Take The Time To Study Their Worth
As Pokemon re-enters mainstream culture with the release of new video games and movies, expect to see an uptick in buying and selling activity of old cards. But interest doesnt pick up overnight.
Its not binary in that sense, Pratte says.
Instead, its a more gradual process where each new Pokemon-related release reminds twenty- and thirty-somethings of their childhood: the crinkling sound of ripping open a new pack of cards followed by a strong whiff of ink as they shuffle through the set, hoping to find something rare.
But as you rummage through your collection, remember that theres no rush to purge now. Spend some time with your cards. See if theyre valuable. Consider getting them authenticated. Then decide if theyre worth selling.;
After two decades, Pokemon and its card-collecting hobbyists arent going anywhere anytime soon.
Adam Hardy is a former staff writer for The Penny Hoarder and specializes in stories on the gig economy. Hes a University of South Florida graduate, who studied magazine journalism and sociology.;
Look For Rare Pokemon Cards
Some cards could be worth more than others because they have unique features like holofoil or a special symbol. Other cards may not have many copies.;
Heres how to identify rare Pokemon cards.
Rarity Symbols
To determine how common or uncommon a card is, you can look for rarity symbols.
Most Pokemon cards have one of three rarity symbols:
- Stars: Rare
- Diamonds: Semi-rare
- Circles: Common
Cards with a star icon on the back are the rarest and can be worth the most money. You will want to pay closer attention to these rare cards and look for additional special features that add value.
Holofoil
If you collected Pokemon cards as a kid, you likely got excited when a pack of cards contained a holofoil card. They just looked cooler than all the other cards.;
Now theres another reason to be excited about holofoil cards. These cards are more valuable than a standard card thats ink-only. The entire Pokemon image may be holographic or only the reverse side.;
Rare Letters
Certain card series have rare letters stamped on the front.;
Some examples include these stamped letters:
- GX
- LEGEND
- LV.X
These letter stampings can be for recent releases with the United States version of the Sun & Moon set launching in 2016.;
Secret Numbers
Some cards may have a secret number that is higher than the actual number. For example, you might have card number 123 of 100 printed cards.
It can be worth your time to have a professional card grader verify the authenticity and condition of rare cards.;
Organize Cards By Set
Pokemon has been around for over 20 years. In the United States, there are more than 70 sets from the 1990s until now.;
Its best to organize your cards by set and then numerical order. This organization lets potential buyers quickly inspect cards and can help you earn more money since the store doesnt spend time cataloging the cards.
You can find a complete setlist on sites like Pokellector. Creating a free account lets you build a checklist to quickly see which cards you have and the ones youre missing.
There are other apps and websites you can use as well. The best catalogs display the current sales price, letting you estimate how much money you can make by selling the full collection.;
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Should I Get My Pokemon Cards Graded
Getting your Pokemon cards graded can take a while, and it can cost you about $20 per card. With that in mind, you should consider getting your card graded so long as its value exceeds about $20.;
Some exceptions apply. For example, if you own an entire base set that youre looking to sell , getting each card graded may be worth it even if an individual card is worth less than $20 as having the entire set graded would enhance its overall value.
Is The Card Market A Bubble Ready To Pop
Everyone Marketplace spoke with gave us mostly the same assessment: prices for some cards will probably decrease eventually, but theyre not going to tank so badly that the entire market will crash.;
The degree of the decline and when will depend on the type of card, according to Eugene Smith. The vintage cards released back in the 90s are no longer being printed and are basically part of history now, meaning many of them will likely continue to have value.
But because grading companies like PSA are still going through a backlog of cards, Smith thinks there will be an increase in supply.
Then post-holidays, theres going to be far less consumer spending happening. Its pretty much a perfect scenario for a decrease a correction, Smith said of the Pokémon vintage card market.
Garcia agrees that prices will eventually level off, although he doesnt think theyll dip that drastically.
Pokémon is one of those things thats never gone out of style, he said.
Since Pokémon first launched on the GameBoy in 1996, the franchise has spawned the trading card game, a wildly popular anime series that continues to run new episodes, dozens of console games and Pokémon Go, which was The Summer Event of 2016 and helped add $7.5 billion in market value to Nintendo within 48 hours.
Many collectors, like Caitlin Sidhu, Kalvin Foley and Jason A., became Pokémon fans when they were kids, proving its longevity.;;
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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.
Buy Or Sell A Used Vehicle In Ontario
Know the steps you need to take to buy or sell a used vehicle in Ontario.
Before you sell a used vehicle, you need to:
- buy a Used Vehicle Information Package
- make sure that the Vehicle Identification Number on your vehicle matches the number on your permit
- check to ensure the vehicle has no money owing on it
When you sell your vehicle, you need to;give the buyer:
- the Used Vehicle Information Package
- a signed Bill of Sale with your name, the buyers name and address, the date and purchase price
- a completed and signed Application for Transfer this is found on the back of an ownership permit, under the vehicle portion
- a certificate that verifies the vehicle meets safety standards
- you will need to get this from a licensed mechanic
- look for a green and white sign with Ontario Motor Vehicle Inspection Station on it
You keep:
- your licence plates
- the plate portion of your permit
- you will need this if you want to register your plates on another vehicle
- you can also request a refund for any full months left on your plate stickers
Finding out if money is owed on a vehicle
A Used Vehicle Information Package will tell you if there is any debt/money owing on your vehicle.
