Is Your Pokmon Card A Misprint
It may sound counterintuitive that an error would make something more valuable, but then, it also makes something more unique and therefore rarer.
Keep in mind mention that a misprinting of a card, doesnt automatically make your card worth more money. As mentioned before, a misprint of a card will generally result in a lower score from a professional card grading service.
However, there is a market for misprints, and certain well-known misprints, in particular, can drive up the price of a Pokémon card and sell for a decent amount of money.
One such printing error is the much desired first edition base set Red-cheeked Pikachu, which is currently worth more than $10,000 USD provided that it is in Gem Mint condition.
Even lower graded version of this card can be seen to be sold for several hundreds of dollars.
Pokemon French First Edition Dracaufeu
Sold in February, 2021 for $37,300
The First Edition Dracaufeu, or the French name for Charizard, is also relatively easier to find in PSA 10 condition than the English version.
Though only 28 examples have achieved that grade, PSA has only graded 382 overall, meaning that roughly 7% of them are PSA 10s.
What Makes Pokemon Cards Valuable
Over the past two years, online personalities such as Logan Paul have propelled Pokemon card collecting back into mainstream popularity. With some cards being valued at over $300,000, its understandable why theres been an explosion in excitement around the hobby.
But what makes Pokemon cards valuable? It all comes down to the rarity of the card and what condition the item is in. These two factors determine how much collectors are willing to pay and why some cards go for mind-boggling amounts of money. Below we will list the 24 most expensive TCG collectibles ever sold at auction.
Also Check: How To Tell If A Pokemon Is Hacked
How To Sell Pokmon Cards On Ebay
Known for allowing the sale of everything from lawnmowers to potato chips, selling on eBay is the number one place to cash in on trading cards.
Because of the bidding function, the low risk for sellers, and the ability to see all other similar sales happening, you gain many advantages from selling here.
Unfortunately, this site does take a small fee from all sellers, but this may be worth it if youve tried on other sites and failed.
To list cards on eBay, you can either start a new listing from scratch or go to the page of a card for sale and click the button on the left side of the screen that says sell one like this.
This shortcut is better for those selling many different cards and who dont want to redo an entire listing for every card.
Another great option with this site is that you can track how the card market is looking. If you notice many cards are selling, and for more, you can post your cards.
If, instead, you find that its a buyers market, its better to save the cards and wait.
The market can shift at any time, so be aware of when its in your corner. eBay is an incredibly versatile platform, whether you want to recycle computers for cash or sell other things around your house.
Recommended Reading: Good Places To Sell Pokemon Cards
Pokmon Neo Genesis 1st Edition Holo Lugia #9
A legendary Pokémon on a legendarily rare Pokémon card
Sold for $144,300 in May 2021
Lugia is one of the most iconic and popular Pokémon in the entire series, having starred on the front of early Game Boy game Pokémon Silver and its Nintendo DS remake SoulSilver. A legendary bird Pokémon from Gen II, Lugia is one of the most powerful and hard-to-find Pokémon that players can catch in the video games – so its only fitting that its Pokémon card is also extremely rare.
The Neo Genesis 1st Edition Holo Lugia #9 Pokémon card is described by auction house PWCC as one of the most difficult Pokémon cards to grade, as the result of a number of errors and misprints that were included in the early runs of the Neo Genesis set for the Pokémon TCG. Later print runs were corrected, but many of the cards from the expansion remain more common in their earlier uncorrected forms.
As of May 2021, PWCC claims that only 41 Gem Mint 10 condition Neo Genesis 1st Edition Holo Lugia #9 cards have ever been graded by PSA, with just three earning the maximum BGS 10 Pristine rating from grading company Beckett Grading Services. The Lugias rarity means that it ranks almost as highly as the legendary first-edition Charizard when it comes to the most valuable Pokémon cards.
Also Check: How To Use An Upgrade In Pokemon Go
Pokemon Japanese Topsun Holofoil Blastoise
Sold in October, 2020 for $20,100
The 1995 Japanese Topsun cards are some of the most interesting early Pokemon cards and were distributed in packs of apple-flavored gum by Top-Seika.
Collectors could find these cards in one of three versions: blue-back, green-back, and prism holofoil.
While 150 different characters appeared on the blue-back and green-back cards, only 16 received a prism holofoil version.
Though these Topsun cards contain a trademark date of 1995, most collectors agree that the company did not distribute them until 1997.
And that makes sense because even the official Pokemon Trading Card Game didn’t debut in Japan until 1996.
