Palkia VSTAR Alt Art Crown Zenith: value and analysis

The Galarian Gallery of Crown Zenith produced some of the most sought-after cards in the modern Pokémon TCG, and the Palkia VSTAR Alt Art price has been one of the most frequent queries among collectors since early 2023. The card in question, numbered GG67/GG70, is a Secret Rare Gold illustrated by Akira Egawa that depicts Palkia in its Origin Forme. It combines several strengths: an out-of-the-ordinary illustration, high rarity and a Legendary Pokémon with strong resonance. Before we get into the numbers, it's important to set a precise framework for what this card really is, because a few misconceptions circulate.

The Crown Zenith - Galarian Gallery set: context

Crown Zenith (Zénith Suprême in French) was released in January 2023 in France, a few weeks after its US release. The set marks the conclusion of the Sword & Shield cycle and stands out for the inclusion of an exclusive sub-set: the Galarian Gallery, made up of 70 cards numbered GG01 to GG70.

This sub-set isn't just a series of classic Illustration Rares. It brings together varied formats: Trainer Gallery with humans in the foreground, VSTAR and VMAX Pokémon in full-frame illustrations, and a few Secret Rares in Gold finish that close out the list. Crown Zenith was distributed primarily through special products (tins, boxes), which mechanically limited the volume of packs opened and maintained upward pressure on the rarest cards.

In this context, the cards GG67 to GG70 constitute the summit of the Galarian Gallery. The Palkia VSTAR occupies position GG67, just before the list's final Secret Rares.

The card in detail

Number: GG67/GG70 Set: Crown Zenith - Galarian Gallery Artist: Akira Egawa Rarity: Secret Rare, Gold Card Official English name: Origin Forme Palkia VSTAR (Secret)

Technically, this is a Gold Holo Secret Rare, not an Illustration Rare or a Special Illustration Rare. The label "Alt Art" is a common shorthand in the community, but technically inaccurate: the gold finish and Gold frame set it apart from the usual SIR cards. It's a detail that matters to graders and savvy buyers.

Akira Egawa's illustration is one of the card's strong points. Palkia in its Origin Forme appears here in a cosmic environment saturated with deep blues and pearly reflections, with a staging that plays on the distortion of space, a direct reference to the Legendary Pokémon's powers. The Gold finish reinforces the premium effect: the golden outlines contrast with the dark background and give the card an immediate physical presence in the hand.

In play, Origin Forme Palkia VSTAR was a competitive piece in some Sword & Shield-era lists, notably thanks to its VSTAR attack. But in the current Scarlet & Violet context, its competitive impact is residual, it's clearly a collector's item.

Market value analysis and current prices

Here are the price ranges observed for the Palkia VSTAR GG67/GG70:

The French value holds around €105 trending on CardMarket, which makes it an accessible card for a Secret Rare Gold of this generation. The English-speaking market shows a slight discount on raw copies, with NMs between $32 and $50, but some sellers ask up to $85 depending on condition and current demand.

The PSA 10 brings real added value: eBay US sales show a range between €100 and €180, a premium of 50 to 70% over raw. For a Gold Holo card, grading is particularly relevant because the gold finish is sensitive to micro-scratches invisible to the naked eye but detected during the PSA examination.

The value drivers

The Pokémon's popularity. Palkia is a fourth-generation Legendary, with a loyal fanbase reinforced by the Brilliant Diamond / Shining Pearl remakes and the game Pokémon Legends: Arceus. The Origin Forme is directly tied to the latter, which gives it a particular aura.

Effective rarity. The Galarian Gallery was only available in specific Crown Zenith products. The GG67-GG70 cards have one of the lowest pull rates in the set.

Print status. Crown Zenith is an end-of-cycle set, unlikely to be massively reprinted. The available stock is therefore structurally limited.

Competitive impact. Nil in the current standard format. The value is entirely carried by collecting, not by gameplay, which makes it less volatile than some actively played cards.

Illustration and finish. Akira Egawa's work is recognized in the TCG community. The Gold + cosmic illustration combination is hard to find in other cards of the same Pokémon.

Should you buy this card?

Arguments for. At €80-120 raw, the card remains affordable for a Secret Rare Gold from a closed set. The value has been stable for several months, which suggests an established floor. Origin Forme Palkia benefits from strong generational attachment, and Akira Egawa's illustration ages well.

Points to keep in perspective. The "Alt Art" label sometimes creates confusion among less experienced buyers, some expect an Illustration Rare or an SIR and end up with a Gold Card. It's not a bad card, but you need to know what you're buying. Furthermore, the PSA 10 at €120-180 means adding grading fees (€20-30 minimum depending on the service): the math is only positive if you find a raw in excellent condition below €90.

Practical advice. If you're aiming for a raw copy for your collection, monitor recent sales on CardMarket and target an NM/Mint around €95-105. If you're considering grading, make sure the corners and the surface of the Gold finish are flawless before sending, a Gold card with the slightest surface defect won't make PSA 10.

Conclusion

The Palkia VSTAR GG67/GG70 from the Galarian Gallery is a card that deserves to be understood before being bought. It's not an Alt Art in the strict sense, but a Secret Rare Gold with a particularly polished Akira Egawa illustration and a Legendary Pokémon that continues to carry value. At a value stabilized around €105, it represents a reasonable entry point for collectors who want a strong piece from the Sword & Shield era without shelling out several hundred euros.

To track its evolution daily without having to comb through CardMarket manually, you can use PokéItem directly in your browser, or download the app on your phone, the page automatically detects whether you're on iOS or Android and redirects you to the right store.