POP and EX‑era cards seriously when evaluating what to grade and how to position them.

As always, sales like this are a snapshot, not a prediction. The best use for this kind of data point is as one part of a bigger picture: era trends, set scarcity, condition realities, and your own collecting goals.