How Much Are Old Pokemon Cards Worth

What Are Pokemon Cards

Pokemon How MuCh YouR OLD CaRDs Are ReaLLy WorTH

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!

Pokmon Game #2 Blastoise Holo

;Average Value in PSA 10: $5,977

If the fire-breathing Charizard and hydro-pumping Blastoise had a popularity contest, the latter is apt to put up a fight but come in second. This fact is reflected in the PSA 10 values of Blastoise, figures that entrench the water-type Pokémon as the second most valuable card of the set. You can probably guess what card comes in first. More on that further down.

Which Pokmon Cards Are Worth Money

In general, Pokémon cards from the original Base Set printing are worth more money than cards printed in recent sets. This is due to supply and demand economics as obtaining older cards no longer in print is much harder. However, the condition of a card is key in determining its value.;

A card that is still in print is not likely to rise to an extremely high value soon. On the other hand, older cards that are not being printed anymore, especially limited editions or promo cards, generally have a higher value.;

This can be a great place to start when trying to decide which of your Pokémon cards may have some value Check your oldest cards first.;

However, you will need to know more than the cards age if you are truly hoping to find out if there might be gold stashed in your card binder collection.

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Valuable: Pikachu 1999 Poketour Promo

This Pikachu comes from the 1999 Australia Poketour and is another hard one to find. It’s hard is the original printing of Pikachu with the addition of the “Poketour 1999” stamp in gold foiling.

This one isn’t as high as some of the others on the list, but you’re still looking at a couple hundred dollars on the marketplace.

Pokmon Base Set 1st Edition Shadowless Holo Chansey #3

How Much Are Your Old Pokémon Cards Worth?

Another Pokémon who featured heavily in the cartoon, Chansey is a basic holo with a difference. It has a massive 120 HP, while its Double-edge attack hits for 80.;

However, the stats arent the reason why gem mint shadowless first edition versions have sold for over $36,000.

As a normal-type Pokémon, the card is wrapped in a white background which contrasts heavily with the yellow border. Chansey is essentially a pink blob, while the holo that surrounds it will flake away instantly.;;

Its exceedingly condition-sensitive, and there are only 48 copies that have earned gem mint status.;

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Here’s How Much Your Old Pokmon Cards Are Worth Now

If Nintendo’s new Pokémon Go game hasn’t taken you down memory lane yet, then this article surely will.

The highly successful consumer electronics company released the game for iOS and Android users nearly a week ago, and it has already received critical acclaim. The interactive app allows users to “capture, battle and trade” classic Pokémon such as Pikachu and Squirtle from the comforts of their office cubicles and has sparked people all over the world to indulge and obsess over the nostalgic game.

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Now that the mobile app has become an international phenomenon, it begs the question: How much are the actual Pokémon trading cards worth? While the more recently-produced cards may not be worth a ton, if you kept your ’90s collection in good condition, you may be sitting on a fortune — there are some vintage cards that are going for thousands on eBay.

So, if you collected binders worth of Pokémon and you are ready to say goodbye to a little slice of childhood, head over to eBay and list some of your most valuable cards on the site.

To give you a head start, check out the slideshow below of what some of the most valuable cards are going for on eBay right now.

If collecting Pokémon cards wasn’t your hobby of choice, check out how much old vinyl records are worth now.

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Ex Team Rocket Returns Gold Star Torchic

It’s not all that often that a starter Pokemon card;that isn’t Charizard sells for big money, particularly one from as late as 2004. Gold Star Torchic from the EX Team Rocket Returns set is something of an exception, though, with a copy having sold for more than $25,000 towards the end of 2020.

The card in question was one of only 17 to have been given the PSA’s perfect GEM-MT 10 rating and 322 to have been submitted to the company for inspection. A few of the other cards in the set have also sold for high prices over the years, but none have fetched anywhere near as much as the little fire Pokemon.

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Do Pawn Shops Buy Pokemon Cards

Pawn shops do buy Pokemon cards in some cases, but we dont recommend selling them there. Unless the pawn shop is known to specialize in trading card games, chances are high the clerk wont know the ins and outs of Pokemon card trading. So you can expect a lowball offer.

If you want to sell them locally and in-person, try comic book shops or hobby shops instead.

First Edition Holographic Clefairy

My Old PokÃ©mon Cards Are Worth How Much?

Estimated PSA 10 Gem Mint Value: $2,500

Clefairy is a lovable Pokémon that is incapable of fighting and first evolves from Cleffa and later to Clefable after exposure to a Moon Stone.

The adorable creature uses its small wings to store moonlight that can allow it to float away when in danger.

Known for its extreme shyness, Clefairy is rarely seen and will only emerge from its mountain shelter under a full moon.

Almost as rarely seen in high grade as Clefairy itself, this card can bring $2,500 or more in PSA 10 condition.

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Store Your Cards In Self Storage

Central Self Storage is the perfect place to store your Pokémon cards and other collectibles. With a climate-controlled storage unit, your cards will stay protected from extreme temperatures and humidity. Well help you pick out a self storage unit in Boise, ID thats ideal for storing your cards and keeping them unblemished for years. Contact us today!

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Valuable: Pikachu Vmax Rainbow

A more recent example, Pikachu VMAX Rainbow has ascended the ranks to stardom. This;smirking, tubby wall of flesh;is quite a strong card on its own, but it’s the shimmering secret quality that’s got everyone going bananas.

The decided median for this special card is around;$270.99. Since it is so new, it is likely going to fluctuate compared to the other cards on this list.

