2005 Pokemon Japanese Play Promo 40,000 Pts. Holo Espeon Gold Star #25 PSA 10

Established in 2003, the Pokémon Card Game’s Players Club gave trainers a brand-new way to engage with the greater Pokémon community. Serving as the successor to the original Pokémon Fan Club, the PCGP introduced EXP (experience) points as a way for players to earn exclusive promo cards. These EXP points replaced the GET points that served a similar function for the Pokémon Fan Club, though starting in Season 3 of the PCGP, EXP points also contributed to a player’s “level.” Tiered 1-10, this level system provided an added incentive for trainers to gain EXP, as each level awarded an exclusive promo. Upon registering for the club, each player was granted 1,000 EXP points, automatically giving them Level 1 status. From here, however, leveling up was no easy task. While purchasing items off the PCGP website and redeeming barcodes from Pokémon products rewarded small amounts of EXP, the biggest point payouts were tied to more intensive activities. Participating in gym events, submitting Battle Reports, and placing in tournaments were some of the best ways to earn large amounts of EXP, though even then, the most points you could earn in one shot was 500. This was fine for those content to remain at the lower levels, but for savvy trainers looking to claim the most coveted PCGP prizes, they had to grind—and they were well compensated for their trouble. Once a player reached the 10,000 EXP mark, they earned the first of five “Eeveelution” Gold Star promos, with the Level 6 prize being Vaporeon. Thanks to their 2007 English release in the EX Power Keepers and Organized Play-exclusive POP Series 5 sets, these Gold Star cards have since become some of the TCG’s most iconic. However, the original Japanese promos remain the most sought-after, as their tremendous scarcity makes them some of the rarest Pokémon cards produced. In addition to the massive amounts of EXP a player needed to accumulate to earn them, these promos were only available for two years, as 2007’s Season 5 introduced a new selection of level rewards. This stunning Espeon Gold Star promo was the Level 9 reward, costing trainers a whopping 40,000 EXP points (although this PSA slab incorrectly lists it at 50,000). Only 28 copies of this card exist in PSA 10 grade, making this example one of the finest in existence. Though collectors will not need any EXP points to win this auction, the battle to own this historic card is sure to befit a Pokémon master.