Tropical Mega Battle: $10000
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, an annual Pokemon Trading Card Game tournament was held in Honolulu, Hawaii. At this 1999 event, just 12 of these Tropical Mega Battle cards were produced to be distributed to some of the lucky 50 players who attended the event, meaning the remaining number of mint copies is especially low all these years later.
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Showing a Psyduck having a nap in a hammock on a tropical island, this legendary Trainer Card sells for a whole lot of cash thanks to its rarity. In fact, according to the Telegraph, a mint-condition version of the card once sold for $10,000, making it a prime example of how valuable Pokemon TCG prize cards can eventually be.
Reasons To Invest In Pokemon Cards
Here are four compelling reasons why a small investment in Pokemon cards this year may pay off down the road:;
- Supply is dwindling and demand is rising. Economics 101 tells us that when demand for an asset outstrips supply, prices rise. Nobodys making new 1st Edition Pokemon cards and demand is rising at the moment, so its reasonable to suggest prices will rise in the short term as well.
- Theyre easy to buy and sell.Compared to real estate or rare cars, Pokemon cards are among the easiest forms of property to buy and sell. No surprise leaks or expensive brokers you always know exactly what youre buying or selling.;
- Theyre easy to store. Similarly, trading cards are perhaps the single easiest physical investment to store and maintain. Pokemon cards dont need cleaning, climate-controlled storage, or even insurance just a plastic sleeve and a safety deposit box.
- The upside could be huge.In 2017, if youd invested $500 in an S&P 500 index fund youd have about $1,500 now. If youd put that money into a PSA 9 Charizard instead, youd have $5,500.;
Whats The Most Valuable Pokemon Card
The Pikachu Illustrator cards have sold for the highest amount, publicly at least. These cards were awarded to winners of a Pokemon contest held in Japan circa 1998. Less than 40 of these cards are known to exist. In recent years, a few have sold for between $100,000 and $375,000.
Gem mint 10 first edition holographic Charizards from the 1999 base set are nearly as valuable. They have sold for as much as $369,000 at auction.
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Pokmon Tcg: The 10 Most Unbelievably Rare Cards That Are Worth A Fortune Ranked
The Pokémon TCG has been around for over two decades. In that time, some cards have become pretty valuable and tough to find.
Pokémon;is one of the most iconic franchises of all time, boasting many successful films, video games, soundtracks, anime series, and manga series. It’s a property that continues to expand relentlessly, introducing new creatures and regions as often as announces new projects.;As per usual, every;generation of “Pocket Monsters” comes with a fresh batch of collectible trading cards.
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While the Pokémon Trading Card Game is very much alive and thriving, nothing can compare to the thrill of;gathering the original cards during its heyday in the late ’90s/early 2000s. After all, that was when most of the valuable, limited edition collectibles were produced. Here are the 10 most unbelievably rare Pokémon cards that are worth a fortune, ranked.
Tamamushi University Magikarp Trophy Promo
- Release Date: 1998
- Grading: PSA Gem Mint 10
- Pokemon card value at auction: $66,100
In 1998, Shogakukans Magazines in Japan offered a contest for school students. Fans that took the various tests offered in the publication could send them back to the company to have them graded.
Those studious enough to pass with high scores were then invited to a special conference held in Osaka of that year. Once there, the children got to participate in a unique Pokemon card battle tournament. Winners of the rare contest ultimately received the Magikarp Trophy Pokemon card Promo.
Due to the insane obscurity of how the TCG item was given out, its easily one of the rarest Pokemon cards on our list. It was not very surprising then when the Trophy collectible went up for auction in February 2021 and sold for $66k at PWCC.
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St Edition Holo Mewtwo No 10
There are two types of Shadowless Mewtwos. The first collection has the same symbol under the left corners, while the second collection has varying marks.
Collect the most expensive Pokemon cards now. Most of them are rare but having them gives you an upper hand when battling against other gamers.
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Briefly.co.za recently shared the secret of Pokemon cards and where to buy them. For instance, you can tell how much a Pokemon is worth by checking the rarity symbol on the bottom right corner of the card.
Next to the rating symbol is the card number. A circled number shows that the card is common, while the one with diamond marks is rare.
DISCLAIMER: Any action you take upon the information presented in this article is strictly at your own risk and responsibility!
Poliwrath No Rarity Base Set
- Release Date: 1996
- Grading: PSA Gem Mint 10
- Pokemon card value at auction: $25,015
Rounding out the top 21 of the most expensive Pokemon cards list is Poliwrath from the Japanese version of the Base Set. While the Water-type mon has traditionally been one of the weaker valued cards from the 1996 and 1999 releases, this item is actually special.