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Valuable: Shiny Pikachu Holon Phantoms

The Holon Phantoms Set contains three separate versions of Pikachu. It may be hard to tell from the photo, but the Pikachu on the right is a shiny. Anytime you factor shiny into the mix, you can expect it to correlate to expensive.

The more common asking price is;$450, but some people will absolutely gauge you, like this listing for;$10,000.00. Be absolutely sure that what you’re getting is the;real deal.

Shiny Secret Rare Charizard V: $500

If you want to get into Pokemon pack opening, but dont want to shell out for the older packs, there are tons of new cards with similar record-setting prices that have come out in just the past two years. One of the recent premium TCG sets in the game was Champions Path, and certain cards in it were especially rare since you could only get packs through special products like Elite Trainer Boxes and Pin Collector packs.

The absolute highest value cards in this set are both Charizards, one being a rainbow foil V-Max card and the other being a shiny Charizard V with black scales. Both quickly reached prices around $500, and sites like TCGPlayer still remain at the same $500 price tag.

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Misprinted Fossil Krabby: $2200

Yes, you read that right. Krabby is the star of one of the rarest Pokemon cards of all. By all accounts, this crab-based Water-type isn’t exactly a battling superstar. The fact that one version of its Pokemon card is so rare is a bit of a fluke, as its price comes down to a relatively simple misprint of the card.

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The difference between these multiple miscuts and a normal card is that part of a fossil symbol to the bottom-left of its art is missing. This seemingly minor difference has driven up the price of these cards immensely, and despite going for under two dollars in its normal state, Pokemon Prices has the card record of a misprint selling for over $2200 dollars.

Southern Islands Reverse Holo Mew: $200

When the second Pokemon movie was released in Japan, the makers of the Trading Card Game decided to release a special edition set of cards to mark this occasion. The Southern Islands card series was born, featuring just two sets of nine cards apiece that were unique to any other set in the game.

Full sets of these cards can sell for a lot, but the absolute highest value is undoubtedly the Southern Islands Mew, which has a rare reverse foil treatment where the frame around the art is the only part thats shiny. Troll and Toad is currently selling copies for just over $200 right now, making it even more valuable than the elusive and stylish Ancient Mew mentioned earlier.

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What Is A Pokmon Card Value Scanner

Do you think you may have some valuable cards in your deck, but arent sure how to determine their value? Theres no need to take them to a gaming store or find an expert. All you have to do is download an app so you can price your cards from your phone or iPad. You can download the BigAR Poké Card Scanner;or;TCGplayer App, which analyzes your cards and tells you their value.

At a glance, if youre trying to find the cards worth scanning, the money makers usually have a star on the bottom right corner. You may also see a circle or diamond in that space. A circle means the card is common, while a diamond means that it is uncommon. A star means that the card is rare, but keep in mind that circle and diamond cards can also be valuable if they were printed in 1999 or 2000.;

Pokmon Base Set 1st Edition Shadowless Holo Ninetales #12

Your Old Pokemon Cards Aren’t Worth A Fortune

Not the fire Pokémon shiny youd be hoping for back in 1999, Ninetales is the evolved form of Vulpix.

Designed to look like a golden-white nine-tailed fox, its inspired by the kitsune, which is a Japanese fox spirit.;

Its backed by a cool blue holo background, but Ninetales Fire Blast attack is one of the more powerful in the base game.

Its not the most popular Pokémon with a western audience, but there are only 67 gem mint copies according to the registry.;

The rarity hasnt translated to higher prices, but that could all change in the future.

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Best Pokmon Card Value Scanner

TCGPlayer is the only legit service that allows a customer to scan Pokemon cards online to obtain values that a fairly accurate.

In our opinion, the best place to check the value of a Pokemon card is via eBay advance search. Simply click on sold listings and auction from the advanced eBay search menu. You will be presented with a list of recently sold Pokemon cards.

To obtain high-end/valuable Pokemon sales on eBay use the term Pokemon PSA 10 via the advance search page.

Pokemon Players Club Shiny Umbreon: $1900

If you’ve got a soft spot for the blue and black shiny version of the Dark-type Pokemon Umbreon, then be aware that you’re not the only one. The Japanese version of the Shining Umbreon Pokemon card is pretty highly desired, with its unique coloring and gorgeous frame-piercing artwork making it fittingly beautiful as one of the first shiny Pokemon to appear on a card.

However, its price is so high because of much more than just its looks and popularity. The Shining Umbreon card only saw a very limited release through the Japanese Pokemon Players’ Club for hitting the maximum number of experience points through the club between 2005 and 2006, making it one of the rarest cards out there. For this reason, Troll and Toad has had it listed at just near and impressive $1900.

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Not Worth Much: Pikachu Latios Trainer Kit

There is nothing visually compelling about this card. It doesn’t even have descriptions for either of the moves. It just exists, and that’s really all we can say about it.

The lowest you can obtain this card is;$2. Unlike other cards, there are really no price inconsistencies. What you see is what you get.

Selling Pokemon Cards: Expert Tips And Takeaways

These Pokemon cards are worth THOUSANDS do YOU own any ...

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.

The Best Place To Sell Your Pokemon Cards Online: Ebay

;The main marketplace is for sure going to be eBay, Pratte says. Even if youre someone who just stumbled upon your childhood collection, its really easy to take a couple of pictures make a decent listing.

Why eBay? Its home to several high-profile deals, and it also caters to the $20 and $30 transactions. In short, eBay is the perfect meeting ground for nostalgic buyers and sellers and those whove been wheeling and dealing Pokemon cards since the 90s.

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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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.;