XY PSA 10 Guide
Set History & Release Context
Collection X is the Japanese XY-era launch expansion, released on December 13, 2013 as the paired sister set to Collection Y. It is the first Japanese expansion built around Generation VI Pokemon from the Kalos region and the first set to introduce Mega Evolution mechanics and the Fairy type to the Pokemon TCG (Bulbapedia accessed 2026-05-09).
The paired-set structure is type-asymmetric: Collection X concentrates on Xerneas as the box-art Pokemon while Collection Y leads with Yveltal, with overlapping but not identical card pools. Both sets feed into the English XY base set released February 5, 2014, which combines and expands them to 146 cards.
Collection X's set symbol matches the broader XY-series symbol used through subsequent Japanese expansions in the era. The set established the XY-era card frame that would persist until the Sun & Moon transition in late 2016.
XY PSA 10 Cards
5 cards
オカルトマニア SR XY
XY · #181 · Japanese
ルギア ミラー THE BEST OF XY
XY · #102 · Japanese
ピカチュウ 2017 XY
XY · #029 · Japanese
Skarmory EX (Full Art Secret Rare)
XY · #062 · Japanese
世界116枚ピカチュウ プロモ ブラックメガサーナイト
XY · #064 · Japanese
Top Chase Cards Explained
Xerneas EX is the headline chase as the box-art legendary, with Yveltal EX appearing as the cross-set counterpart. M Blastoise EX is a Mega Evolution chase printed at high rarity, representing the first generation of M Pokemon-EX cards in the TCG (Bulbapedia accessed 2026-05-09).
Full-art EX variants of the Kalos legendaries and the M Blastoise EX secret-rare slot drive the steepest PSA 10 premiums. Because Collection X is the inaugural Mega Evolution set, M Blastoise EX carries first-of-mechanic historical weight that sustains demand beyond pure aesthetic value.
Investment Analysis
Collection X is a vintage-adjacent set in 2026 terms (12+ years from release) and carries a triple historical-firsts thesis: first XY-era set, first Mega Evolution set, and first Fairy-type set. PSA 10 populations on the EX and M-EX chases are substantially smaller than Sun & Moon-era equivalents because the era predates the modern collector grading boom. The set is also out of all current formats, removing playable demand and leaving the price floor entirely on collector and nostalgia signals.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between Collection X and the English XY base set?
Collection X is the Japanese launch expansion (60 cards, Dec 13 2013). The English XY base set (Feb 5, 2014) is a combined and expanded localisation drawing from both Collection X and Collection Y, totalling 146 cards.
When was Collection X released?
December 13, 2013 in Japan (Bulbapedia accessed 2026-05-09).
What new mechanics did Collection X introduce?
Mega Evolution Pokemon-EX (3-prize attackers) and the Fairy type. M Blastoise EX is the headline first-generation Mega card in the set.
Why is Xerneas EX significant?
Xerneas is the Collection X box-art legendary and the first Fairy-type EX printed in the TCG. Its full-art and EX variants are the set's defining collector chase.
Is Collection X tournament legal?
No. The XY era rotated out of Standard in 2017 and is no longer legal in current Standard or Expanded formats.
Where does the 'X' in the set name come from?
It references Pokemon X, the Game Boy / 3DS title released October 2013 that the TCG era was built around. Collection X pairs with Collection Y, mirroring the dual-version game release.