Ancient Origins holds a special place in the XY era, blending ambitious art direction with the explosive energy of Mega and Primal Pokémon. Released in August 2015, it pushed card design forward with deep textures, metallic foils, and cinematic illustrations. The set introduced stunning Megas like Rayquaza, Tyranitar, and Ampharos alongside the Primal titans, creating one of the most visually consistent expansions of the decade.
As grading took off in the hobby, PSA 10 examples became highly sought-after, with low gem-mint populations across much of the lineup. Ancient Origins has since evolved from simple nostalgia to an aesthetic benchmark of XY artistry. Below are some of its most coveted PSA 10 cards, ranked by collector prestige, scarcity, and design impact.
13. Hoopa EX #89/98 PSA 10
Hoopa EX brings color and mystique, its swirling hoops and cosmic background fitting the Pokémon’s lore perfectly. The card’s layered foiling is fragile, leading to visible separation or microfractures on many copies. Collectors prize 10s for their clean surface and rich color depth. It usually ranks above mid-tier EXs thanks to its unique design and lore appeal.
12. Kyurem EX #86/98 PSA 10
Kyurem’s Full Art combines icy clarity with bold, frosted textures that shimmer under light. It remains one of the sharper and most balanced EX artworks from the XY era. Centering inconsistencies and surface scratches limit the number of perfect examples. PSA 10 copies sit above average in demand, especially among collectors completing Legendary runs.
11. Sceptile EX #84/98 PSA 10
Sceptile EX channels speed and aggression with a pose that looks ready to strike. The interplay between green hues and mirrored foil highlights gives the card a lively finish. Perfect grades are challenging due to centering and subtle edge whitening. Collectors typically value it above standard EXs but below the set’s full-art legends.
10. Gyarados #21/98 PSA 10
This non-EX Ancient Trait card became a sleeper favorite for its dynamic water swirl and vivid foil. The spiral composition gives Gyarados a dramatic rise across the frame. Few copies achieve perfect centering and gloss preservation, keeping PSA 10s in limited supply. It’s one of the most admired non-ultras from the set.
9. Tyranitar EX #91/98 PSA 10
Tyranitar EX showcases fierce energy with jagged shadows and intense angles. Its foil accentuates depth and weight, enhancing its intimidating presence. Edging flaws are common, particularly along dark areas, reducing PSA 10 populations. When graded perfect, it earns strong collector interest as a companion piece to the Mega line.
8. Giratina EX #93/98 PSA 10
Giratina’s Full Art brings an eerie, celestial tone through swirling lines and dark gradients. The card’s textured foil layers create a ghostly atmosphere that collectors love. The black backdrop exposes even minor print or surface flaws, keeping gem-mint copies scarce. Among EXs, it often lands just below the Primal and Mega tier in market stature.
7. M Ampharos EX #88/98 PSA 10
M Ampharos EX radiates electric energy with bold color contrast and kinetic motion. Its foil reveals hidden textures when tilted under light, showing off one of the set’s most vibrant surfaces. Despite lower competitive relevance, collectors gravitate toward its aesthetic punch. Perfect grades remain relatively few, keeping values resilient.
6. M Tyranitar EX #92/98 PSA 10
This Full Art version of Mega Tyranitar elevates the line with gold accents and heavier texture depth. The design feels monumental, emphasizing Tyranitar’s raw power. Any whitening or print scratches dramatically reduce grading outcomes, so PSA 10s are premium targets. It consistently ranks among the strongest Mega cards in the set.
5. M Sceptile EX #85/98 PSA 10
M Sceptile EX bursts with speed and blade-like foil patterns that amplify its motion. The color saturation and crisp linework make it one of the most appealing Megas visually. Centering remains a challenge, as is surface clouding from print defects. Perfect copies are few, securing it a position near the top of the Mega hierarchy.
4. Lugia EX #94/98 (Full Art) PSA 10
The gold-accented Full Art Lugia deserves mention twice for its sheer visual dominance. The way light interacts with the card’s textured foil and metallic gradients makes it feel alive. PSA 10s are difficult to locate due to production flaws and handling wear. It has become a showpiece for collectors building Legendary showcases from the XY era.
3. Primal Kyogre EX #96/98 PSA 10
Primal Kyogre EX surges with oceanic motion, its swirling water energy rendered through layered blue foils. The card captures raw elemental power, emblematic of the set’s “ancient” theme. Strong centering and surface quality are rare, resulting in low PSA 10 populations. It frequently ranks among the most pursued cards for water-type collectors.
2. Primal Groudon EX #97/98 PSA 10
Primal Groudon EX erupts in molten detail, balancing fiery gradients with intricate gold texturing. Its artwork conveys unstoppable strength and scale. The dark background makes flaws instantly visible, making PSA 10 copies highly limited. It stands just behind Rayquaza in overall desirability but equals it in visual impact.
1. M Rayquaza EX #98/98 PSA 10
The apex of Ancient Origins, M Rayquaza EX embodies everything collectors love about the XY era. Its brilliant gold foiling, razor-precise detail, and cosmic background give it unmatched shelf presence. PSA 10 copies are exceptionally rare due to fragile foil and print alignment. For most collectors, it’s the crown jewel of Ancient Origins and one of the most iconic cards ever produced in the XY generation.
Ancient Origins remains a landmark set where Pokémon’s visual storytelling and high-end grading culture met in perfect harmony. Each of these PSA 10s reflects that balance—bold design, limited perfection, and lasting collector prestige.
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