Similar to the English version having a 1st Edition run, the very first print of the Japanese set featured no markings at all. Due to there being extremely limited amounts even printed, barely any of them survived three decades later.
Consider this THE earliest version of the iconic card, and you can see why its value has skyrocketed in recent years. In 2020, one appeared in a PWCC auction selling for $25,015. If you think that is a lot, we are only getting started!
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Pokmon Pikachu Illustrator Card
The Pokemon card of all Pokemon cards features the franchises most iconic and recognized character: Pikachu. Pokemon has held a number of illustrator contests for its fans, and the prizes are special cards. In 1997 and 1998, Pokemon Illustrator Cards featured the word Illustrator instead of Trainer, which is a huge distinction. Just 39 of these cards were given out, and a single Pokemon Pikachu Illustrator card is worth $100,000.
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!
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Trophy Pikachu Trainer Card
Only 3 winners at the Pokémon tournament in Japan in 1997 could have opportunities to own this card. On the front, the cards show Pikachu holding a gold, silver, or bronze trophy. On these cards, some text states, The Pokémon Card Game Official Tournaments champion/ runner-up/ third place winner is recognized here, and their honor is praised. You can use this card to enter the Pokémon Card Game Official Tournament with a preference. And obviously, all of the text is in Japanese.
Condition: Did You Take Good Care Of Your Cards
The second important factor in a cards value is the condition. If you do happen to have a first-edition, holographic base-set Charizard, youre not guaranteed thousands of dollars. The selling price depends on how well the card has been taken care of.
If you have a card that you expect is worth more than $100, Pratte recommends getting it graded by Professional Sports Authenticator .;
Despite its name, the PSA grades all kinds of trading cards, including non-sports cards like Pokemon. PSAs 10-point grading scale is accepted as the industry standard, and the company also publishes price guides to help you determine a cards worth.;
According to its current valuations, first-edition cards in perfect condition are valued at a minimum of $40. Those arent rarer, holographic cards either. A first-edition holo in mint condition can rake in between $1,000 and $24,000.
So why Prattes $100 limit? Well, the number isnt a hard-and-fast rule, but the card-grading services offered by PSA will cost $20 or more per card, meaning a lower-value card doesnt always merit the cost to get it authenticated.
Its a process, says PSA spokesperson Terry Melia. But its something that could reap big rewards in the end.
In addition to grading the condition of the card, PSA ensures the card isnt a forgery by using high-powered lights and magnifying equipment to check for tampering.
There are a lot of forgeries and bogus merchandise out there, says Melia.
Especially so online.
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Master Key Prize Card
As the name implies, the Master Key prize cards were just that: prizes awarded to players during a 2010 tournament in Japan, making it one of the more recent limited distributions. A maximum of 36 copies are thought to exist and the gold foil stamp at the very bottom of the card translates to, “Pokémon World Championship 2010 Japan National Tournament Prize Card”. Of course, it’s borderline impossible to get your hands on a Master Key. Like most of the cards on this list, their owners seldom choose to get rid of them, although a seller on eBay recently put a price tag of $50,000 on their copy.
The Top 10 Most Valuable Pokmon Tcg Cards
Pokémon cards are more popular than ever, so do you have some hidden treasures in your collection?
Joe Parlock
With the Pokémon Trading Card Game’s popularity at an all-time high, people are rushing to their old collections and hoping to find a few treasures they can sell. You see stories of cards being flipped for five or even six digits online with alarming regularity, causing the COVID-19 pandemic’s equivalent of a gold rush.
However, if you’re a casual fan digging out their old binders, there is a slim chance you’ll find any of those mythical best-sellers in your collection. While paying off your mortgage from one card may be all but impossible, you can still make a healthy profit. With that in mind, here are the top ten most valuable Pokémon cards that you might actually own.
To work this out, I went through every single Pokémon set on TCGPlayer’s price database and noted every single card worth with a market value of more than $100. I then removed all promotional cards, including tournament prizes, limited editions, and gift cards given to the game’s staff. While these can be worth a lot, it is very unlikely someone is going to have them sitting under their bed and simply not know about it.
Stormfront’s Charizard
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Pokemon Japanese Summer Battle Road Mew Victory Orb Trainer Card
Sold in December, 2020 for $60,000
The Battle Road Summer 2005 tournament spanned across nine different Japanese cities between July 10 and August 14, 2005.
As a prize, the top three competitors from each age division of the regional tournaments received one of these Victory Orb cards that feature Mew and the artwork of Takumi Akabane.
