Monday, March 18, 2024
HomeMust ReadHow To Tell What Pokemon Cards Are Worth

How To Tell What Pokemon Cards Are Worth

What Is The Psa Grading Scale

Pokemon Cards Value – How To Tell What Your Pokemon Cards Are Worth! (Prices Outdated)
Card Grading Score
Gem Mint condition

Getting a PSA grade can make high-value cards worth even more and can also help you avoid unnecessary haggling or debating with a potential buyer about the condition of the card you have.

When you are looking to buy a card and the seller makes claims to a certain grade, ask for the required documentation from the PSA or the grading number. All grades that get graded by PSA are given a unique ID number that anyone can look up on their website.

This can help potential buyers spot fake Pokémon cards or cards that claim to have been graded when they havent. So if you are planning to get your Pokémon cards and get them professionally graded its important that you hang on to these details.

Lastly, try not to be disappointed if you dont find hidden gems in your collection.


Unfortunately, it is not an all-too-common event that you will discover a card that is worth several thousands of dollars well, this is why rare cards are called rare!

If you are only in it for the money, trading Pokémon cards will likely be a rather disappointing experience.

You can also treat it as a moment of nostalgia and an opportunity to re-connect with a childhood passion, constantly looking at your Pokémon card collection with a cold, monetary appraising stare can often suck the enjoyment that we get from collectible trading card games.

Whether you are a buyer or a seller, I wish you all the best in your future Pokémon trading endeavors!

How Much Are My Pokmon Cards Worth

How much you can sell your Pokémon cards for is mostly dependent on three variables: the cards rarity, which print edition the card came from, and the cards physical quality.


Its important to note that your average Pokémon collection wont make you rich. Most common and uncommon cards are worth less than $1, and even rare cards are usually worth less than $5. However, holographic rare Pokémon cards often go for $15 and upespecially for older cards that have been sitting in your self storage unit for years.

How Do You Identify What Series A Pokemon Card Is From

Just from looking at the Pokemon card, is it possible to determine what series the card is from e.g. Hidden Fates, Steam Siege etc.? The copyright states the year but not which release quarter the card is from.

Each card contains a logo indicating which set it is from. This image was taken from here. A list of all the set logos is available here. I know link only answers are discouraged but there are many of these and can easily be googled.

Dont Miss: Whats Good Against Psychic Pokemon

Read Also: Ralts Pokemon Emerald


Pokemon First Edition Raichu

Sold in March, 2021 for $17,100

As Pokemon skyrocketed in popularity over the years, one character became almost synonymous with the franchise as its de facto mascot.

Much of Pikachu’s popularity originates from the first episode of the Pokemon anime series entitled “Pokemon – I Choose You!” when the main protagonist of the series, Ash Ketchum, a trainer, receives Pikachu as his Pokemon from Professor Oak.

However, when exposed to a Thunderstone, the lovable, yellow, furry, rodent-like creature evolves into the final form of Raichu.

Raichu looks quite similar to Pikachu, but with a few distinct characteristics, namely its tail, ears, and dark coloration of the tip of its paws.


Pokemon World Championship Masters Key

Your Old Pokémon Cards Could Be Worth Up to $12,500
  • Release Date: 2010
  • Grading: BGS 9
  • Pokemon card value at auction: $26,900

In 2010, the best pokemon cards players around the world were flown into Waikoloa Village, Hawaii for the World Championships. Upon arrival, contestants were given a Master Keys Pokemon card.

Because the item was only printed for participants at the tournament, only 36 of these in total were ever created, making it technically one of the most rare Pokemon cards to ever exist in the hobbys nearly 25-year history.

Despite only being intended for those at the event, one of these made there way out to the public and was sold for an astonishing $26,900 in August 2020. A pretty sweet reward to receive 11 years later.

Don’t Miss: How To Get Ditto In Pokemon Sword

The Original Pokemon Base Set

This is one of the most sought after sets by trading card collectors, because it was the first ever English version set to be released in 1999. It also includes the highly valued Base Set Charizard.


