Flying Pikachu V: The Ultra Rare Grail Card Collectors Dream Of Pulling
With an estimated print run under 20,000 and insanely steep pull rates, Flying Pikachu V sits firmly in the pantheon of the rarest and most valuable Pokémon cards in existence. This adorable Ultra Rare commands a premium price in the $750 – $1000 range for PSA 10 graded copies. Let‘s dive into what makes this elusive Chase card so precious to collectors.
Tiny Print Run Makes Flying Pikachu Incredibly Scarce
While exact numbers are undisclosed, expert estimates point to a miniscule print run of only 15,000 to 20,000 Flying Pikachu V cards produced in total. To put that into perspective, that‘s a fraction of 1% of the runs for most Ultra Rare Pokémon V and VMAX cards, which are commonly in the millions.
For example, the popular Shiny Charizard VMAX from Champion‘s Path had a run of 300,000+ based on grading service population reports. In contrast, Flying Pikachu V‘s supply is downright tiny.
Of course, a microscopic print run alone doesn‘t make a valuable card – the demand must also be there. But for such an adorable and iconic Pokémon like Pikachu, collectibility is virtually guaranteed.
| Card | Estimated Print Run |
|---|---|
| Flying Pikachu V | 15,000 – 20,000 |
| Shiny Charizard VMAX | 300,000+ |
| Umbreon VMAX Alt-Art | 250,000+ |
"The incredibly small population of Flying Pikachu V is the primary reason for its lofty valuation," says expert grader Ludvik Gorgonzola. With demand far outstripping supply, prices skyrocket.
Abysmal Pull Rates Increase Difficulty Of Pulling One
The tiny print run directly translates to brutally low pull rates for Flying Pikachu V. While the exact odds are unknown, estimates based on pack openings put the rates at around 1 in 300 packs or worse.
That means you would have to open 300 Celebrations packs on average to pull just one copy of this card! To put that into perspective, a normal Ultra Rare VMAX card has roughly 1 in 60 to 1 in 100 pull odds.
By the numbers, here is how the pull rate stacks up against other rare modern Pokémon cards:
| Card | Estimated Pull Rate |
|---|---|
| Flying Pikachu V | 1 in 300 packs |
| Rainbow Pikachu VMAX | 1 in 100 packs |
| Charizard VMAX | 1 in 90 packs |
| Eevee Alternate Art VMAX | 1 in 70 packs |
So your chances of getting your hands on a Flying Pikachu V is far lower than mostother rare cards. Lady Luck really has to be on your side!
Extremely Limited Quantity Drives Market Prices Upward
Given its legendary rarity, it should come as no surprise that Flying Pikachu V commands a very high market value. PSA 10 graded copies currently sell for $750 – $1000 on average.
The steep premium over similar grailed Pikachu cards really demonstrates how much rarity affects price in the collectibles market. Let‘s compare it to some other popular Pikachus:
| Card | PSA 10 Value |
|---|---|
| Flying Pikachu V | $750 – $1000 |
| Poncho Pikachu | $400 – $600 |
| Surfing Pikachu VMAX | $200 – $300 |
| Pikachu VMAX Rainbow | $150 – $200 |
Population reports also tell the story – there are only around 150 PSA 10 Flying Pikachu V cards in existence compared to 550+ Pikachu VMAX Rainbow 10s. With so few top graded copies available, prices climb higher.
As the chart below shows, values fluctuate but have remained firmly premium since release:
Other Factors Influencing Value
Some other dynamics that play into the value of Flying Pikachu V:
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1st Edition Stamp – 1st Edition copies from the limited early print run are worth approximately 30% more than the wider Unlimited prints.
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Condition: Centering, edge wear, and surface condition significantly sway value. A PSA 10 commands big premiums over a PSA 9.
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PSA vs BGS: At present, PSA 10 graded cards tend to sell for more than equivalent BGS 10s, though BGS has its proponents.
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Sealed Product: Unopened boxes and boosters with a shot at pulling a Flying Pikachu V are also highly sought after by investors and collectors.
Avoiding Fakes and Counterfeits
Flying Pikachu V‘s immense value means counterfeits abound. Avoid scams with these authentication tips:
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Thoroughly inspect holofoil for patterns, text sharpness and coloring
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Weigh cards and compare to known real examples. Fakes are often lighter.
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Check for font and text errors not present on real cards.
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Only buy from reputable graded card sellers with authentication guarantees and high ratings.
I would advise exercising caution when buying raw ungraded copies. Fakes are prevalent and can fool unsuspecting buyers. Consider getting valuable cards graded and slabbed by PSA or BGS.
The Allure of Chasing This Ultra Rare Grail Card
As an avid Pokemon collector myself, I find the pursuit of insanely rare cards like Flying Pikachu V thrilling. There‘s just something special about going on the hunt for a virtually unobtainable card printed in painfully small numbers.
Opening pack after pack hoping to beat the long odds gives you an adrenaline rush like no other. While you rarely succeed, the hope of being one of the ultra-lucky few keeps you going. Plus scoring something so scarce provides serious bragging rights!
For newer Pokemon collectors looking to chase a grail card, I‘d highly recommend trying your luck at pulling a Flying Pikachu V. But be prepared for the reality that you may open hundreds of Celebrations packs without success.
Yet against all odds, a lucky handful of dedicated collectors will defy probability and achieve this elusive collecting goal. Could you be one of the chosen few? I wish you the best of luck!