Southern Islands Reverse Holo Mew: $200
When the second Pokemon movie was released in Japan, the makers of the Trading Card Game decided to release a special edition set of cards to mark this occasion. The Southern Islands card series was born, featuring just two sets of nine cards apiece that were unique to any other set in the game.
Full sets of these cards can sell for a lot, but the absolute highest value is undoubtedly the Southern Islands Mew, which has a rare reverse foil treatment where the frame around the art is the only part thats shiny. Troll and Toad is currently selling copies for just over $200 right now, making it even more valuable than the elusive and stylish Ancient Mew mentioned earlier.
How Many Cards Do I Get In A Pokemon Booster Pack
Each Pokemon Booster Pack contains ten cards. The spread of what you can expect is as follows:
- 3 Uncommon Rarity Cards
- 1 Rare Rarity Card
Each pack is also guaranteed to have one Reverse Holo card, though there are no limits to it always being a rare card or whether you might get a Reverse Holo common card. With the wide variety of Rare Pokemon cards, ranging from a regular Rare card all the way up to the Secret Rare cards there’s no guarantee that you’ll get one of these more sought-after Pokemon.
In a standard Booster Box that contains 36 packs of cards you can expect to come away with the following number of cards
- 216 Common Rarity Cards
What Pokemon Cards Are Worth A Lot Of Money
The 25 Most Expensive Pokémon Cards of All TimePrerelease Raichu Practically Priceless. eBay.The Pikachu Illustrator Over $200,000. eBay. No. 2 Trainer Promo Card $200,000. Kangaskhan Parent/Child Promo Card $133,000. eBay. No. 1 Trainer Promo Card $70,000. Tropical Mega Battle No. 2 Trainer Card $60,000. No. Tropical Wind $10,000.
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Pokemon Card Values What They Should Be Selling For
In the late 1990s, a small toy company from Japan known as Pokemon began manufacturing and distributing what would become wildly popular trading cards. Since then, their popularity has skyrocketed not only trading-card wise, but also in the collecting world.
Because of this new found appreciation for Pokemon card collecting , some valuable finds have since been uncovered, and can be found in your local card shop. One of the most valuable cards by far is the Pikachu Illustrator Promo Card.
Tips To Know Before You Buy A Pack Of New Pokemon Cards
A pack of pokemon cards usually costs around $4, but it may cost more or less depending on the store. Before you buy a pack of new pokemon cards, here are some things you might want to know:
Whats in the packs?
There are 10 cards in a pack:
* 5 that are common cards
* 3 that are uncommon cards
* 1 rare card
Theres also a chance to get a holographic version of any pokemon in the pack, which is the same as getting the regular version except it shines and sparkles when you tilt it.
You cant tell if a card is a holographic version or not, except if its a legendary pokemon. Legendary cards are always holographic versions.
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Look At The Condition Of The Pokemon Card
Using the Pokemon card grading definitions we discussed above, try to gauge the condition of your card.
As long as the card has nothing more than some minor whiting around the edges in small areas when viewed from the back, then you should be safe to assume that the card is near mint or better.
This Shaymin card is in near mint condition, so we dont have to worry about the condition too much. Well discuss what to do if your card is damaged in step 5.
What Characteristics Should I Look Out For
If your card has passed all the tests so far, its time to take a closer look. An easy and dependable way to check if a Pokémon card is fake is to compare it to a real card. Look at the two cards and see if there are any easy-to-spot differences. Does the written text on each card match up word-for-word? For example, a fake might have slightly different description text or a different attack than the original or different punctuation.
Also compare the physical characteristics of the card with the original. Is the card in question the same size as the original? If its larger or smaller than a standard card from the set, its likely a fake.
Image: Sarah Jarvis
Another important consideration is the cardstock. The hardest element of a counterfeit to recreate is the cardstock. Does the card bend in a similar way or does one feel flimsy and bend more easily? Hold the card in question up to a flashlight. Oftentimes, the light will pass through fakes more than a real card because the cardstock isnt as high quality.
Compare the two cards carefully. A common characteristic of a fake card is lower print quality which can lead to slightly blurry text. Compare the text of the card in question to another card. Does the text look a little blurry? A real card will have clean, crisp printing on the font. Fakes will have lower quality print, which is most visible when looking at the tiny text. Also compare the colours on the cards. Make sure that the color saturation is the same.
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What Is The Pokmon Trading Card Game
The Pokémon Trading Card Game emerged in 1996, and its still going strong decades later. This collectible card game is based on the Pokémon universe created by Satoshi Tjiri and artistically designed by Ken Sugimori, which features dozens of fictional creatures all with their own unique strengths, skills, and abilities.