This set had three different variants:

  • 1st Edition Shadowless
  • Shadowless
  • Unlimited
  • The 1st Edition is the most sought after followed by the shadowless and then the unlimited version.

    Pokmon Blastoise #009/165r Commissioned Presentation Galaxy Star Hologram

    A two-of-a-kind card that suddenly became one of the most valuable Pokémon cards of all time

    Sold for $360,000 in January 2021

    One of only two such Pokémon cards in existence making it extremely rare this Blastoise suddenly became one of the most valuable Pokémon cards of all time after it sold at auction in January 2021 for a whopping $360,000 .


    The ultra-rare Pokémon card was created in 1998 as a presentation piece by Magic: The Gathering maker Wizards of the Coast to convince Nintendo of Japan executives to allow it to handle the TCGs English-language release. The game would eventually make its international debut one year later in 1999.

    While two Blastoise Presentation cards were produced, this is the only one that has been seen publicly. Even more impressively, it has been graded at a NM/Mint+ 8.5 level by certification website CGC, meaning that the 20-plus-year-old card is in near-perfect condition. The location and state of the other Presentation card remains unknown meaning that this may well be the only such card of its type left.

    You May Like: Are Dittos Rare In Pokemon Go

    Also Check: How To Get Regional Pokemon Without Traveling

    Use Free Valuation Sites

    Another great way to figure out how much a Pokemon card is worth is to use card valuation sites. These websites allow a user to input a couple details about their card, such as its name and number, and be returned with results about its estimated value.


    Websites like CardMavin compile up-to-date information about how much individual cards are selling for across the internet and use that information to make an estimate about the cards current value. This is the easiest way to check what a Pokemon card is going for in the present market.

    Pokemon Cards That Could Be Worth A Ton Of Cash

    How to know what my Pokemon cards are worth.

    In 1995, Satoshi Taijiri created a fictional world where creatures called Pokemon were trained by humans to battle one another. This world was originally meant to be for the Nintendo Game Boy as one o

    In 1995, Satoshi Taijiri created a fictional world where creatures called Pokemon were trained by humans to battle one another. This world was originally meant to be for the Nintendo Game Boy as one of its games, but has since become so much more! Pokemon has evolved into an animated television show, a world famous card game, toys and a new interactive app that has taken the world by storm. Owned by three companies including Nintendo, Game Freak and Creatures , Pokemon has been quite the cash cow.

    Don’t Miss: Shiny Eevee Evolutions Pokemon Go Names

    Holographic Shadowless Charizard: $500000

    There are a lot of factors that make the Holographic Shadowless First Edition Charizard card worth so much compared to any other Charizard card. Firstly, its a first edition version of the undoubtedly most popular Kanto starter, which already makes it extra valuable to most pokemon fans. Alongside this, the card is also shadowless, which essentially means the card lacks a shadow between the box containing the image of the Pokemon, and the rest of the card.


    This Shadowless effect is not a misprint or a mistake. Its actually the original Pokemon card design, as the foiling process has changed and provided a different look to modern holographic and foil cards. These Charizard cards have become one of the prime reasons for the Pokemon Card trend of the past two years, with YouTuber Logan Paul opening one as recently as February 2021 that was estimated by auction site owner Ken Goldin to sell for upwards of $500,000.

    Charmander 1st Edition $330

    Charmander’s value has been all over the place in the last 12 months. After the 2020 summer of record sale after record sale, baby Zard’s value has taken a dip recently, but don’t be surprised if Charmander rebounds due to the power Charizard yields on the market.

    PSA Pop: 1521 – 652 – 661

    Current Value: PSA 10 $1186 PSA 9 $330

    Don’t Miss: Are Mcdonalds Pokemon Cards Real


    Look At Sold Listings For The Same Pokemon Card

    On the left-hand side of the eBay search result, or in the filters tab, you can choose to view only sold listings.

