2005 Pokemon EX Deoxys Holo Rayquaza Gold Star #107 PSA 10 GEM MINT

Long ago, the Pokémon world overflowed with natural energy. So powerful was this energy that it forged two Primal beings from its depths: Groudon, the shaper of continents, and Kyogre, the maker of seas. These super-ancient Pokémon proved natural adversaries, clashing over control of the world’s natural energy and leaving disaster and destruction in their wake. Humanity was powerless to stop the two legendary creatures, but before they could destroy the world completely, a third Pokémon descended from the heavens. As old as time itself, this Pokémon was Rayquaza, and its might was such that it overwhelmed Groudon and Kyogre, forcing them back into the earth where they would slumber for the next 1,000 years. Peace swept over the Hoenn region, and the Draconid people took up the duty of preserving the legend of Rayquaza, knowing that one day, when all hope seemed lost, they would need to call upon the great ruler of the skies once again. Five game generations later, Rayquaza remains one of the series’ most powerful Pokémon and a vital part of Pokémon lore. It is no wonder, then, that following the introduction of Gold Star Pokémon in 2004’s EX Team Rocket Returns expansion set, Rayquaza became one of the next Pokémon to be granted this Special rarity. Gold Star Pokémon were the prime chases of later ex sets, included on the checklist after Pokémon-ex cards which served as the highest rarity up to that point. This was Nintendo’s first attempt at a Special rarity since acquiring the Pokémon card license from Wizards of the Coast, making these cards the spiritual successor to the “Shining” rarity of the later WOTC Neo expansions. Like Shining Pokémon, Gold Star cards feature the Pokémon with their shiny coloration, with Rayquaza depicted as gray instead of its usual green. Unique, however, is the fact that the artwork on these cards expands outside of the portrait box, a defining feature of the Gold Star rarity introduced by longtime Pokémon illustrator Masakazu Fukuda. Of the 700+ issues of this card evaluated by PSA, only 47 have graded PSA 10, making the example on auction even more of a treasure. In your quest to catch ‘em all, will you let this one get away?