2026 Pokemon Ascended Heroes: Mega Dragonite ex SIR 290/217 sales jump in late March
Mega Dragonite ex SIR 290/217 from 2026 Pokemon ASC EN-Ascended Heroes is quickly establishing itself as one of the set’s defining modern chase cards. In a short window from Feb. 8 through March 20, 2026, a run of completed eBay sales showed repeated demand across raw near mint copies and PSA 10 slabs, with prices clustering in the high hundreds for raw and pushing past $2,000 at the top end in gem mint.
For collectors tracking the early market of a new flagship card, the key takeaway is consistency. Multiple transactions landed within a relatively tight band for raw copies, while PSA 10 sales showed a premium that looks more like a true trophy card than a routine modern graded flip.
Why this card is special
The Ascended Heroes SIR treatment gives Mega Dragonite ex a true centerpiece look. Special Illustration Rares are designed to be more than a portrait, and this one plays like an event poster. The art style is built for display, which matters because modern collectors are not only chasing competitive play pieces. They are chasing cards that present like wall art in a slab.
Dragonite has long been one of the franchise’s most recognizable “star” characters, and this Mega evolution version leans into that reputation. For longtime Pokemon fans, Dragonite is an original-era icon that bridges generations: it is a familiar face for early collectors and still a top-tier favorite for newer fans. Cards like this tend to attract multiple buyer types at once, including character collectors, set builders, graded-card investors, and people who just want one big signature card from a release.
That mix can create early stability, even before the broader set fully settles. When one card has cross-category pull, it often becomes a reference point for the entire product, especially in the first months of availability.
About the “athlete”: Dragonite’s star power in the hobby
In the sports-card world, the biggest prices usually track the biggest names. Dragonite occupies a similar role in Pokemon collecting. It is not a niche fan favorite that spikes and fades. It is a franchise staple with staying power, and the character’s track record is strong across multiple eras of the TCG.
Dragonite’s appeal is also unusually broad. It is a dragon, but it is not presented as a villain. The design reads as powerful without being overly aggressive, which gives it a wider collector base, including fans who prioritize personality and nostalgia over “edgy” aesthetics. That matters for long-term liquidity, because it keeps the buyer pool larger than it might be for a darker, more polarizing character.
When you add the “Mega” label and a premium illustration slot, the card starts to behave more like a franchise headliner. It is the kind of single-card target that can motivate sealed openings and then become the reward card that people either hold or immediately grade.
Recent eBay sales (completed) for Mega Dragonite ex SIR 290/217
Below is a recap of notable completed sales from Feb. 8 through March 20, 2026, pulled from the notes provided. Conditions and formats vary, so collectors should consider whether shipping and best offer outcomes are included in the headline price.
- Feb. 8, 2026 - Raw NM (“Mega Dragonite ex 290/217 ME: Ascended Heroes Pokemon NM”) - $710.00 (34 bids), free delivery, United States
- Feb. 25, 2026 - PSA 10 (“2026 POKEMON ASC EN-ASCENDED HEROES #290 MEGA DRAGONITE EX PSA 10”) - $2,300.00 (37 bids) + $5.99 shipping, United States
- Mar. 13, 2026 - PSA 10 (“Pokémon Mega Dragonite ex 290/217 Ascended Heroes PSA 10”) - $1,950.00 (1 bid, best offer accepted) + $5.29 shipping, United States
- Mar. 16, 2026 - PSA 10 (“2026 POKEMON ASC EN-ASCENDED HEROES #290 MEGA DRAGONITE EX PSA 10”) - $2,100.00 (or best offer) + $5.99 shipping, United States
- Mar. 19, 2026 - Raw (“Mega Dragonite ex 290/217 Me: Ascended Heroes Holo”) - $720.00 buy it now + $5.07 shipping, United States
- Mar. 20, 2026 - Raw NM pack fresh (“Pokémon TCG Ascended Heroes Mega Dragonite ex SIR 290/217 - NM - PACK FRESH”) - $800.00 (best offer accepted), free delivery, United States
- Mar. 20, 2026 - Raw NM freshly packed (“Pokémon Mega Dragonite EX SIR 290/217: Ascended Heroes NM *Freshly Packed*”) - $545.89 (2 bids) + $18.19 shipping, Canada
- Mar. 20, 2026 - Raw NM pack fresh (“Pokemon Mega Dragonite Ex SIR 290/217 Ascended Heroes - NM / Pack fresh!”) - $671.55 (or best offer) + estimated shipping, United Kingdom
What the prices say right now
In this sample, raw near mint copies generally traded in a band from the mid-$500s to around $800, depending on listing format, timing, and location. The spread makes sense for a modern chase card with fast-moving supply. A clean buy-it-now at $720 and an accepted best offer near $800 show that buyers were willing to pay up for immediate delivery and a strong condition claim like “pack fresh,” even though “pack fresh” is not a guarantee of grading outcome.
