After the success of Trainer Gallery (TG) cards in Brilliant Stars, Pokemon quickly followed up with another Trainer Gallery set called Astral Radiance. Sets that contain the Trainer Gallery have a chance of containing 2 hits per pack, since the Trainer Gallery card can be pulled from the reverse holo slot in the pack. This can lead to a much more enjoyable pack opening experience, as you can get way more hits in your booster box as compared to earlier SWSH sets. Likewise, the monetary value of opening a TG set like Astral Radiance has a good chance to be higher than previous SWSH sets as well.

#10. Path to the Peak Gold Secret Rare - 213/189

Right off the bat we have a gorgeous golden secret rare card at #10. Most sets we write about in the SWSH era are dominated by Alternate Art cards, so it is nice to see a gold secret item with beautiful artwork make this list.

Path to the Peak depicts a location in the Crown Tundra of the Galar Region which connects Tunnel to the Top and Crown Shrine. If you aren't looking closely at this card, you might miss the Snom on the left side of the art, which could easily be mistaken for just another golden snowflake.

Path to the Peak Gold Secret Rare - 213/189 is currently valued around $20 at the time of writing.

#9. Double Turbo Energy Gold Secret Rare - 216/189

What is this? I don't think we've seen two gold item/energy cards make a top 10 list since the early days of Sword and Shield. The Double Turbo Energy Gold Secret Rare makes the #9 spot on this list. 

Attaching the Double Turbo Energy to a Pokemon provides bonus energy. However, it also lowers attack damage vs your opponents Pokemon by 20. 

Double Turbo Energy Gold Secret Rare - 216/189 is currently valued around $22 at the time of writing.

#8. Garchomp V Trainer Gallery Ultra Rare - TG23/TG30

Up at #8 is our first Trainer Gallery card, the Garchomp V #TG23. This card features Cynthia with her signature Garchomp. Early in the SWSH era we saw an increase in the value of Full Art Trainer cards. Recently, Japanese markets have seen a huge surge in value for specifically female trainer Pokemon cards. English hasn't quite matched these price hikes, though it isn't surprising to find a card as cool as this in the top 10.

This brings back memories of the Hidden Fates Full Art Cynthia #SV82 which also featured her Garchomp, as well as Lucario. Cynthia was introduced in Generation IV where you eventually face her, alongside her Garchomp, in the Champion battle. 

Garchomp V Trainer Gallery Ultra Rare - TG23/TG30 is currently valued around $23 at the time of writing.

#7. Beedrill V Alternate Art Ultra Rare - 161/189

At #7 we get our first Alternate Art card featured on this list, and it's a great one at that! Beedrill is a largely underrepresented Pokemon from Gen 1, perhaps because Bug Pokemon from Gen 1 simply aren't that popular.

This Pokemon card artwork is awesome, featuring a group of Beedrill flying over a field of flowers in the wild. Beedrill is often depicted as an antagonistic Pokemon, so maybe this pleasant artwork is why so many people resonate with this card.

Beedrill V Alternate Art Ultra Rare - 161/189 is currently valued around $27 at the time of writing.

#6. Full Art Irida Ultra Rare - 186/189

As female Trainers continue to climb in value on the Japanese side, we definitely do see some impact on the English side as well. Years ago, Trainers were completely disregarded as bulk cards, and collector sentiment was largely negative towards them. Today, it is very common for Full Art Trainers and Trainer Gallery cards to make these lists.

Still, it should be highlighted the extreme difference in value between English and Japanese. At the time of writing, this card in a PSA 10 in Japanese is going for around $400, with the English version going for around $100 in the same grade.

Full Art Irida Ultra Rare - 186/189 is currently valued around $28 at the time of writing.

#5. Hisuian Sneasler V Alternate Art Ultra Rare - 175/189

Hisuian Sneasler V comes in as the 5th most expensive card in the set currently - with an amazing artwork that most collectors feel is highly reminiscent of Breath of the Wild for the Nintendo Switch. This Alternate Art card is illustrated by Okacheke, an artist that started with the Pokemon Company during Chilling Reign.

In addition to this Sneasler V, Okacheke illustrated 43 other cards, including the Flareon VMAX Sword and Shield promo card, as well as the Ice Rider Calyrex V Alternate Art in Chilling Reign. 

Hisuian Sneasler V Alternate Art Ultra Rare - 175/189 is currently valued around $30 at the time of writing.

The Origin Forme Dialga V Alternate Art card is a very cool and abstract design. Dialga has the power to warp and control time, and in this card we see elements of this power, such as the different phases of the moon, the repositioning of the sun, and the ripple.

While some collectors find the color design to be a bit odd on this card, we personally love the abstract style and time bending elements that Arita chose for this card, and think it easily deserves a spot as one of the most expensive cards from the set.

Origin Forme Dialga V Alternate Art Ultra Rare - 177/189 is currently valued around $34 at the time of writing.

#3. Starmie V Trainer Gallery Ultra Rare - TG13/TG30

As mentioned before, cards featuring female trainers have grown in popularity recently. It is perhaps no surprise that this Starmie V from the Trainer Gallery makes it so high on the list, as it features the Gen 1 OG and fan favorite Misty, alongside her Starmie.

This illustration by Komayama is the most Summer-vibes thing we have seen to come from Pokemon. Komayama is a powerhouse of an artist starting with Call of Legends, and having done several big hitters, like Miriam #251, Genesect #255, Galarian Zapdos #174, Blastoise & Piplup #215, as well as the XY Warm Pikachu Promo #94.

Starmie V Trainer Gallery Ultra Rare - TG13/TG30 is currently valued around $35 at the time of writing.

#2. Origin Forme Palkia V Alternate Art Ultra Rare- 167/189

Palkia is a legendary pokemon, and part of the Creation Trio alongside Dialga and Giratina. As mentioned before, Dialga is able to control and bend time. Palkia, on the other hand, has the power to create, control, and destroy space. He has been shown connecting dimensions through portals in the anime.

Both Dialga and Palkia are shown in their Origin Formes on these Alternate Art cards. These forms were introduced in Pokemon Legends: Arceus, and aside from a physical change to look more like Arceus, their base stats in the game also change.

Origin Forme Palkia V Alternate Art Ultra Rare- 167/189 is currently valued around $40 at the time of writing.

#1. Machamp V Alternate Art Ultra Rare - 172/189

In a set that was designed with Dialga and Palkia in mind, we love to see that a Gen 1 staple makes the top of this list. Machamp hasn't had too many top-performing cards, with the original Base Set version being one of the most plentiful cards in existence.

This card showcases Machamp in a busy street market setting, using each of his 4 arms to carry different products and goodies. You can also find a few other Pokemon nearby, such as the Trapinch, which seems to be helping carry a basket of fruits.

Machamp V Alternate Art Ultra Rare - 172/189 is currently valued around $110 at the time of writing.