Previous Victory Orb cards from the Battle Road Summer tournaments in 2003 and 2004 did not feature Mew so many hobbyists believe this one to be an aesthetic upgrade.
The Japanese text below the artwork translates to:
“Victory Orb can only be used by official tournament winners. Look at the top 7 cards of your deck, then return them to the top of your deck in any order.”
Japanese Parent/child Mega Battle Cards
The Kangaskhan, or Parent/Child Mega Battle, was a Pokemon tournament held in Japan in May 1998. Kids teamed up with their parents to compete in the trading card game with other families, and those who won enough games were rewarded with an exclusive promotional card. The Pokemon Parent/Child Mega Battle card is one of the small handful that has a set symbol featuring the Pocket Monsters Trading Card Game logo. This card has been collectible for well over a decade, and a mint condition one can sell for at least $10,000.
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What Are Pokemon Cards
For the uninitiated, Pokemon Cards are part of the Pokemon Card Trading Card Game that originally launched in 1996. Back then, the original set contained just 151 cards one for each OG Pokemon.;
In simplest terms, Pokemon cards are baseball cards but for adorable Japanese Pocket Monsters.;
Since then, Pokemon has exploded into the worlds most valuable media franchise, valued at over $100 billion worldwide. For comparison, thats more than Star Wars, Spongebob, and James Bond combined.;
Fueling two decades of meteoric growth was a steady stream of new Pokemon creatures and thus new cards to collect. There are around 898 total Pokemon and over 9,100 Pokemon cards to collect in the English market.;
Not all 9,100 cards are available on store shelves at once, of course. The Pokemon Company International, the folks who make Pokemon cards, publish and release cards one generation at a time, with each generation lasting about two years.;
In total, there have been eight generations of Pokemon cards since 1996. And as the next generation of cards begins appearing on store shelves, the previous generation tends to sell out. At that point, its no surprise that certain cards begin shooting up in value!
Rayquaza Gold Star Holo Ex Deoxys
- Release Date: 2005
- Grading: PSA Gem Mint 10
- Pokemon card value at auction: $45,100
An early favorite of Ruby & Sapphire, Rayquaza has seen an uptick in popularity over the last decade. So it makes sense then that its cards would also start to climb up in value over time. In 2005, The Pokemon Company released the Ex Deoxys TCG expansion featuring the Flying / Dragon-type.
As a gimmick to get Pokemon card collectors interested in the set, the Japanese company introduced Gold Star Pokemon cards into the hobby. As mentioned earlier, the incredibly rare Pokemon cards featured a special symbol next to the name of the mon. Of course, the king of these marked collectibles is the Hoenn Legendary itself.
In December 2020, a perfectly graded Gold Star Rayquaza sold at auction for $45,100. Given the Legendarys continued popularity in the franchise, and just how little of the gold Pokemon cards were actually produced, we expect this item to increase in value as time goes on.
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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.;
Selling Pokemon Cards: Expert Tips And Takeaways
- Look for rarity indicators such as the type of Pokemon, set symbol and shadow box and, of course, the holographic reflection.
- Pratte recommends getting your cards authenticated and graded if you know theyre worth at least $100 eachand especially if you plan to see them. For cards of lesser value, the cost of getting it graded could exceed the potential selling price of the card.
- Dont fret if you dont have ultra-rare cards. Even some of the lesser-known cards in the base set are worth about $20 each as long as theyre in good condition.
- Be prepared to haggle. Getting them graded can definitely help prove your cards are legitimate, but youll still need to back up their worth with quotes from other buyers, PSAs price guide and other sources when negotiating to get the best deal.
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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.;
Why Are Pokemon Cards Suddenly Popular Again
Pokemon card collecting has always been popular, as evidenced by the 34 billion cards now in circulation.
But even the makers of Pokemon cards were caught off guard when demand began skyrocketing in mid-2020. In addition to being fun, addictive, and nostalgic, collecting Pokemon cards during the pandemic even promised a potential form of economic relief; each $4 booster pack could contain a Charizard GX SV 49 worth $1,800.;
Soon, celebrities and influencers picked up on the resurging popularity of Pokemon cards. In early October, Logan Paul live-streamed an event where he opened a rare box of cards worth $200,000 in front of his 22 million subscribers. Pokimane and other influencers quickly followed suit, offering a Pokemon-flavored version of the ever-popular unboxing videos.;
Things came to a head on October 13th, 2020 when rapper Logic bought a first-edition, holographic Charizard for an eye-watering $220,574.;
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