The lowest noted raw sale, $545.89 out of Canada with shipping added, is a reminder that auction format and international markets can create temporary discounts, especially when the bidder pool is smaller or when shipping costs discourage marginal buyers.
For PSA 10s, the data points show a range roughly from $1,950 to $2,300, with multiple sales in the $2,100 area. That premium over raw is substantial and suggests collectors are treating the gem mint copy as the true “headline” version. It also shows that grading is not automatically priced in for raw copies, even when they are described as near mint and pack fresh.
PSA 10 premium and what collectors are paying for
In modern Pokemon, the best cards often have two markets: the raw market for collectors who want the card now, and the graded market for collectors who want the safest long-term display piece. The PSA 10 sales here reinforce that separation.
Buyers paying over $2,000 are paying for a few things at once: the top grade, the visual presentation in a slab, and the relative scarcity of true gem mint copies compared to the number of raw pulls. Even with strong centering, modern quality control can be inconsistent enough that not every clean pull crosses into PSA 10 territory.
Collectors should also note the difference between a high-bid auction result and a one-bid listing where a best offer was accepted. Both are real sales, but they can reflect different seller urgency and different buyer behavior. The higher end, $2,300 with 37 bids, is a clear example of broad demand in a competitive sale format.
Raw copy notes: “pack fresh” is not a grade
Several listings describe the card as “pack fresh” or “freshly packed.” That language can be useful, but it should not replace close inspection. Centering, edge wear, surface lines, and print issues can all be present straight from the pack.
For collectors shopping raw at this price level, the practical approach is simple: prioritize listings with clear front and back photos, look closely at corners and edges, and do not be afraid to pass if the images are low resolution or taken at angles that hide whitening.
What to watch next
- Population growth in PSA 10 - As more copies get graded, the PSA 10 price can soften if supply ramps quickly. If the gem rate is low, the premium can hold.
- Raw market stability - If raw continues to clear consistently near the $700 level, that becomes the working benchmark for collectors and sellers.
- International pricing gaps - Canada and UK results in this sample came in lower than the top US raw numbers, but shipping and bidder pool size can be the difference. Tracking more sales will show whether that gap persists.
- Listing language vs. evidence - As the card gets hotter, more listings will lean on “pack fresh” and “NM.” Photos, return policies, and seller history will matter more, not less.
Collector takeaway
Mega Dragonite ex SIR 290/217 is behaving like the kind of modern flagship card that can anchor a set’s identity. The raw market is active and relatively consistent, and PSA 10 copies are commanding a clear trophy-level premium. For collectors deciding between raw and graded, the current pricing suggests the market is still assigning meaningful value to certainty, not just the card itself.
With Dragonite’s built-in popularity and the SIR presentation doing its job as a display piece, this is a card that is likely to stay in the conversation as Ascended Heroes matures. Collectors who want a clean copy for a personal collection may find the raw market offers the most flexibility, while those who want the top-end version are paying accordingly for PSA 10 scarcity and presentation.
