- Base set Charizard
- Ancient Mew
- Pikachu Victory medals
- Scream Promos
- Japanese pikachu promos
- Shining Mew
- Cards that evoke some kind of emotional reaction, e.g. something from your childhood, favorite pokemon, or artwork that resonates with you for whatever reason.
- Anything you like!
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any pokemon video game and any card. Doesn’t matter which one.
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Ancient mew or base unlimited Charizard
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When we were kids, the largest toy store in my area could not sell these off… reduced the price to 40cents…
we bought about 10 of them because they were cheaper than booster packs.
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~~These three are the most special to me:
- My first complete set of no-rarity cards (which I assembled nearly 20 years ago when people on the Internet were still telling me the no-rarities were “fake cards”)
- My off-center, banged-up, no-rarity Pikachu autographed by Ikue Otani
- My Tropical Mega Battle No. 1 Trainer
My collection might not be the largest or most impressive or minty fresh, but it’s just right for me.~~
EDIT: I totally didn’t pay attention when first replying to this thread. I’ve tried to correct my error by posting a more thoughtful answer below. (Thanks to @quuador for gently pointing out my mistake!)
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This thread is about cards that should be in anyone’s collection no matter their collection interest. Not sure those cards you’ve named apply to that thought. 
I am very jealous of that Ikue Ōtani signed Pikachu NR card, though.
And to contribute to this thread myself, I’d say just any Pikachu, any Charizard, any Mewtwo, and any Bulbasaur (you can choose which ones).
In addition to that, one of each Pokémon TCG Type: Psychic, Lightning, Fire, Fighting, Water, Grass, Colorless, Darkness, Metal, Fairy, and Dragon. (Feel free to also add a Crystal and Rainbow type if you’d like.)
Greetz,
Quuador
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Oh! Sorry! I should have been paying closer attention. OK, here’s one that I think should be in everyone’s collection:
At least one card – doesn’t matter which card it is – that shows all the signs of having been a lovingly mishandled by a young collector.
Chipped edges, creases, dinged corners, you name it.
It could be a card from your own childhood collection, a hand-me down from an older sibling or cousin, or just something you found at a flea market or yard sale.
What’s the value of a card like that? It serves as a joyful reminder of childhood and all that we treasure about the hobby.
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Oh, that’s a great one! Especially since it can essentially be any card. A card that in its current condition is probably worthless, but to the owner with the nostalgic memories of our youth are priceless. 
Greetz,
Quuador
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An Illustrator, obviously!
We all know of the unspoken rite of passage where every collector is passed one of the 36, before they must pass it on to the next person, and so on.
No, seriously though, the only two things I think everyone “must” have, are:
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At least one card that you have a sentimental attachment to, and can serve as a reminder why you’re in the hobby.
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A card you traded for. Can’t uphold the spirit of a TRADING card game if you’ve never traded a card.
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What I consider that every Collector needs to have in their collection is:
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Birthday Pikachu
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An Illustrator card from one of the drawing contests
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Pokemon Scream and Mario/Luigi Promos
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I know this should go in the unpopular opinions thread, but I’m not a big fan of Mewtube
which is why this thread is a fun thought experiment 
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I think every collector has to have the following two cards:
- Base Set Charizard (or any reprint using the original artwork)
- Base Set Pikachu (or any reprint using the original artwork)
They’re both really easy to get at every price point and are iconic to the hobby.
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These are awesome and highly desireable, but I think there aren’t even enough in existance for every self-identifying collector. Would limit the amount of “tru collectors” quite a bit.
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A lot of great ideas here. I originally made this thread thinking of tcg items like the silver bible, which is a helpful resource for Japanese collectors. I don’t think everyone needs to own this book though. Are there other similar items that are commonly owned by collectors and considered staples in your particular niche?
We all have personal preferences but the majority really like this card since it was first leaked.
My must have for a very long time is an unlimited World Champions Pack (my highest priority) and also some cards like Umbreon 025/P, Sunset Mew PSA 10.
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Wtf are you doing if you don’t have this card in your collection
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I agree with a lot of those that have been said here (Ancient Mew - only card to transcend language or country; Base Charizard - signature card for the hobby and most recognisable to those outside it).
The only card I would suggest that hasn’t been mentioned is the Ivy Pikachu. Literally the first ever TCG card (with Jigglypuff, as a Corocoro promo), and the first English promo also. It has such history, has had loads of notable re-releases (including the famous Jungle error), has an very rare (only 2000 printed of the corrected Corocoro) chase variant, but all other versions remain very accessible to this day.
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boxes full of commons that you have no clue what to do with.
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Personally, I think everyone should own at least one card they can stare at for five minutes like a kid, and not get bored. Everyone’s cards will vary, but that is my goal when searching for cards.
I’ve recently been hunting Art Academy and the individual touch to each artwork is so cool!
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