If there is a lien on the vehicle, you can contact the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services, Personal Property Security Branch, for more information:
Toronto area:
Before buying a used vehicle you should:
When you buy a vehicle, ensure the seller gives you:
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The Future Of Pokmon Cards
Given this is vintage, the original high graded cards, sealed boxes and packs are scarce. The probability for further profits is strong. Due to demand, desire and drive, the Pokémon Game appears to be safe. Over $10 Billion in card sales since 1996 is staggering.;
Long term investing has paid off in a short term for collectors in 2020. So far, the only people losing are the ones who sell too soon. Its a winning proposition due to Pokémon culture being bigger than any competing market. They flat out win. Television, video games, cards, it’s still going strong. The children collecting today know all about the original cards and they covet them. Can you name the top 10 sports cards to own pre-1980? The children collecting today can name the top Pokémon Cards from 1999.;
During this recession, prices have only gone up. That was bound to happen regardless, but the speed at which prices have soared is impressive. The only concern moving forward is liquidity drying up, but that would impact the entire card market and more.;;;
The first generation of collectors is dropping record money on these cards because all the indicators show Pokémon is still wildly undervalued. The new investors who research and make rational decisions should see major profits moving forward. If you are selling, make sure you pay close attention to detail.;
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
6. Nostalgic elements
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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.
Examples Of Valuable Pokemon Cards
The table below includes the values of some of the rarest Pokemon cards in the world, i.e. ones that were acquired as prizes for winning competitions in the late 90s and early 2000s.;
These types of cards were never available to the general public, and they make headlines every so often by selling for six figures at auction. The table also includes some cards that were available publicly as part of the original base set prints. According to Pratte, these are the most commonly sold cards among hobbyists. And if you do have a rare card in your collection, its likely to be of this type. Note how the condition drastically changes the value.
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How To Find The Value Of Your Cards
Taking your old cards out of the closet and researching to find their current value is the most common way people are getting back into Pokémon. When trying to figure out a cards value, make sure to follow these steps:
Step 1.;Find the year of the card. Check the bottom year of the card.
Step 2.;Find the set the card belongs to. If there is no logo on the right side, its Base. Every other set has an indicator.;
Step 3. Identify the card with the name and number in the set.;
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.
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St Ives: Forgotten Pokemon Cards Fetch 19k At Auction
Sealed Pokemon card sets left forgotten in two boxes have sold for more more than £19,000 at auction.
The cards were sold by an electrical contractor from St Ives, Cambridgeshire, after he came across them during a house move.
They were sold by Hansons Auctioneers in Derbyshire.
The two boxes, which were bought for £30 each about 21 years ago, were sold after the owner researched the “bonkers” prices they could fetch.
One, a sealed Pokemon Fossil first edition Booster Box, sold for £10,000.
The other, a sealed Pokemon Neo Discovery Unlimited Booster Box was sold for £9,400.
Speaking before the sale, their owner said: “It is bonkers, I know, but these are the kind of prices Pokemon cards are fetching now.”
Both were imported from America and were described by the auction house as extremely rare.
The original owner used to run a toy shop with his wife in St Neots, Cambridgeshire, selling Pokemon cards.
“When the shop closed, I put some of the unsold cards to one side at home, then forgot about them,” he said.
“I never imagined they would be worth thousands of pounds today. But there are a lot of serious collectors now and lockdown fuelled the hobby even more.”
David Wilson-Turner, head of toys at the auctioneer, said the cards were sold to two separate bidders from the UK, who wished to remain anonymous.
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An Unopened First Edition Set Of Pokmon Cards Deemed The Pinnacle Of Pokmon Collecting Just Fetched $408000 At Auction
It turns out playing with your Pokémon cards was a big mistake.
Sarah Cascone, January 22, 2021
Did your mother make you throw out your old Pokémon cards? Now you have an opportunity to show her that they really could have been worth a lot of money one day. An unopened first edition set of Pokémon cards just fetched a world record;$408,000 at the Comics & Comic Art Signature Auction sale at Heritage Auctions in Dallas.
Released in 1999 by game publisher Wizards of the Coast, the original run of US Pokémon cards featured 102 cards, including the coveted Charizard, the powerful dragon-like final form of the fire Pokémon Charmander. The record-setting auction lot is a sealed box of first edition;cards featuring 36 booster packs of 11 cards each, or 396 cards total, all of which are in gem mint condition , according to the auction house.
Due to their low print run, these box sets have become extremely scarce, especially those still in the original sealed state, wrote Heritage. It is considered the pinnacle of Pokémon box collecting.
The auction featured 16 lots of;Pokémon collectibles, collectively accounting for more than $1.3 million in sales.
This Pokémon First Edition Base Set Sealed Booster Box set a world record;with a $408,000 sale at Heritage Auctions, Dallas. Photo courtesy of Heritage Auctions.
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Best Channels To Buy Pokmon Cards
1. eBay:
The safest online marketplace to buy and sell Pokémon cards. Check sales for a quick look at where cards are at price wise. Check seller reviews and buy with confidence from high rated sellers. eBay is the largest online marketplace and is your best chance to locate inventory.;When searching for cards, look at items nearest you, and contact nearby sellers, potentially creating a local network. It saves on shipping and more. Load up your watch list to get faster alerts when cards sell or are pulled.;
2. Facebook groups & Instagram:
Look for feedback from sellers to check legitimacy, these are great places to score deals and build relationships within the collecting community but beware of scams.;
3.;COMC:
4. Mercari:
Popular marketplace to buy and sell cards. When hunting for low population cards, its important to utilize all options.;
5. Card Shows & Stores:
If you can find a show or store with vintage Pokémon cards, go. You get the chance to look at cards in person, check sales online, network and decide whats of value. You never know what you can walk away with.