    The reason to do this is sellers will often list cards for more than theyre really worth, resulting in listings going on for months with no one buying the card. But if you view only sold listings, you can instantly see what people are actually willing to pay for the card.

    If your card is in worse than near mint condition, you will need to look through these sold listings for cards in matching condition. Typically, sellers dont put their card condition in the title, so it can be difficult to use the search function to find matching cards.

    Pokmon Japanese Promo Tropical Mega Battle Tropical Wind

    Pokemon Card Values

    An ultra-rare promo card one of only a dozen ever made

    Sold for $65,100 in October 2020

    Only 12 Tropical Wind cards were produced as promo cards for the 1999 Tropical Mega Battle, a precursor to the Pokémon World Championships, making it one of the most valuable Pokémon sets around.

    The Tropical Mega Battle saw 50 players from around the globe take part in a tournament for the trading card game in Honolulu, Hawaii. The only way to participate was to win a battle in your local region and earn an invite, making it an exclusive event for the best Pokémon trainers in the world and the cards offered as prizes some of the rarest Pokémon cards in existence.

    This particular Tropical Mega Battle promo card, the 1999 Japanese-language copy of Tropical Wind, has sold at auction for as much as $65,100 in PSA Gem Mint 10 condition, with the most recent record-breaking sale taking place in October 2020. PSA estimates its value to be as high as $148,482, making the ultra-rare card a contender for one of the most expensive Pokémon cards ever made.

    Recommended Reading: Is Ho Oh A Legendary Pokemon

    Read Also: What Does New Attack Do In Pokemon Go

    Tropical Mega Battle Tropical Wind Trainer Card

    Sold in October, 2020 for $65,100

    Just a bit ago, we saw how expensive the number two trainer card from the 1999 Pokemon Tropical Mega Battle could be even without a numerical PSA grade assigned to it.

    And now we get a look at how expensive the trainer card given to all players who participated at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in 1999 can be if its graded to be in PSA 10 Gem Mint condition.

    This card, featuring Psyduck and Jigglypuff laying sleepily in a hammock in a tropical setting, has become a hobby icon and one of the most sought-after trainer cards.

    The TRAINER text across the top denotes the card type while the text below reads:

    Flip a coin. If heads, remove 2 damage counters from each active Pokemon . If tails, each active Pokemon is now asleep.

    Finally A Quick Word On Card Condition

    Condition and value go hand-in-hand, so its important to be realistic about your expectations.

    Unless kept unopened, cards from 20+ years ago tend to have imperfections.

    This can take the form of scratches, whitening round the edges, creases, bends and dirt.

    Collectors may pay premium for card rarity, but the real premium is in the card condition.

    Many people rediscover their old cards, thinking theyre worth a fortune because of media hype, but the reality is, theyre not!

    There isnt a shortage of old Pokemon cards, but there is a shortage in mint condition.

    If you do possess minty cards, then you may be on to something!

    I dont want to devalue what you have, the nostalgic value is through the roof in my opinion!

    But I hope youll see this as a fair assessment, which will help you when trying to assess the value of your cards.

    Thanks for reading, and feel free to check out some of these additional resources below:

    Don’t Miss: How To Get Metal Coat In Pokemon Go

    How To Spot Fake Pokemon Cards

    Do you want to learn how to spot fake Pokemon cards like a pro? This guide is for you.

    Since the release of Pokemon cards back on October 20, 1996, much has changed. Except fake Pokemon cards!

    Theyre still around, and you still need to learn how to spot them.

    Since some super-rare Pokemon cards are worth a small fortune, this encourages lots of dishonest people to flood the market with fake cards.

    If you dont know how to tell real from fake Pokemon cards, youll have a hard time surviving in the Pokemon TCG world.

    Fake Pokemon cards can cost you lots of money. Not to mention the frustration of finding out that your favorite cards are fake. And thats why weve created this step-by-step guide.