The Blastoise prism holo is one of the most desirable Topsun cards and features the same imagery used for the cover art of the Pokemon Blue videogame released on the Nintendo Game Boy in Japan in 1996.
Pokemon Japanese Bandai Carddass Vending Prism Red Charizard
Sold in January, 2021 for $30,100
Founded in 1950, Bandai is a Japanese toy maker that produced a series of Pokemon cards in September 1996 that pre-dated the official launch of the Pokemon Trading Card Game that followed in October 1996.
To distribute the cards, Bandai utilized a network of vending machines, or carddass, as they called them.
There are hundreds of Bandai carddass Pokemon cards to collect, but the most desirable of them all is the prism Charizard.
In one of the earliest appearances of the iconic character, Charizard roars and breathes fire, creating an image that really pops.
Read Also: When Did The Pokemon Cards Come Out
/27 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 coloring, 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.
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!
You May Like: When Does The Pokemon Center Restock
What Are The Other Expensive Cards
Cards that feature the Starly monster are the most expensive cards, worth a median price of £399.51.
Those that have the character of Bidoof on them are selling for around £285 on average.
Charizard cards are pricing at £150 and Lugia ones at £149.99.
Cards with the character Umbreon on them are going for £142.
Dont Miss: How Long Has Pokemon Go Been Around
Are Pokmon Cards A Good Investment
Modified date: Oct. 20, 2022
On October 13, 2020, rapper Logic shocked the world when he paid $220,574 for a Pokémon card.
Thats right he paid the price of a brand new Ferrari or a three-bedroom home in Ohio for a shiny cardboard picture of a lizard.
Not to be outdone, YouTuber Logan Paul paid even more for a rare Pikachu in 2021. A lot more. $5,275,000 to be precise.
Granted, its a really cute Pikachu holding a paintbrush, but still:
Source: Logan Paul, YouTube
Pauls record-shattering purchase was part of the great Pokémon card resurgence that began during the early days of COVID-19. And considering cards are still selling for well into the six figures in 2022, Pokemania 2.0 has clearly outlasted the pandemic and shows no signs of losing steam.
With Pikachus selling for more than Picassos, you might be wondering:
- Are any of your Pokémon cards worth anything?
- With $0.50 cards from the 1990s worth millions in 2022, should you be investing in Pokémon cards instead of index funds?
Lets find out!
Read Also: What Time Do Pokemon Go Raids Start
Pokemon Japanese Promo Tamamushi University Magikarp Trophy Car
Sold in February, 2021 for $66,100
The Tamamushi University Hyper Test was a two-day event held in June 1998 in Osaka, Japan.
To be invited, children needed to pass a series of test questions that were to be completed and mailed by a specific deadline.
The contestants competed against each other within different age groups with the winners receiving a copy of this card as their prize.
While 1,000 copies were slated for distribution, nobody knows for sure how many actually were.
What is known, though, is that this card is the most expensive Magikarp card in the entire Pokémon series, and one of the most valuable Pokémon cards in general.
Top Tips In This Article
Pratte, our expert card trader and collector, provided lots of tips to make money selling Pokemon cards. Here is his best advice:
- First edition or New Edition? All kidding aside, we know that you know New Edition is a boy band from the 70s and 80s. Still, you need to know what you have in that box of Pokemon cards. In other words, which are the rare cards and which are not. Do you have one of the original holographic cards? Cha-ching.
- Whats the condition of your cards? If theyve been under the bed in a box so light didnt fade them or the dog didnt get to them, you may be in good shape. Never taken out of the wrapper? More cha-ching. That is whats called mint. All cards in good condition are likely worth more than what you paid for them.
- The best place to sell Pokemon cards? Its eBay all the way. It would be great to sell one card for oodles of money and eBay has facilitated some of that. But if you want a big audience and buyers willing to shell out $30 a pop for your cards, you can rack up sales.
- Think youve got something valuable? Consult the Professional Sports Authenticator and get an estimate. This will put you in a good position to haggle with a buyer, which you should expect to do.
Recommended Reading: How To Get Buddy Excited Pokemon Go
Pokemon World Championship Masters Key
- 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.
Pokemon Japanese Champion’s League
Sold in April, 2021 for $30,000
Beginning in 2000, Champion’s League and Battle Roads tournaments offered contestants throughout Japan the opportunity to battle it out amongst the best of the best.
In 2000 and 2001, there were two Champion’s League tournaments, one in the Spring and another in the Summer.
