How Much Are Your Pokémon Cards Worth?

July 26, 2022 · Your Playmat
machamp Pokémon card

The Pokémon card epidemic of the late 1990s and early 2000s was just a temporary craze for children, but for many, it was not a permanent phenomenon. As a result, families across the country hid Pokémon cards in basements and warehouses. Of course, the biggest question for 20 years is: are these Pokémon cards worth anything today? If yes, how to keep Pokémon cards longer? The answer may surprise you, but don't start counting your money yet.

Read on to find the answers to these questions and know more about the Pokémon industry.

How To Get To Know Pokémon Card Price

charizard pikachu and mewtwo

The best way to find out the price of a Pokémon card is to look at the sales history. After all, Pokémon cards are used for paying volunteers at the official card contests. That means they are worth something. Unfortunately, there are not official Pokémon card price checker, but you can use the next sources for Pokémon card price checks: 

  1. eBay has the most significant number of Pokémon cards sold online;
  2. Pokemonprices.com is constantly updated with eBay and Amazon ticket sales to show you the average price of a particular ticket;
  3. TCGPlayer is an online store for buying and selling playing cards. Card prices reflect the average retail price of the cards displayed in the TCG Player Store.

ADDITIONAL TIP! You can also find a lot of Pokémon card price checker apps in the App Store or Google Play, but they do not guarantee 100% accurate results. Among them, there are:

  1. TCGplayer app - it is great as a Pokémon card price checker and allows you to sell your collectibles immideately to the official TCGplayer shop;
  2. PokeTCG Scanner – Dragon Shield is another great app for Pokémon card pricing;
  3. TCG HUB - allows users to add cards to virtual collections and compare Pokémon cards costs.

There are many Pokémon cards, but if you don't want to sell them individually, there are places that sell Pokémon cards in bulk. If you choose this way, remember to leave money on the table.

The first card issued is a king. Launched before Nintendo distributed the trading card games, the Pokémon cards came in two series:

  • The first edition;
  • Unlimited. 

The "Number 1" sign in the lower-left corner of the card image indicates that this is a 1st Edition card.

They are precious, but cards that are not the first edition are worth much more. For example, the Lizardon Holographic Unlimited basic set (the most popular Pokémon card on the market) costs around $215. However, a quick look at eBay reveals that the first issue of Lizardon can quickly be sold for thousands of dollars.

However, the value of a Pokémon card is not always based on its rarity. Some cards are worth more because of their design or the character's popularity. For example, a Pikachu card from the first set of Pokémon cards is worth more than a Charizard card from the same set because Pikachu is one of the most iconic and beloved characters in the Pokémon universe. If you're wondering how much your Pokémon cards are worth, the best way to find it out is to consult a collector's guide or an online database.

How Much Do Your Pokémon Cards Cost?

The price of Pokémon cards you can sell depends on three main variables: 

  1. The rarity of the card;
  2. The printed version of the card;
  3. The physical quality of the card.

It is important to note that the average Pokémon pool does not make you rich. The most common and rare cards cost less than 1$, while rare cards usually cost no more than 5$.

However, rare hologram Pokémon cards often cost $15, especially for older cards that have been kept for several years.

What Makes a Pokémon Card Valuable?

charizard card exploration

The first step in determining whether a Pokémon card is of significant value is its type and rarity. That is the probability that a card will appear in a particular or special event and if it has unique attributes, such as the stock of cards or the Pokémon type.

  • Each card has a rare symbol that can vary greatly depending on when the card is printed. A sign at the bottom of a card or next to its name means it is rare;
  • Circles indicate the popularity of the card, diamonds are rare, and stars are rare. The more stars, letters or combinations of letters, the rarer they will be in the name or elsewhere on the card.

Other attributes that may increase the rarity include: 

  • Prints more than is necessary for a particular set(e.g. 66/65);
  • Holographic image or vice versa;
  • Everything except the artwork is 3D;
  • An image that covers the entire card. 

*Pokémon are works of art that do not cast shadows. All gloss characteristics should not be confused with holography.

There are also special types of cards, such as the special events mentioned above. This card can be given to the winner of the tournament. For example, the Trophy Pikachu Trainer Card, one of the most popular cards, is issued only to Japanese winners and is rarely used due to a lack of sellers. A Pikachu picture card that won the Pokémon lottery sells for $ 90,000. Lack is not the only factor in decision-making but is undoubtedly essential. Some of the best-selling Pokémon cards, priced in the tens of thousands of dollars or unavailable, are considered "valued" because they are rare, such as mistakes and typos.

