What Makes Trophy Cards the Grails of the Hobby?

[smpratte]

It’s just always been the most valuable card. Before the 2004 trophies you mentioned existed. Here is a breakdown from a previous discussion on why the illustrator has always been the most valuable card:

What makes the Illustrator Pikachu so Appealing and Desirable?

The card ticks off all the boxes: Unique art that ties into its release. Golden era, hand drawn, nostalgic design. That release (art contest) was the first of its kind and echoed multiple times throughout the years. The only card to have “illustrator” as the title. Unique pen symbol Very rare Singularity Pikachu

Also something like the 2004 pikas wouldn’t make sense as they are a variant of the actual original trophy cards, the 1997 pikas. The 1997 pikachu trophy cards are the best contenders to the illustrator of being the peak grail.