2004 Pokemon Japanese Clash Of Blue Sky Rayquaza Gold Star Fukuda AUTO PSA 10

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 proved 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. Six 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 the legendary space serpent became one of the first “Gold Star Pokémon” introduced in the Japanese expansion Clash of the Blue Sky (equivalent to the English expansion EX Deoxys). “Star Pokémon” served as the prime Ultra Rare chases of later EX-era sets and appeared on the checklist after Pokémon-ex, which had been the highest rarity up to that point. These cards were Nintendo’s first attempt at a Special rarity since acquiring the Pokémon card license from Wizards of the Coast, making them the spiritual successors 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. In addition to its high grade and low PSA 10 population, this Rayquaza Gold Star features an authentic signature and custom portrait from Fukuda, making it even more of a treasure. In their quest to catch ‘em all, collectors will not want to let this incredible card slip away during this month’s TCG Premier Auction.