Stellar Crown, the 10th Scarlet & Violet-era release from the Pokemon TCG was the first set to unveil the Tera type to the TCG. These cards were differentiated from their regularly typed counterparts via a striking pink/purple/teal card border as well as the eponymous “stellar crown” of rotating colors that represents a Pokemon boasting this multi-type effect.
While Stellar Crown lacks the heavy hitters that later Scarlet & Violet sets contained, such as Destined Rival’s Team Rocket’s Mewtwo ex SIR or the cornucopia of Eeveelution SIRs from Prismatic Evolutions, Stellar Crown boasts some beautiful full-arts – a number of which are supremely underrated. Let’s dive into the most valuable cards from the set.
Stellar Crown’s most valuable Pokémon cards deserve their value crowns
10. Gulpin – Illustration Rare, 154/142
Market Price: $14.35
One of the amazing artworks on an Illustration Rare from Stellar Crown comes courtesy of this strikingly Expressionistic Gulpin full-art courtesy of Jerky, which shows the Stomach Pokemon inhaling an entire cake against a multicolored background.
Before you get upset with this Gulpin for scoffing an entire cake in one bite, it was actually this adorable Poison-type’s birthday, making it totally OK for it to nosh an entire cake in one go. Happy birthday, Gulpin! Hopefully the Birthday Pikachu promo, one of the most valuable English Pikachu cards, was invited too.
9. Zeraora – Illustration Rare, 151/142
Market Price: $14.56
The mythical Electric-type ‘mon Zeraora has had no shortage of full-art cards since its debut in 2018’s Lost Thunder expansion, with more than half of its 28 total cards being full-art releases of some kind.
However, Zeraora’s Stellar Crown IR might be the most beautiful of the bunch, as its Kazumasa Yasukuni artwork is colorful, action-packed, and truly eye-catching as it shows a neon-soaked Zeraora ready to fire off its signature move: Plasma Fists.
8. Lacey – Special Illustration Rare, 172/142
Market Price: $18.48
The trainer Lacey was introduced in the video games as part of the Indigo Disk DLC, and she is a student of Blueberry Academy. Beyond that, Lacey is a purveyor of Fairy-types in the BB League Elite Four.
She is also known for her “X” hand signals, which she does when she doesn’t approve of something or wants to indicate that something is forbidden. It’s a playful maneuver, and it’s nice to see it recreated on her Stellar Crown SIR.
7. Galvantula ex – Special Illustration Rare, 168/142
Market Price: $20.18
The first-ever final evolution of a Bug/Electric-type ‘mon was Galvantula, who evolves from the breathtakingly cute Joltik at level 36. Both ‘mon were introduced in Generation Five.
Galvantula’s first-ever SIR card is a stunning representation of this tarantula-esque Pokemon’s tremendous electric power. Interestingly, this card is illustrated by MARINA Chikazawa, who has illustrated 23 cards in her PTCG career – but this SIR is one of only eight that actually feature Pokemon as the subject. Instead, the artist seems to be an expert at illustration locations from the game, such as Lumiose City, Prism Tower, or Area Zero Underdepths.
6. Milcery – Illustration Rare, 152/142
Market Price: $20.29
Part of a long series of cards that qualify as “cozy and cute,” this pastel-festooned Milcery IR holds the distinction of being the third-most valuable Illustration Rare from Stellar Crown, though the top two blow it out of the water in terms of value.
Illustrated to perfection by Dsuke, a full-art master, this Milcery is overseeing a delectable smorgasbord of sweets, cakes, cookies, and baked goods that is surely making me hungry.
5. Terapagos ex – Special Illustration Rare, 170/142
Market Price: $38.88
At one point, this SIR Terapagos represented the most valuable card from Stellar Crown overall, but it has since been bypassed by four notable SIRs and IRs.
As one might expect, box-art Pokemon from their respective sets often rank highly among the most valuable cards therein – just ask Meowth from Perfect Order’s most valuable cards or Mega Greninja from Chaos Rising’s priciest pieces, among many others.
4. Hydrapple ex – Special Illustration Rare, 167/142
Market Price: $39.40
The top four of this list are, in my opinion, the right picks for the most valuable cards from Stellar Crown. Each one features spectacular artworks with singular visions and points of view.
First up is this tremendous Hydrapple SIR, which boasts artwork from Teeziro that harkens back to ancient Greek mosaics or Roman frescoes. Perhaps beyond that, the art could be construed as some sort of cave painting, though it seems a bit too detailed and precise for that. Either way, an incredible full-art card befitting Applin’s only second-stage evolution.
3. Dachsbun ex – Special Illustration Rare, 169/142
Market Price: $66.65
While Milcery’s IR is incredible cute and cozy (cutezy?), it’s this Dachsbun ex SIR that likely typifies the cottagecore style of Pokemon TCG full-art illustration from Stellar Crown.
Honestly, it seems that Dachsbun and Milcery like to hang out at the same bakery, as this Dachsbun SIR provides a more photorealistic take on the baked goods and sweet treats found on Milcery’s full-art card. Thanks to artist Yuu Nishida for making me hungry again.
2. Bulbasaur – Illustration Rare, 143/142
Market Price: $109.50
1. Squirtle – Illustration Rare, 148/142
Market Price: $118.89
Not unsurprisingly, the two most valuable cards from Stellar Crown features two of the most iconic Pokemon of all time: the original Grass-type and Water-type starters from the Kanto region: Bulbasaur and Squirtle. These cards, while illustrated by different artists, represent a semi-interconnected series with the Elite Trainer Box promo from Obsidian Flames, which features Charmander.
Each of these artworks show their respective subject interacting with a Pidgey, with Bulbasaur just chilling in a window photosynthesizing next to one and Squirtle shooting water at a flock of them playfully. With terrific artworks of notable subjects, it’s no surprise these are the only cards from Stellar Crown with values above $100.
And there you have it. From cards with adorably cottagecore artwork featuring delicious baked goods and sweet treats to interesting thematically linked artworks featuring two of the original Generation One starters, Stellar Crown might not be the biggest hitter we’ve covered, but it still has its fair share of banger cards. Thanks for reading and happy collecting!
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