Human Pokémon Trainers try to catch em all, as the saying goes. Trainers catch Pokémon and are able to give them commands and to send them into combat against other Pokémon.
This is the basic concept behind the TCG. Each player acts as a Pokémon trainer, in control of various Pokémon which they can deploy against each other. Pokémon are represented on cards, so your card deck will contain a number of different Pokémon. Remember that each individual Pokémon has its own distinctive abilities.
Once a Pokémon has suffered sufficient damage in battle, it is knocked out, and the opposing player gets a Prize card. Your goal is basically to knock out your opponents Pokémon and draw Prize cards.
Rarity: Is Your Collection All That Special
In terms of rarity, base-set cards are where the money is for most collectors, and these cards are the most traded ones in the hobby. Set cards are any card you can pull from a pack bought from the store, says Pratte. The base set comprises the original 102 cards printed in 1999 and includes classic Pokemon like Pikachu, Blastoise, Charizard and Venusaur.
A complete first-edition base set in mint condition sold for $100,000 in December 2017. If you have a base-set card in your card collection, there are a few visual indicators of its worth.
Holographic cards: These are the most discernable at first glance. The background of the Pokemon illustration is shiny and reflective not the whole card, only the picture of the monster. Theyre typically referred to as holo cards, and only 16 of the original 102 are holo.
First-edition cards: Directly next to the left corner of the illustration appears the edition 1 logo. These rare cards were bought up shortly after initial release and remain some of the most sought-after and valuable cards.
Shadowless cards: This version is almost identical to the first-edition prints but excludes the first-edition logo. If you dont have a newer card for comparison, this is particularly hard to notice: the illustration box appears 2D. On newer cards, the picture box has a shadow along the right border to give it a 3D appearance.
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The Authenticity Of The Pokemon Card
Fake Pokemon cards have become increasingly prevalent in recent years as the Pokemon TCG has become more popular. Theyre commonly found on eBay, at flea markets, and in dollar stores.
Fake cards are not worth anything. Theyre illegal for use in tournaments and collectors will not buy them. Therefore, its important to determine that you have genuine Pokemon cards before you try to sell them.
You can use our guide to fake Pokemon cards to tell if your cards are fake.
Pokmon Base Set 1st Edition Shadowless Holo Venusaur #15
Now were getting somewhere. The final evolution of the starter Pokémon Bulbasaur, Venusaur had a massive part to play in both the games and the anime as one of the mainstays in Ashs party.
It featured on-the-box art for the original Japanese version of the game, although the Green edition was never released worldwide.
With over 137 PSA 10 copies in existence, the original holo Venusaur is clearly a coveted card.
It may pale in comparison to the likes of Blastoise and Charizard, but its still a member of the original trio that players got to choose from.
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Its Not Obvious If My Card Is A Fake
This might sound obvious, but an easy step you can take to verify the card is real is by checking that the card was an actual Pokémon card that was in print at some point. Yes, people do just make up fake cards with unofficial art and sell them online.
You can verify a card with a quick search. The official Pokémon Trading Card Game website has a card database, as does fan site Bulbapedia. Note: the official website doesnt include some special runs of cards, so be sure to look for your card on multiple card directories.
How Do You Know If A Pokmon Card Is Rare
Second, How do I sell Yu-gi-oh cards?
Sell Yu Cards–Gi–Oh : resale simple, fast and at the best price on Rakuten.
Plus, Which Pokemon Card Are Rare?
Lesson 20 cards Most rares and the most expensive in the world …
- Mentali and Noctali with a gold star. …
- Florizarre Edition 1 holographic
- Brilliant Charizard. …
- Booster boxes Pokémon with a black triangle. …
- The cards snapshots. …
- The cards of the tournament Pokémon “Tropical Mega Battle” …
- Tortank Edition 1 holographic.
So Which Pokemon Cards Are Expensive? Pokemon : Here are the 5 cards the most expensive in the world
- Charizard 1st edition Sans Ombre et brillante : 10.000 euros. The value of this carte is related to an error. …
- Promo Ishihara GX : 43.000 euros. …
- Kangourex : 87.000 euros. …
- Illustrator Pikachu: invaluable.
How to recognize a first edition card?
To recognize the cards de First edition, just see if there is a logo 1st edition black on the carte. These are, as their name suggests, cards which have been edited for the premiere times, and this in limited numbers. They can only be found in a booster called ” first edition” page .
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Where To Buy Vintage Pokmon Cards
If you purchase we make a small commission at no extra cost to you, but it helps keep Hobby Help going! Thanks for your support!
