2006 Gold Star Pikachu PSA 10 Sells for $148,800

2006 Pokémon EX Holon Phantoms Gold Star Pikachu in PSA 10 Just Hit $148,800

On February 16, 2026, Goldin sold a 2006 Pokémon EX Holon Phantoms Holo #104 Gold Star Pikachu in a PSA GEM MT 10 slab for $148,800. The card also carried an MBA Silver Diamond certification on the case, adding an extra verification layer for buyers who care about authentication and eye appeal.

For collectors tracking high-end Pokémon, this is a notable data point for one of the hobby’s most important non‑vintage Pikachu cards.

The Card at a Glance

• Character: Pikachu
• Year: 2006
• Set: EX Holon Phantoms
• Card number: #104
• Variant: Gold Star (shiny Pokémon, special rarity tier)
• Finish: Holo
• Grading company: PSA
• Grade: GEM MT 10
• Additional certification: MBA Silver Diamond Certified
• Auction house: Goldin
• Sale date (UTC): 2026-02-16
• Sale price: $148,800

This is not a rookie card in the sports sense, but it is a key issue for Pikachu collectors. Gold Star cards from the EX era represent some of the most chased Pokémon chase cards of the mid‑2000s.

Why Gold Star Pikachu Matters

Gold Star cards were introduced during the EX era and are identified by a gold star next to the Pokémon’s name. They usually depict shiny (alternate color) versions of the Pokémon and were seeded at very low pull rates compared to regular holos of the time.

EX Holon Phantoms is a 2006 set that sits firmly in the mid‑2000s "EX era"—after WotC (the original base–Neo era) but long before modern ultra‑premium products. For many collectors, EX Holon Phantoms is:

• A tough era for condition: Booster boxes and packs are scarce and expensive, and many cards from this timeframe were played or stored casually.
• Home to key chase cards: Multiple Gold Stars and popular species make it a targeted set for high‑end set builders.
• A bridge between vintage and modern: It retains the older card aesthetics while introducing more complex mechanics and rarities.

Gold Star Pikachu in particular combines:

• The franchise mascot, Pikachu
• A Gold Star shiny treatment
• A relatively low‑print, mid‑2000s set

That combination makes it a cornerstone card for serious Pikachu and EX era collectors, similar to how certain flagship rookie cards function in sports.

Grade and Scarcity: PSA GEM MT 10

PSA’s GEM MT 10 grade represents what the company considers a virtually flawless card: sharp corners, strong centering by their standards, and clean surfaces.

For EX Holon Phantoms Gold Star Pikachu:

• The PSA population report (PSA’s public tally of how many copies exist in each grade) shows a relatively small number of PSA 10s compared to raw or lower‑grade copies.
• The EX era is known for factory edge and corner issues, making true GEM‑quality examples hard to find.

Because of this, the PSA 10 tier is where serious price separation happens. Lower grades (PSA 8–9) can be substantially more accessible, but they do not track the same high‑end segment as GEM copies.

The MBA Silver Diamond certification is an additional, independent review that focuses on authenticity and eye appeal. While not a substitute for PSA’s grade, it can provide extra comfort to buyers operating at this price level.

Recent Market Context and Comps

In the hobby, “comps” (comparable sales) are previous confirmed sales of the same or very similar items. They are often used to understand where the market has been, not where it will go.

For EX Holon Phantoms Gold Star Pikachu, the recent pattern has been:

• PSA 10 copies: Prior results on major auction houses and marketplaces have generally been in the low‑ to mid‑six‑figure range when the market is strong, with some fluctuations as broader Pokémon sentiment rises or cools. Exact numbers move over time, but this $148,800 result lines up with the card’s positioning as a top‑tier Pikachu issue.
• PSA 9 and below: These typically trade at a significant discount to PSA 10s, sometimes a fraction of the GEM price. They still command strong four‑ or five‑figure prices, but they represent a different buyer pool than the six‑figure GEMs.

Looking back over the last several years:

• Peak Pokémon periods saw record prices on a number of Gold Stars, and Pikachu has consistently been among the most stable of those top cards.
• As the market normalized, prices came off their highs, but rare GEM examples rarely flooded supply. Sales often appeared only when a serious collector decided to let one go.

This $148,800 sale sits in that context: it reflects ongoing willingness among high‑end collectors to pay a premium for top‑grade, key‑character EX era cards, even after the speculative peaks of earlier cycles.

How This Sale Fits the Current Pokémon Market

The broader Pokémon market has gone through a few identifiable phases in recent years:

1. Acceleration and peak: A surge in demand for vintage and early‑era cards, with record prices for Base Set Charizard, early Pikachu cards, and rare Gold Stars.
2. Correction: As more supply surfaced and short‑term speculation cooled, prices settled across many segments.
3. Sorting phase: Scarcer, truly blue‑chip items—especially iconic characters in low populations and high grades—have tended to hold attention, while more common cards adjusted more sharply.

Gold Star Pikachu from EX Holon Phantoms fits squarely into the category of “true chase” cards:

• It is not easily replaced; high‑grade copies do not appear in every auction cycle.
• It appeals to multiple collector lanes: Pikachu character collectors, EX era set builders, and Gold Star specialists.
• Its age and print environment (mid‑2000s, not mass‑printed like some later sets) add to perceived scarcity.

Within that framework, this $148,800 result at Goldin in February 2026 is consistent with a market that continues to recognize this card as a top‑tier Pikachu grail, rather than a speculative flyer.

What Collectors Can Take Away

For newcomers, returning collectors, and smaller sellers, there are a few practical observations:

1. Character and era still matter. Pikachu remains one of the safest‑followed characters in the franchise, and EX era Gold Stars are well‑established as premium targets.
2. Condition drives the top end. The gap between PSA 9 and PSA 10 can be dramatic on cards like this. For anyone grading raw copies, understanding surface scratches, edge chipping, and centering is essential.
3. Comps are a guide, not a promise. This $148,800 result joins a small list of high‑end sales. It helps define recent price context but should not be treated as a guaranteed benchmark for the next sale.
4. Third‑party reviews can matter at high prices. Extras like MBA Silver Diamond certification appeal mostly at the top of the market where buyers scrutinize every detail.

Final Thoughts

The 2006 Pokémon EX Holon Phantoms Holo #104 Gold Star Pikachu in PSA GEM MT 10 is one of the defining modern‑era Pikachu cards. The $148,800 sale at Goldin on February 16, 2026, reinforces that status.

For collectors building long‑term Pikachu or EX era collections, this result is another clear signal of how the hobby currently values true chase pieces in top condition. For those exploring the segment for the first time, it’s a useful reference point in understanding where Gold Star Pikachu sits within the broader Pokémon landscape.

As always, these sales are best viewed as part of a longer timeline. Watching how future PSA 10 and high‑grade copies perform—across different auction houses and venues—will help refine the picture of where this card’s market settles over time.