    Instead of nonsense advice like ripping the cards to check the material, this guide gives you a practical, 3-step process that you use to determine the authenticity of a Pokemon card in less than 2 minutes with a systematic process that you can easily follow. Also, make sure to check out our recommended Pokemon card binders list. Gotta keep those authentic Pokemon cards in good shape!

    You can tell if a Pokemon card is fake or genuine by verifying the cards information, then inspecting its design and the material its made of. Heres what you need to do in detail:

    Pokmon Game #15 Venusaur Holo

    How much are your Pokemon cards worth? *SIMPLE and EASY*

    Average Value in PSA 10: $3,605

    The original four Pokémon from the Red, Blue, Yellow and Green versions of the video game are Charmander , Squirtle , Pikachu and Bulbasaur , respectively. Each cute companion got its own version of the game. Just like Raichu, you can attribute Venusaurs popularity to its video game origins and heavy face time throughout the franchise. PSA 10 examples of Venusaurs 1st Edition Holo can grab upwards of $4k.

    You May Like: Where Can I Get My Pokemon Cards Graded

    How To Research Pokmon Card Prices

    If youre looking to maximize your return on selling your Pokémon cards, you will need to do your research. Blindly selling individual cards without doing the legwork on Pokémon card value could end up selling yourself short and giving a collector a great deal.

    The best way to research Pokémon card prices is to look at real life selling history. After all, Pokémon cards are only worth what someone is willing to pay. Check out these three resources to see what your Pokémon cards are worth:

    • eBay has the largest collection of Pokémon cards for sale online
    • com is regularly updated with eBay and Amazon card selling data to reflect the average price of specific cards
    • TCGPlayer is an online store for buying and selling trading cards, with card prices that reflect the average sale price of said cards within the TCGPlayer store

    If you have a lot of Pokémon cards but dont want to go through the hassle of selling individual items, there are places where you can sell Pokémon cards in bulk. Just know that youll be leaving money on the table if you choose to go this route.

    Base Set: Unlimited Edition

    There were reportedly six separate printings of the Unlimited Edition of the Base Set. The first five print runs had a copyright line that read: © 1995, 96, 98 Nintendo, Creatures, GAMEFREAK. ©1999 Wizards.. These five print runs are completely identical, with no way to differentiate between them. The final print run, which was only available in the United Kingdom, can be differentiated by a change to the copyright line which reads, ©1995, 96, 98 Nintendo, Creatures, GAMEFREAK. ©1999-2000 Wizards. Cards from the sixth print run are much rarer due to their limited geographical distribution.

    Unlimited Edition made a number of aesthetic changes to the face of the cards. The overall card appears to be a lighter and brighter printing than the previous Limited Editions. The drop shadow was added behind the art box to add some depth to the card. In addition, certain text, such as the Pokémons HP value, was set in a bold typeface.

    With five to six printings, these cards are by far the most common Base Set cards in existence, and their prices reflect that. Unlimited Edition was printed to meet the insane demand of a public that became obsessed with Pokémon. A Charizard from these printings could fetch about $500 in Near Mint condition from a collector.

    Also Check: Where To Find Eiscue

    Take The Time To Study Their Worth

    As Pokemon re-enters mainstream culture with the release of new video games and movies, expect to see an uptick in buying and selling activity of old cards. But interest doesnt pick up overnight.

    Its not binary in that sense, Pratte says.

    Instead, its a more gradual process where each new Pokemon-related release reminds twenty- and thirty-somethings of their childhood: the crinkling sound of ripping open a new pack of cards followed by a strong whiff of ink as they shuffle through the set, hoping to find something rare.

    But as you rummage through your collection, remember that theres no rush to purge now. Spend some time with your cards. See if theyre valuable. Consider getting them authenticated. Then decide if theyre worth selling.

    After two decades, Pokemon and its card-collecting hobbyists arent going anywhere anytime soon.

    Adam Hardy is a former staff writer for The Penny Hoarder and specializes in stories on the gig economy. Hes a University of South Florida graduate, who studied magazine journalism and sociology.

    RELATED ARTICLES

    Most Popular