For the most common cards that do not meet these specifications, our online access advice is to sell them together. Each card can cost up to a few dollars, but all can be a little more expensive. It is not a bad idea for those who want to get rid of the clutter of ordinary cards and make money.

What About Proper Card Protection?

Pokémon card protectors

It doesn't matter if you want to sell or keep your Pokémon cards. It is essential to know how to store them. If you are interested in the first one, keeping the card safe will retain its value. 

And even if you are not interested in selling, you do not want to damage your property without proper storage.

Rare Pokémon Cards Protection

Because the quality of Pokémon cards is as important as their value, it's essential to protect each one. To keep your Pokémon cards in good condition, keep them in separate sleeves. There are two main types of card protection solutions:

  • Penny Sleeve: This thin, flexible, slim sleeve primarily protects your cards from dirt, stains, and grease. It is not expensive (hence its name) and does not protect against cracks;
  • Toploader: This hard, transparent plastic cover protects from dirt, grime, and crusts. Use both protection solutions on each card for maximum protection for your Pokémon cards. There are also other types of card covers, such as dark card covers, which cover the back of each card. The sleeve and the Toploader are the staff that protects the trading card best.

Pokémon Card Support

Once you have put the Pokémon cards in the Toploader, you will want to put them in the box for easy storage. One option is a clear plastic box that provides good protection and lets you see what cards are inside. Another option is the classic 9-pocket tray for 3-ring connectors. Are you looking for something extraordinary?

There are many other options in the online stores, and there is always a cardboard box. Whatever Pokémon card holder you choose, make sure it sits upright on a pallet or shelf to protect it from leaking to the floor or other moisture.

Air Conditioning Storage

Like other trading cards, Pokémon cards are made of cardboard, an elegant and durable paper. As a result, Pokémon cards are vulnerable to various substances that can damage cardboard and paper, such as extreme or sudden temperature changes and high humidity.

Pokémon cards should be stored in a temperature-controlled environment, even if sleeves and boxes protect them. If it is at home, it should not be stored in the attic or behind a barn. You can keep your Pokémon cards in the basement, but installing a humidifier is a good idea if they get very wet. Another storage option is to find a temperature-controlled storage place nearby. 

These storage units can be 5x5 or the size of a closet, so you don't have to rent large blocks for multiple items. Air-conditioned storage units are stored at a constant temperature throughout the year, and most are not controlled at a specific humidity. Still, indoor air-conditioned units are usually in a suitable humidity range for storing Pokémon cards.

You have read the article, understood the value of Pokémon cards, how to protect them, and what to use as a Pokémon card price checker, but still understand that there is one crucial point left. You are thinking right! It remains to find out where you can buy cheap but effective protection for your cards.

Consider Yourplaymat as your new card security provider. Among the positive aspects of working with the company are:

  1. Price. Card protectors are sold at the most affordable prices on the market and can be suitable even for those on a low budget. You can order sleeves from 60 to 120 pieces for your extensive collection;
  2. Quality. The company creates sleeves for cards using unique technologies using high-quality materials. In addition, they are also absolutely safe and do not contain any harmful impurities for your skin since you will be in constant contact with the sleeves;
  3. Customization. The company offers ready-made solutions and allows customers to create their designs to protect Pokémon. You can put your favourite image on the front of the sleeves and make your card presentation more effective than ever.

And to contact the company and ask all your questions, you can use the special contact button.

FAQ

What Is The First Rarest Pokémon Card?

For many collectors, the Pikachu Illustrator card is seen as the rarest Pokémon card in the entire hobby and now has the price to back that up.

How Do I Know If My Pokémon Card Is Rare?

It should be a 1st Edition card, have a holographic effect, be loved by collectors or have unique mistakes. If it has all the features mentioned above, you probably have the most precious card in the world.

What Is A Pokémon Secret Rare?

Secret Rare cards with set numbers outside the printed size of the set (for example, a card numbered 101/100) are marked with and have a unique artwork scheme such as a Rainbow Holofoil print.

Are Pokémon Metal Cards Real?

Metal Pokémon cards are unofficial Pokémon cards that are covered in gold-coloured materials. The most well-known metal Pokémon cards are those included with meals at Burger King in 1999. At the time of release, these cards were sold for $20-$50, but as demand for it increases, the price has also increased.