Which is Rarer – Gold or Rainbow Pokémon Cards?
As a fellow Pokémon TCG collector, I‘m sure you‘ve experienced the heart-racing thrill of pulling one of those shiny rainbow rare or stunning gold secret rare cards straight from a fresh pack. And you‘ve probably wondered – between these two ultra premium types, which Pokémon cards are more elusive and valuable overall? Read on my friend, and I‘ll walk you through everything you need to know about collecting the most prized rainbows and golds.
Gold Rarity Sets the Standard
Ever since the Gold Star Pokémon era kicked off in mid-2000s sets like EX Team Rocket Returns, gold foil cards have enticed collectors with their elegant beauty and incredible rarity. Among the most sought-after of all, Umbreon Gold Star clocks in with a population of only 55 PSA 10s in existence. With recent sale prices over $1500, that makes the odds of pulling this virtually pristine card about 1 in 25,000 packs!
Modern gold secret rares from Sun & Moon sets keep that regal legacy alive. The shining gold text and artwork of cards like Umbreon GX and Greninja GX are utterly mesmerizing in person. But with pull rates as steep as 1 in 4,000 packs on average, just laying eyes on these golden grails feels like striking lottery luck!
Out of 20,000+ Sun & Moon base set booster boxes opened, the PSA population reports only 18-20 examples of each gold secret rare earning the divine PSA 10 designation. That‘s a mere 0.1% or less! Even settlling for a PSA 9 still means combing through thousands of packs. No wonder so many collectors dream night and day about uncovering these Pot of Gold Pokémon cards!
Spectacular Rainbow Rares Dazzle Collectors
Rainbow rare cards burst onto the scene in 2017‘s Sun & Moon base set, immediately capturing the Pokémon world‘s imagination with their shining prismatic colors. While not as scarce as gold cards, the most popular rainbows like the iconic Rainbow Rare Charizard GX have still earned elite status.
Out of hundreds of thousands of Burning Shadows packs opened over the years, PSA 10 Pop Reports show a scant 1831 Rainbow Charizard GX‘s exist – that‘s around a 1 in 1000 chance for perfection! One PSA 10 on eBay sold for a fiery $780 in September 2022. Even well-loved copies with heavy wear command over $100 thanks to collectors‘ nostalgic love for this radiant lizard.
The Rainbow Charizard craze even spread to 2020‘s Vivid Voltage, with its cracked ice and shining take on the classic dino. BGS 10 Gem Mint copies have fetched north of $1000 at auction! Clearly, while not as rare as gold cards overall, the rainbow treatment drives Charizard prices through the roof.
Comparing True Rarity
So if you had to choose between devoting your resources to hunting precious gold cards versus pursuing spectacular rainbow rares, which offers the smarter investment?
The sheer scarcity of flawless gold cards gives them the slight edge. Those 1-in-4000 type odds are just so brutal! Not to mention the older gold cards from EX era sets will only become harder to find over time. Rainbow rares may come and go, but gold means going for the Pokémon card gold medal.
Yet a PSA 10 Rainbow Charizard will always command a healthy four figure value thanks to its unmatched popularity. So I recommend any collector have a "gold fund" ready for when those golden grails shine, but keep some ammo on hand to chase rainbows as well. This balanced approach will let you maximize your odds of pulling either ultra rare prize.
Just remember – the true pot of gold at the end of any rainbow is enjoying this amazing hobby with people who make it special. Here‘s hoping your next Elite Trainer Box or booster pack delivers that magical golden ticket card! But even if your pulls come up short, remember the fun memories made are what matters most.