Pricing Or Selling Your Collection
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For Position Only Charizard
It seems as if collectors can’t get enough of Charizard. According to the seller, “thisPokémon card was a test card for the Expedition set before it was officially released. It was meant to be destroyed but was saved by a former Wizards of the Coast staff member.” The Expedition set was the first of the e-card era. The physical card was officially labeled by the PSA and is currently selling on eBay for $35,437 .
First Edition Holographic Machamp
Estimated PSA 10 Gem Mint Value: $1,000
The final form of Machop that evolves from Machoke, Machop is an intimidating fighting-type Pokémon who looks like the last thing you’d want to fight.
Known for its brute force and strength, Machamp is nothing but solid muscle and its four arms allow it to strike opponents from multiple angles at once.
And not only is Machamp overpowering, it also possesses incredible speed making it capable of throwing as many as 500 punches in one second.
Wearing a championship belt around its waste, the aptly named Machamp is frequently on the victorious side of the fight.
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Not Worth Much: Pikachu Hidden Fates
The low price of the Pikachu from the Hidden Fates set is a bit ironic given how hot this set was upon its first release and how astronomically expensive some of the cards from the set are. Hidden Fates was intended to be a “mini” set of sorts. It included many reprints of cards from prior sets with a Shiny counterpart of the Pokémon included in the art. There were a few new cards included too, but they were less of a selling point.
However, the basic non-Shiny Pikachu from the set isn’t worth much, with the non-holo version going for $.08 and a foil version going for about half a buck.
Black Triangle Error Packs
If Bob Ross taught us anything, it’s that mistakes can often be molded into magic. Case in point – the famous black triangle/1st edition packs. These are very rare and misprinted booster packs that are worth a lot of money within the Pokémon community. The error stems from the black triangle in the bottom right corner not completely covering the “1st edition” stamp. This mint condition collection of Venusaur, Charizard, and Blastoise packs is currently selling for $3,500 on eBay.
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Bulbasaur 1st Edition $450
One of the most popular Pokemon, Bulbasaur delivers long term. Previously third in the pecking order for PSA 9s, 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 $3200PSA 9 $450
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What Makes The 2001 Holographic Birthday Pikachu So Valuable
A card that needs little introduction, especially as a reprint made its way into the new Celebrations set, the original Birthday Pikachu is a card much loved by collectors. It actually has its origins in part of a Create your own Pokemon Card campaign in 2000, where members of a local Pokemon League could submit their designs to Wizards of the Coast.
Interestingly, it was immediately banned upon its release as players could just claim it was their birthday to gain 50 extra damage on the cards attack! Wizards definitely avoided a few arguments there! Anyway, fast-forward twenty odd years, its no surprise that because of the cards design, popularity and history, PSA 10 versions are valued so highly.
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Variables That Can Affect A Cards Value
1. The Grading Company
PSA is the king of Pokémon card grading with BGS a close 2nd. Both companies command top $ for their graded cards and have proven that grades do matter in the Pokémon realm, with a BGS 9.5 1st Edition Charizard selling for nearly $73,000.00 in July.
2. Supply of the card
Pokémon cards have low populations compared to sports cards. The number of graded cards can be the biggest indicator of value, but some cards, such as Pikachu or Charizard, have insane demand regardless of populations. Supply is outmatched by current demand, and after two decades since these cards were produced, that wont change. Check the PSA 1999 Pokémon Game Population report to get more info on how limited the Base set cards are.
3. Buying Raw vs. Graded
Thanks to modern technology, getting clear photos of cards is easier than ever. That said, until you hold a card, you dont know how clean it really is. Graded cards are the safest indicator that youre getting what you want. When buying graded cards, think of the price paid for the grading and that there is no wait time besides shipping. There is much less risk buying graded cards, but raw can be the best bet to make profits faster. You never know what you can find in a binder someone is selling, but be careful and do your best to inspect those cards.
4. Surface, corners, edges, creases & centering
5. Your negotiation tactics
If Youre Looking For The Most Valuable 1st Edition Pokmon Cards Youre In The Right Place
In this article, well look at some of the most sought after English Pokémon cards from 1999s iconic Wizards of the Coast era.
Well also analyse their PSA population reports and consider their rarity to fully understand whether their recently sold prices are justified.
