M Rayquaza EX

Market outlook

Stable Outlook 8/10

Current references show the card already trading at a mature premium, with recent market data around the same level and only modest short-term movement. Demand remains strong because Mega Rayquaza is one of the most iconic Pokémon of the XY era, but large gains are constrained by the card’s established price level and the availability of graded inventory.[1][3][7][14]

Next months. Likely to remain stable to slightly rising, with grade-sensitive premiums persisting for graded 9–10 and graded 9–10 copies.

Long term. Over 1-3 years, gradual appreciation is plausible if overall Pokémon TCG demand stays strong, but the card is more likely to outperform in top grades than in raw condition due to supply and condition constraints.

History

Rayquaza is a Dragon/Flying Legendary Pokémon introduced in the Pokémon video game series as part of the Hoenn mythos, known in the franchise as the weather guardian who calms the conflict between Groudon and Kyogre. Mega Rayquaza became especially prominent in Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, where it was central to the Delta Episode and gained strong collector appeal because of its dramatic black-and-gold shiny Mega form. The card represents Mega Rayquaza-EX, an ultra-powerful Mega Evolution-era Pokémon card that became one of the standout chase cards of the XY era.[2][6][14]

This card was first released in the Pokémon TCG set Ancient Origins on August 12, 2015, as card 98/98 in the English-language print run.[2][5][6]

• It is the final numbered card in Ancient Origins, making it the set’s secret rare chase slot.[2][3]
• It is a full-art holofoil Mega Rayquaza-EX card with the shiny black-and-gold color scheme associated with Mega Rayquaza’s iconic shiny form.[2][3]
• Market references in 2026 place raw near-mint value around the high hundreds of dollars, while graded 10 examples have sold for well over two thousand dollars and higher in some sales records.[1][3][14]

Rarity and print run

Tier

Secret Rare

Print run

Low

First printed in

Ancient Origins

Demand

Very High

Supply

Low

• It is card 98/98, the top secret-rare slot in Ancient Origins.
• It is a one-print-era card from 2015 with no widely noted alternate set reprints in the provided data.
• High-grade copies are harder to find because full-art holofoil surfaces and edges are prone to wear.[1][2][3]

Collector notes

Condition. Check the usual full-art and holofoil problem areas: whitening on edges and corners, surface scratches visible under angled light, centering, and any print lines or scuffs in the holo layer. Because this is a high-value secret rare, even small flaws can materially affect grade and price.[1][3][12]

Storage. Store it in a penny sleeve and rigid top loader or semi-rigid holder, then keep it in a dry, cool environment away from sunlight and pressure. For graded-worthy copies, avoid handling the surface directly and use archival-safe storage to prevent edge wear and scratching.

Authenticity. Verify the black-light opacity test, rosette dot structure under magnification, correct font weight and spacing, and the integrity of the holofoil pattern; counterfeit cards often fail one or more of these checks.[1] For expensive copies, third-party grading or authentication is the safest route.[1]