Pokemon Just Had Their 25th Anniversary
Image credit: Pokemon
February 27th, 2021 marked the 25th Anniversary of the launch of the Pokémon franchise. With that milestone in mind, Pokemon had major new releases including Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Pokémon Shining Pearl, which launched in late 2021, and Pokémon Legends: Arceus, which launched in early 2022. All three games are available exclusively on the Nintendo Switch system.
New Pokemon Snap launched on April 30, 2021, also on Nintendo Switch, in which players act as Pokemon photographers in the Lental region, working with Professor Mirror on an ecological survey. These photos receive a score of one to four stars based on how rare the behavior displayed in the photo is. Players are able to share the photos with others around the world and compete through ranking systems.
Special Cards To Keep An Eye Out For
Aside from the various rares mentioned above, there are a few unique traits worth looking out for that can mean a Pokemon card has high value. These are often printing errors or limited distribution that led to a card becoming extremely precious to collectors. Sometimes these cards look no different than others of the same kind at first glance and require special attention to identify, so look carefully!
Charmander 1st Edition $300
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: 652 – 661
Current Pokemon Card Value: PSA 10 $979 PSA 9 $300
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Bulbasaur 1st Edition $25880
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: 309 – 814
Current Pokemon Card Value: PSA 10 $1800 PSA 9 $258.80
Base Set Shadowless 1st Edition Charizard: $420000
Charizard cards are generally more sought after than others, and its been this way since 1999. Thats one reason why this Base Set Charizard card from 1999 is so valuable today. At the PWCC Auction in March of 2020, the card sold for a record-breaking $420,000. However, a few months later, another card would swoop in and grab the World Record title.
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Identifying Valuable Pokmon Cards
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.
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Torchic Gold Star Holo Team Rocket Returns
- Release Date: 2004
- Grading: PSA Gem Mint 10
- Pokemon card value at auction: $25,400
In 2004, TPC introduced Gold Star Pokemon cards to drum up interest in the hobby again. The new line of collectibles had a low print-run and made their debut alongside the criminally underrated Team Rocket Returns expansion.
Due to its insane popularity, Hoenn Fire-type starter Torchic instantly became one of the most rare Pokemon cards released that year. And whats not to love about it, its easily one of the most adorable artworks to ever grace a TCG release.
The specially marked collectible went up for auction in 2020 and sold for $25,400. That is a mind-blowing amount considering the same item was selling for around $300 in 2016, making the Pokemon cards value an 8,000% increase in just four years!
Pokmon World Championships No 1 Trainer
Every copy of this rare and valuable promo card is one-of-a-kind
Sold for $31,200 in April 2021
The first of two rare and valuable Pokémon cards called No. 1 Trainer on this list, this particular card was awarded to winners of the regional Battle Road Spring tournaments held in Japan during early 2002.
The regional tournaments were held as qualifiers for the Pokémon World Championships, with the small number of No. 1 Trainer cards produced for the few winners making them some of the rarest Pokémon cards in existence.
Adding to the card’s rarity is the fact that each No. 1 Trainer card was customised with the name of the tournament winner printed onto the card, making each card one-of-a-kind. According to auction house Heritage Auctions, the personalised aspect of the cards also mean that they rarely appear at auction, making them an even rarer sight in the world of Pokémon cards.
The 2002 No. 1 Trainer card was illustrated by Ken Sugimori, best known as being one of the original artists and designers for Pokémon’s first generation of 151 Pokémon. The text on it reads: “The Pokémon Card Game Official Tournament Battle Road Spring 2002 champion is recognised here, and his honour is praised.” Sugimori’s No. 1 Trainer artwork – featuring fan-favourite Pokémon such as Pikachu, Chansey and Marrill – is exclusive to the card, making it especially unique.
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Pokemon Promo No 2 Trainer World Championships: $110100
Even runners-up get big prizes at World Championships, with all three finalists at Anaheim, California’s 2006 championships each receiving a copy of this massively valuable card. Winning the card in 2006 automatically granted entry to the finalist in 2007 as well, bypassing the whole organised points play system they would otherwise need to work through.
In February 2021, PWCC sold a PSA 9-graded copy of the card for $110,100. The fact it wasn’t even in pristine, PSA 10 condition and still sold for six figures should go some way to show the value of this card.
Identify Type And Assess Rarity
The first step to identify Pokemon card value 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.
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Examine Current Prices Online
While youll typically find the Pokémon cards worth hundreds of thousands of dollars for sale at auctions, you can find plenty of cards worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars online. Visit online sales platforms like:
- Facebook Marketplace
Then use the search function to determine your cards current monetary value. Look through multiple listings on multiple sites to get a good idea of the cards average price. Pay attention not just to price, but also the highest price that actually sold.
Psa 10 Charizard Gold Star Delta Species Holo Dragon Frontiers: $25400
The first of three Gold Star cards on this list, and surprisingly only one of two Charizards. Dragon Frontiers’ Charizard Gold Star was one of the first times it was seen in its iconic black shiny colouring, which alone is usually enough to make a card shoot up in value.
In February of 2021, PWCC Auctions sold a PSA 10-graded Charizard Gold Star for a massive $25,400. Other sales tend to come a bit lower, although copies have sold for as much as $60,000 in unverified Ebay auctions.
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The Pokmon Collecting Craze
Media Factory introduced Pokémon cards to the Japanese Market in 1996. It took three more years until their release in North America. From 1999 to 2003, Wizards of the Coast owned the license for the game. In mid-2003, they handed over the license to Pokémon Company International.