FYI Ive looked at recent sales from the last year or two. Do bear in mind that some of the prices paid arent the current market prices today, as 2020 was a crazy year for Pokemon!
So, lets get into itas youve probably guessed, theres only one place to start!
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First Edition Cards In Review
Whether you are a fan of them or not, there’s no debating that first edition Pokémon cards are some of the hottest cards in non-sports card collecting.
The video games, television shows, and the cards themselves transformed Pokémon into a worldwide phenomenon with an enormous fan base.
And many of those kids who grew up with these cards are now adults with more spending power able to pay big bucks for them in top condition.
It doesn’t look like that trend will slow anytime soon as these cards have found their place as one of the most popular non-sports sets in the hobby.
First Edition Holographic Nidoking
Estimated PSA 10 Gem Mint Value: $1,500
Nidoking is a dual-type poison and ground Pokémon that is the final evolved form of Nidoran.
With its sharp teeth, pointy ears, plated underside, claws and venomous horn that protrudes from its forehead, Nidoking is obviously a very intimidating reptilian creature.
However, its powerful tail is the primary weapon of choice to smash its enemies or create the spacing Nidoking needs to execute one of its devastating charges.
High grade specimens of this card can sell for around $1,500 or more.
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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.
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Pokmon Topsun 1995 First Edition Charizard
The Pokémon Topsun cards are slightly different from all the cards mentioned above. Back in 1997, you were able to purchase a pack with gum that included two cards featuring Pokémon. These cards are the first-ever Pokémon cards printed.
The reason Charizard is the most valuable is due to its cracked ice pattern holo background and its rarity. PSA has seen 79 of the cards and graded only 16 as being PSA 10 condition. According to PSAcard.com, the cards are known to go for up to $10,000.
Get involved in the conversation by heading over to our and pages. To stay up to date with the latest guides, news, and reviews, follow The Loadout on and Steam News Hub.We sometimes include relevant affiliate links in articles from which we earn a small commission. Any stated prices are correct at the time of publication. For more information, click here.
Ruby is Pocket Tactics’ deputy editor. When she’s not writing about mobile, she’s playing Final Fantasy and Pokémon games. You will find her shiny hunting in any spare moment.
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What Makes First Edition Shadowless Base Set Blastoise So Valuable
If youre more of a water-type trainer, Blastoise is your guy. It may not be able to breathe fire, but with water canons on your back who cares!
This much appreciated middle child of the big three will forever be in Charizards shadow, but will eclipse Venusaur in terms of value.
With only 100 PSA 10s in existence, the stats are very similar to Charizard.
Interestingly, the value of PSA 10 1st Edition Base Set Blastoise, is relatively similar to a PSA 9 1st Edition Base Set Charizard .
So which is the better investment? PSA 10 Blastoise or PSA 9 Charizard
My head says the Blastoise 100% the numbers are much more favourable.
But god damn it, my heart says the Charizard! I just want it more! That bad-ass dragon gets me every time.
1999 1st Edition Base Set Blastoise PSA Population Report
Pokmon Game #14 Raichu Holo
Average Value in PSA 10: $2,296
Players of the Yellow version of the original video game were introduced to the world of Pokémon with the reliable companion of Ash Ketchum, Pikachu. After a steady diet of hard-fought battles, a well-timed Thunder Stone and ketchup if you watched the anime Pikachu evolves into the more powerful but equally reliable Raichu. Lots of face time for Pikachu throughout the franchise has likely contributed to the popularity of related cards, including this 1st Edition Holo Raichu. Prices over $2k for cards in PSA 10 condition arent shocking.
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Rarest Pokemon Cards: Buyers Guide And Investment Outlook
I predominantly write about sports here at Gold Card Auctions, but theres no denying the collectibility of Pokémon cards in recent years.
Investment Rating: Buy
Ownership Disclosure: None
Best Rare Pokemon Cards: 1997 Trophy Pikachu Trainer No. 1 #1
Considering the prices seen at the present, any investor would be happy to find a shiny first edition Pokémon card lying around. Theres certainly profit to be made, depending on how long youre willing to hold onto the cards for.
As recent Charizard sales have shown, theres a massive market of adults who know exactly how popular Pokémon is, and theyre willing to pay top dollar to add the rarest cards to their collection.
