Pulling a Gyarados always feels like a win. There is something about that massive, angry blue shrimp-dragon that just hits different. Whether you’re a 90s kid who remember the terror of Lake of Rage or a modern player looking to splash into the current meta, the question usually boils down to: how much is a gyarados ex worth today?
Honestly? It depends on which "ex" you're talking about. Because in the world of the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG), "ex" can mean a vintage powerhouse from 2004 or a shiny new Tera-type card from last week.
The Big Fish: FireRed & LeafGreen Gyarados ex (109/112)
If you found a card in your attic with a silver, sparkly border and "ex" written in lowercase after the name, you might be sitting on a goldmine. This is the OG. Released in 2004, the Gyarados ex from the FireRed & LeafGreen set is a certified trophy.
Condition is everything here. You can find a "Heavily Played" (HP) copy—meaning it looks like it was shuffled without sleeves by a frantic eight-year-old—for roughly $80 to $110. But if yours is crisp? A Near Mint (NM) raw copy can easily fetch $350 to $500.
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If you go the professional grading route with PSA or CGC, the numbers get wild. A PSA 10 Gem Mint copy of this card recently sold for over $5,500. Even a PSA 9 usually clears $750. It’s one of those cards where a single scratch on the foil can literally cost you thousands of dollars.
The Shiny Red One: Gyarados ex Secret Rare (123/122)
Back in 2016, the XY: BREAKpoint set gave us a Secret Rare that collectors still obsess over. It features a "Shiny" Gyarados—the red version—and the art is genuinely stunning.
How much is a gyarados ex worth from this era?
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- Near Mint Raw: ~$120 - $160
- PSA 10: ~$325 - $360
- Lightly Played: ~$100
This card has been a steady climber. It doesn't have the "vintage" status of the 2004 version yet, but because it’s a Secret Rare and features the fan-favorite Red Gyarados, it has a high floor. You won't find many of these for "cheap" unless they're falling apart.
Modern Splash: Scarlet & Violet Base Set (225/198)
Now, if you just opened a pack of Scarlet & Violet base set and saw a Gyarados ex with a crown on its head (the Tera type), don't go quitting your day job just yet.
This is the Full Art Ultra Rare version. It’s a beautiful card, but it’s much easier to find than its ancestors. Currently, this gyarados ex is worth about $8 to $14 in Near Mint condition. If you manage to get a PSA 10, you're looking at maybe $80.
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There’s also a "Double Rare" version (card number 045/198) which is the basic version of the card. That one is basically "bulk" in the collector world, usually selling for $1 to $3. It's great for playing the game, but not exactly a retirement fund.
Why do the prices move so much?
The Pokémon market isn't like a grocery store; prices change based on who’s winning tournaments and who's feeling nostalgic.
- Playability: If a new card comes out that makes Water-types "broken" in the competitive scene, even the cheap cards will spike.
- The "Swirl" Factor: On older cards like the 2004 ex, collectors look for a little "swirl" pattern in the holofoil. It’s a printing fluke, but people pay a premium for it.
- The "Waifu" Effect (Sorta): Okay, Gyarados isn't a waifu, but it is a "legacy" Pokémon. Like Charizard and Lugia, Gyarados has a dedicated fanbase that buys every version regardless of the price.
How to Check Your Specific Card
Don't just take my word for it—the market moves fast. If you want to know exactly what your card is worth right this second, do these three things:
- Check the Bottom Right Corner: Find the set symbol and the card number (like 109/112).
- Search eBay "Sold" Listings: Don't look at what people are asking for. Look at what people actually paid. People can list a common card for a million dollars; it doesn't mean it's worth that.
- Use TCGplayer: This is the industry standard for raw (ungraded) cards. Look at the "Market Price" for a realistic idea of what you could get if you sold it today.
If you’re sitting on a vintage ex, keep it in a "penny sleeve" and a "top loader." Oils from your fingers can degrade the surface of the card over time, and with the 2004 version, even a tiny fingerprint can be the difference between a $100 card and a $500 one.
Your next move: Dig through your old binders and check the card numbers against a site like PriceCharting or TCGplayer to see if you have the $5 version or the $5,000 version. Once you know the condition, you can decide if it's worth the $15–$25 fee to get it professionally graded.