From 2002 to 2006, however, there was a reduction to just one Champion’s League tournament per year.
And before the 2005 tournament held in Tokyo, no trainers received any kind of promotional card.
However, the top four ranking players in each age division of the 2005 tournament received this promotional stadium card, making it the first Champion’s League promo stadium card.
Don’t Miss: How Far Can You Trade In Pokemon Go
Is It Worth Investing In Pokmon Cards Now
With the values of rare Pokémon cards outlasting many cryptocurrencies, is it really so crazy to invest in a Blastoise?
As of September 2022, there were five Pokémon cards listed on eBay with an asking price over $1,000,000.
Now that you know how to effectively spot a rare, valuable Pokémon card, here are some reasons you should buy it.
Pokemon Pop Series 5 Gold Star Umbreon
Sold in December, 2020 for $20,000
To help boost participation in Pokemon leagues and Pokemon Organized Play events, players were treated to exclusive POP series cards released on a regular basis over roughly a five-year span.
POP Series 1 kicked things off around September 2004 with POP Series 9 bringing things to a close around September 2009.
Released between March 2007 and September 2007, POP Series 5 was the last EX Series promotional set and featured Espeon and Umbreon, two of the eight Pokemon that evolve from Eevee.
The POP Series 5 checklist contained seventeen cards in total with Epseon and Umbreon being the most elusive of them all, noted by the gold star distinction next to their name on the card fronts.
As of this writing, just fifty examples of this Umbreon card have achieved PSA 10 status.
Recommended Reading: How To Evolve Eevee Into Umbreon Pokemon Go
Not Great Price But It Is Reliable And And Easy
I scanned 50 codes and got $2.50 cents which honestly isnt great thats about half the codes are worth but at the end of the day if you are gonna sell codes you have to do all this stuff that takes a lot of effort, like shipping them on eBay or meeting someone in person. But with this you simply scan em and send em off and a few hours later your PayPal gets the money. Also free codes on the internet are not hard to find as well so this could be a side hustle. Overall though its quick easy and reliable just they only give you 50% of what a normal person would.
Japanese Promo Tropical Mega Battle Tropical Wind
Next we have another really rare Pokémon card, with an element of exclusivity that strongly adds to its appeal.
Backstory
The 1999 Tropical Mega Battle was a tournament consisting of 50 players that took place in Honolulu, Hawaii. The only way to enterearn an invite!
Thats right, only the best Pokemon trainers from their region were invited to take part in this exclusive tournament, with these beautifully unique Tropical Wind cards given as prizes.
Read Also: How To Breed Pokemon In Pokemon Go
How Much Are Your Pokemon Cards Worth
Use Mavin to see how much your Pokemon cards are worth. Mavin tells you what its worth based on similar cards that have recently sold online.
Youll need these details:
For example Dragonite 52/108 foil
Japanese Kangaskhan Holo Familiy Event Trophy Card
With a rating of PSA 10, the card is the highest quality and is another trophy card from a Japanese tournament in 1998.
The same card has sold twice previously, though for far less than this seller is asking for.
They could still end up with a tidy sum though, as they each sold in 2020 for just over £120,000, according to PSA.
You May Like: How Do You Take A Snapshot On Pokemon Go
Pokmon World Championships No 2 Trophy Trainer Card
If we didnt know better, wed say these trophy cards were deliberately made to frustrate collectors determined to catch em all. These ultra-rare cards were given to finalists of the 2006 World Championships in California, and its rumored that only three exist, making this one of the rarest Pokémon cards ever.
This is another one of those rare Pokémon cards thats so extremely scarce they can sell for six figures even without a perfect 10 PSA grade. In early 2021 this card sold for an impressive $110,100.
Featuring the always adorable series mascot Pikachu holding up a silver trophy, its not surprising that the other owners of this card havent had the heart to put it up for sale.
Sometimes, hanging out with your parents really pays off!
First Edition Holographic Gyarados
Estimated PSA 10 Gem Mint Value: $1,800
This serpentine creature is an extremely temperamental and destructive Pokémon that relies on both its water and flying abilities to unleash its wrath.
Its tough scales are practically impenetrable while its sharp fangs are capable of crushing rocks.
Because it lives in both fresh and saltwater, its best to stay clear of water in general if you want to avoid Gyarados.
Dont Miss: Pokemon Sword Where To Find Ditto
You May Like: How To Get Good Pokemon In Pokemon Go