If youre looking for a hidden gem that isnt Amazon, Im sorry to disappoint! Its the go-to place for beginner collectors.
That isnt to say that once you get involved in the online Pokémon community, you wont find private sellers who have access to some wonderfully rare cards. You absolutely will.
But you can start with Amazon, especially if youre just dipping your toes in the water.
My favorite Pokémon card sellers on Amazon are:
Bulbasaur 1st Edition $450
One of the most popular Pokemon, Bulbasaur delivers long term. Previously third in the pecking order for PSA 9’s, Bulbasaur is currently higher than Squirtle and Charmander. With low populations, be sure to make Bulbasaur a top priority.
PSA Pop: 783 – 237 – 416
Current Value: PSA 10 $3200 PSA 9 $450
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Black Star Ishihara Signed Gx Promo Card
A card featuring the Pokémon Company’s President himself.
Sold for $247,230 in April 2021
The most recent card to make headlines for pure value, this card sold for nearly a quarter of a million dollars at auction on April 26th 2021. You can find the full details at our story here, but this card depicts Pokémon Company founder and current president Tsunekazu Ishihara, and was given to the company staff as a celebration of the man’s 60th birthday in 2017.
That makes the card rare, but this specific version is even rarer, as Ishihara actually signed this near-mint card to boost its price even further. The “2017 P.M. SM Black Star #TPCi01 Tsunekazu Ishihara Signed Pokémon GX Promo Card”, to use its full title, is a testament to the raw power apparently held by the Pokémon president. The ability “Red Chanchanko” is in reference to the red vest traditionally worn on 60th birthdays in Japan, and prevents the effect of any attack, ability or trainer card against Ishihara. Meanwhile, its GX move “60 Congratulations”, tells you to flip 60 coins, and take a present for each one. A truly legendary card.
Rare And Valuable Cards
Some of the older Pokémon cards have reached true collectible status due to their rarity. If youve been collecting since the 1990s, you might be surprised to find that a few of your cards are now worth astronomical amounts.
Check out this famous video below. Gary goes on Pawn Stars and shows off his insane collection of Charizards!
Which cards rank among the most desirable?
What drives the high prices of these and other super-valuable Pokémon cards? In a word: Rarity. The one factor uniting all of these cards is that they only exist in limited quantities.
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Tropical Mega Battle Tropical Wind Promo
- Release Date: 1999
- Grading: PSA Gem Mint 10
- Pokemon card value at auction: $65,100
While not the most flashy Pokemon card on the list, the Tropical Mega Battle promo is an absolute holy grail for Psyduck fans. It doesnt get more adorable than seeing the Water-type mon playing the ukulele while chilling in a hammock with Jigglypuff.
Long before The Pokemon Company solidified the TCG competitive scene into the World Championships in 2004, one of Japans earlier iterations of the contest was known as the Tropical Mega Battle. In 1999, the tournament was held in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Only 50 players from various countries around the world were invited to compete against one another. Because various Trophy Pokemon cards were given out at the event, the Tropical Wind iteration is incredibly unique. The collectible resurfaced in a PWCC auction in October 2020 and sold for a mouth-watering $65,100.
Pokmon Base Set 1st Edition Shadowless Holo Machamp #8
Heading back to before the turn of the millennium, the 1999 set contains yet another expensive card featuring one of the original 151 Pokémon.
The fighting-type Machamp is the third and final evolution, starting with Machop and Machoke.
As for Machamp, hes flexing two of his four arms in the image, surrounded by a holo swirl of energy.
There are just a handful of pristine shadowless first edition versions, which makes sense as it wasnt particularly sought after in the first place.
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Identify Type And Assess Rarity
The first step to identify if a card is potentially worth anything substantial is to check its type and rarity. In other words, how likely the card is to come across from any given booster pack or special event, and if it has any special characteristics, such as card material or Pokemon types.
There are a few indicators of rarity on any given card, though theyre quite subject to change depending on when said card was printed. A marker near the bottom of the card or near its name will indicate rarity: a circle means the card is common, a diamond means its less common, and stars mean its rare. More stars or with combinations of letters or symbols mean extra rare, including if those symbols are in the name or elsewhere on the card. Other characteristics that can up the rarity include: a higher printed number than there should be in a given printed set holographic artwork or reverse holographic, in which everything but the artwork is holographic artwork that takes up the full card artwork wherein the creature doesnt cast a shadow and any shining characteristics, not to be confused with holographic.
While rarity isnt the only factor in appraising value, its certainly a major factor: Some of the highest-selling cards worth tens of thousands of dollars, or considered priceless from lack of supply, are only so because of small rarities like misprints or typos.
