The most valuable elite trainer boxes in the Pokemon TCG

Collecting cards may be the main way to enjoy the Pokemon TCG besides playing, but sealed products continue to be popular as collectibles. Elite Trainer Boxes (ETBs) have plenty of room to take center stage for stunning artwork, while some of the best booster boxes offer limited space to enjoy a specific set style.

While modern ETBs are usually mass-printed, some earlier generations, namely the Sun and Moon and XY eras, offered much more limited editions. With The Pokemon Company International (TPCI) printing fewer ETBs during these periods, their value has increased exponentially due to their rarity and fantastic box art.

Elite Trainer boxes are ordered according to TCGplayer market prices. Only individual ETBs with market prices are included.

7

Celestial Storm (Sun and Moon) – $388.22

the color of money

Celestial Storm has some nice cards, so it's no surprise to see this ETB among the most expensive cards ever. Rayquaza appearance in box art This makes ETB one of the most striking, with an all-green background to complement the legendary Pokemon's iconic color palette.

As a rule, sealed products tend to trend higher over time as limited supply decreases. Modern collections that receive reprints, such as the Crown Zenith, may lose value as the supply is completed, but Out-of-print sets usually increase in price.

2024 was a big year for Heavenly Storm. This ETB started the year at around $275, but ended almost $100 higher after everything was done.

6

Dragon Majesty (Sun and Moon) – $394.37

Rare > Chase Cards

While many older Pokemon sets have cards that rise to impressive values, Dragon Majesty's most expensive cards lag noticeably behind the prices of sealed products. Although Ultra Necrozma GX's all-gold chase card may tickle your fancy, this style has not been well received by collectors.

However, Chase cards are only one factor in determining ETB value. As the rarity of printing plays an important role alongside the ever-increasing number of sealed boxes. Dragon Majesty flirted with the $400 mark at the start of 2024 and even dropped to around $350 before regaining its footing and climbing to its current market price.

5

Cosmic Eclipse (Sun and Moon) – $482.11

Thousands of team tags

Cosmic Eclipse is an example of a well-rounded collection that continues to grow with singles, graded cards and sealed products commanding significant prices.

With the most valuable cards in Cosmic Eclipse continuing to set new records, expect to see an increase in ETB, especially given The price of the amplifier box, which is more than double the cost of the ETB. However, it contains 28 other packages. However, the packs are rare, as this set produced far fewer ETBs than the Sword and Shield era sets.

4

Unbreakable Bond (Sun and Moon) – $482.48

Signed sunset and moon

Unbroken Bonds has an impressive mix of valuable cards that almost justify opening one of these valuable ETBs, but it's probably best kept sealed given its increasing rarity.

Due to its newer release date, this set is hard to find compared to some other valuable ETBs from the XY era, as there are only a handful of listings on TCGplayer. However, this is the collection 2024 The trajectory paints a clear picture It started at just over $350 and ended the year at just under $500.

3

Generations (XY) – $623.31

Iconic in every way

Generations is a special collection which did not have the wide range of products that most standard editions print. Given that this ETB is usually the best way to bundle multiple packages together, it immediately showed higher demand than usual.

Despite this ETB's rarity and distinction as a celebratory release to mark 20 years of Pokemon, this 2024 ETB has fallen on hard times, showing that sealed products aren't always guaranteed a permanent boost. While the pullback from $640 to around $560 was significant, it failed to hold the position lower, as It crossed the $600 mark again.

2

Team up (Sun and Moon) – $807.07

The peak of the sun and the moon

Team Up is one of the most recognizable modern decks in recent memory, with an array of exquisite cards, led by the iconic Latias & Latios GX Tag Team art. However, opening one of these ETBs in search of a set chase card is still a losing proposition.

When ETBs are going for almost 20x MSRP, there's no way to justify opening them if you want to take advantage of the cards you get inside. As a collector's item, this ETB has a gorgeous box set to enjoy, along with the comfort of knowing that the box has nearly doubled in price in 2024.

1

Ancient Roots (XY) – $1297.00

Rayquaza effect

Ancient Origins claims that the Crown stands out as the single most valuable ETB in the Pokemon TCG, as one of the first examples of its type. A mix of high value cards and other low print.

Unsurprisingly, active listings for this ETB are almost impossible to find on TCGplayer, and only a few sales have been recorded. While the $1,200+ value is amazing right now, this ETB is likely to continue its upward trend, although it will be difficult to find many buyers with the money and interest to purchase this incredibly rare ETB.