Pokémon cards boasted widespread popularity ever since their initial release. But in mid-2020, at the pandemics height, fans of the franchise used their free time to reengage with their childhood hobby. A massive surge in popularity followed, boosting the value of increasingly rare cards.
Because Wizards of the Coast only produced the cards between 1999 to 2003, these sets are limited. The most valuable of these early cards come from the 1st Edition Base Set, followed by Shadowless and Unlimited sets.
A few factors impact the actual amount of money you can make selling your old Pokémon cards. The most valuable cards are, of course, in pristine condition and come from an exclusive set. It helps if they have received an excellent grade from a professional third-party grading service. On top of that, you must have the business and marketing skills to connect with the right buyers, avoid scammers, and present your products professionally.
Well cover everything you need to know to turn Pokémon card flipping into a side hustle a little later on. First, lets fantasize about your earning potential by gaping at the top five most expensive Pokémon cards to date.
Number : Blastoise 1998 Commissioned Presentation Galaxy Star Hologram
If you havent heard about this one-of-a-kind rarity, be prepared to be blown away.
Before Wizards of the Coast began publishing English Pokémon cards in 1999, they created test prints to determine what the final print of the TCG line would look like. Early Pokémon TCG test prints included examples of Blastoise, Charizard, and Growlithe. Some test prints were printed early enough to be missing the iconic Pokémon backing. Instead, some test prints feature a Magic: The Gathering backing or a blank back. There are currently five Blastoise test prints accounted for, but none of them are rarer or more expensive than this Galaxy Star hologram.
Wizards of the Coast printed test prints for two reasons first, to use as a reference when printing cards or making changes, and second, to send to retailers to give them an idea of what the upcoming Pokémon TCG would look like. In the case of this Blastoise test print, Wizards of the Coast commissioned the print to send directly to retailers for display purposes. Only two of these commissioned presentation cards exist, with only one graded and accounted for. Its rarity is unparalleled, and its value is astronomical as a result.
The only graded copy of the Blastoise 1998 Commissioned Presentation Galaxy Star Hologram sold in a 2021 Heritage Auctions sale for $360,000. If it ever comes back to auction, we know itll be worth a pretty penny then, too.
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Most Expensive Pokemon Cards In 2022
It should be noted that top lists are almost always up for debate. A cards value can be determined by the highest its ever sold at auction, or what it sells for on average.
A Pokemon cards value can also wildly fluctuate with the market and are largely dependent on the items grading and condition. Our list is based on what the collectible has sold for in the latest auctions, and its position will be updated if another card outsells it and makes a new record.
Pokmon Neo Genesis 1st Edition Holo Lugia #9
Lugia appears on the box of Pokémon Silver, its remake Pokémon SoulSilver, and Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness, as a legendary god of the sea.
As with Blissey and Chansey, it has a white background, and silver foil surrounds the image.
Released as part of the 2000 Nintendo Neo Genesis set, a gem mint first-edition copy sold for $129,000 in 2020.
If you need an explanation for the price tag, its because there are only 42 gem mint copies, the Pokémon itself is exceptionally popular, and it was released a year after the original set.
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Prices For Pokemon 2004 Poke Card Creator Pokemon Cards
Pokemon 2004 Poke Card Creator card list & price guide. Ungraded & graded values for all Pokemon Poke Card CreatorPokemon Cards., historic prices, and past sales.
Find out how to identify your pokemon card using card numbers, sets, foil, and editions.
Prices are updated daily based upon Pokemon 2004 Poke Card Creator listings that sold on eBay and our marketplace. Read our methodology.
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Ex Deoxys Gold Star Rayquaza Holographic
Coming from the 2005 EX Deoxys set, this Holographic Gold Star Rayquaza is one of the most sought-after Pokémon cards. The set had seven variants of Rayquaza, and while this was not the rarest in the collection, the Gold Star made it the most desirable. Today, it has a very low PSA 10 population, sitting at just 47, making it particularly unique. Masakazu Fukuda designed the artwork with the dragon seeming to leap off the card.
Grade: PSA 10 Gem Mint
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What Are My Pokemon 1st Edition Base Set Cards Worth
If you own any of the cards listed below, condition is the biggest factor in figuring out your Pokemon card value. The prices below illustrate what these cards are worth after grading in mint condition as PSA 9’s & 10’s.
Important to note: It is very unlikely that your cards will grade this high if they have been played with. If you have these cards laying around in less than mint condition, it still may be worth getting them graded as long as they are in pretty good shape.
Charizard Gold Star Holo Dragon Frontiers
- Release Date: 2006
- Grading: PSA Gem Mint 10
- Pokemon card value at auction: $25,405
Prepare to see more Gold Stars in the list, as the specially marked Pokemon cards will continue to make their appearance throughout the top 20. Next up is Charizard from 2004s Dragon Frontiers.
It should come as no surprise that the marked item would be a massive hit with fans, considering it features artwork depicting a Shiny Charizard. The rare variant of the Kanto mon looks stunning with its artwork depicting it scorching fire all around it.
According to PWCC, one of these scarce collectibles went up for bidding in a February 2021 auction. When all was said and done, the unique item fetched an eye-popping $25,405 which is makes it one of the rarest Pokemon cards of that generation.
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Prices For Pokemon Promo Pokemon Cards
Pokemon Promo card list & price guide. Ungraded & graded values for all Pokemon Black Star PromoPokemon Cards., historic prices, and past sales.
Find out how to identify your pokemon card using card numbers, sets, foil, and editions.
Prices are updated daily based upon Pokemon Promo listings that sold on eBay and our marketplace. Read our methodology.
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