Prices are a little higher than you might expect, but thats because there are so many investors, collectors, and fans of the series at present. Theres a generation of adults who grew up consuming the games, the anime, and collecting the cards. The constant stream of media, has helped to capture new audiences in the meantime, and theyre likely to want the rarest cards too when theyve grown up.
How much will a first edition Charizard be worth by then? Comment below!
What About Your Cards
The regular Charizard card might be worth around £300, Dan, from trading cards and collectibles shop Game HQ, tells Newsbeat.
Most cards that people have will be the mass-produced ones so they wont be worth as much, but they can still be worth a lot of money as long as the cards are in good condition.
It might be time to ask your mum to dig out your old stuff, but if you do, which ones should you look out for?
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The Set That Everyones After
Long story short, 1st Edition means the first run of cards for that release. Each 1st Edition card released gets a neat little stamp, just below the featured Pokémon, to signify its 1st Edition status. That little stamp is key, as it separates 1st Edition from lesser sought-after sets. Its important to remember that immediately following Pokémons inaugural 1999 release, there were a couple of aesthetic tweaks made, tweaks that werent reflected on future releases thus the emergence of Shadowless and Unlimited. These factors make the first run of 1999 cards super scarce, and if weve learned anything in the hobby, scarcity typically translates to desirability and yes, value.
The king of Pokémon, which some even refer to as the 1952 Mickey Mantle of the trading card game, is Charizard. Commanding upwards of $20,000 and beyond, Charizards value, and that of 1st Edition cards in general, seems to only increase. But dont worry, you can still get your hands on 1st Edition boxes it will only cost you around a casual $50,000, while individual packs can be yours for around $800 apiece.
First Edition Holographic Blastoise
Estimated PSA 10 Gem Mint Value: $5,500
A water-type Pokémon, Blastoise first appears in the Pokémon Red and Blue video games as the final evolutionary stage of Squirtle, one of the original three starter Pokémon.
Relying on twin water cannons that retract from the shell on its back, Blastoise is capable of delivering powerful blasts of water with superior accuracy.
And just as we saw Charizard’s boost in popularity stemming from its appearance on the cover art of the Pokémon Red video game, Blastoise was the center of attention on the Pokémon Blue video game:
Rightfully considered one of the coolest-looking of all Pokémon, Blastoise remains a collector favorite and this card can bring thousands of dollars in high grade.
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First Edition Holographic Poliwrath
Estimated PSA 10 Gem Mint Value: $1,500
This round, blue powerhouse is a dual-type water and fighting Pokémon known for its strength and endurance.
A versatile swimmer capable of going long distances without tiring, Poliwrath is also known to be able to run on the surface of the water for brief periods of time.
Easily identified by the black swirl on its white underbelly, Poliwrath is a formidable opponent that can easily outlast its enemies due to its superior stamina.
Are 1st Edition Pokmon Cards Worth Anything
In the present day, the first edition card is still extremely valuable and was the tenth card in the set. There are currently 80 PSA 10 graded copies of the Mewtwo card, and theyll easily sell within the five-figure range. The most powerful of the original Pokémon, only the cards saw above tend to be as valuable.
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Unlimited Cards Are Well Less Limited
Just like its name, 1st Edition came first, then Shadowless, then Unlimited. Unlimited cards all come with the shiny holographic features from Pokémons first run, but without 1st Edition stamps, thus without the inherent value of 1st Edition status. Plus, they are more common than Shadowless cards, making Shadowless versions more valuable than their shadowed brethren. Remember, rarity and desirability often go hand in hand in the hobby. Unlimited cards were, and still are, more widely available, easily attainable, and sadly, less valuable.
Pokemon First Edition Mewtwo Holo #10
The #10 card of the set is Mewtwo, which is one of the most popular figures inside the first edition set of Pokemon cards.
Read our article on top Mewtwo Cards
This character has achieved a good level of popularity thanks to its role in the first Pokemon movie, but also because of its elusive and mysterious nature.
Its also quite a powerful card if you know how to use its abilities right. It has two powerful abilities, Psychic and Barrier, and even though it doesnt have a lot of HP, it can do a lot of damage to your opponent.
Mewtwo remains to be seen as one of the legendary characters of the game, and this is also a legendary card to own.
For this reason, this card can cost up to six figures in the best conditions, but most often, it will be sold for a five-figure amount. There are only 80 PSA 10 rated cards, so you might have to pay a lot to get one.
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