And, if theyre lucky, a rare card that could make them a fortune.
For Scott Pratte, a Pokemon enthusiast and card-trading expert, the hobby never dimmed.
Pratte collects and sells some of the most treasured Pokemon cards in the world.
Illustration by Chris Zuppa and Adam Hardy
Ive done seven-figure deals, Pratte said.
Thats just one deal, not even my lifetime earnings.
Or, youre not ready to let go of the ones you do have?
So hang on to them, or even better, make extra money on top of that sale.
Here is his best advice:
Are Your Pokemon Cards Worth Selling?
The two biggest value factors to consider if you want to sell Pokemon cards are their rarity and condition.
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Rarity: Is Your Collection All That Special?
Holographic cards: These are the most discernable at first glance.
Theyre typically referred to as holo cards, and only 16 of the original 102 are holo.
First-edition cards: Directly next to the bottom left corner of the illustration appears the edition 1 logo.
Shadowless cards: This version is almost identical to the first-edition prints but excludes the first-edition logo.
It can also help to confirm the index number on the far bottom right of the card.
If it is x/102 without a logo, then it is a base set card.
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.
Despite its name, the PSA grades all kinds of trading cards, including non-sports cards like Pokemon.
According to itscurrent valuations, first-edition cards in perfect condition are valued at a minimum of $100.
Those arent rarer, holographic cards either.
A first-edition holo in mint condition can rake in thousands to tens of thousands of dollars.
So why Prattes $100 limit?
Its a process, PSA spokesperson Terry Melia said.
But its something that could reap big rewards in the end.
There are a lot of forgeries and bogus merchandise out there, Melia said.
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ones that were acquired as prizes for winning competitions in the late 90s and early 2000s.
(But as Pratte notes, they may sell privately for much higher and may be subject to NDAs.
)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.
Note how the condition (on a scale of one to 10) drastically changes the value.
Valuable Pokemon Cards
(Yes, that Holo Pikachu Illustrator reallyis listedfor $4 million.)
Its home to several high-profile deals, and it also caters to the $20 and $30 transactions.
So you’re able to expect a lowball offer.
If you want to sell them locally and in-person, try comic book shops or hobby shops instead.
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 in the summer of 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.
They have sold for as much as $420,000 at auction.
Most recently, the card sold for $270,600, according to the PSA.
In true Marie Kondo fashion: if owning the cards brings you joy, then keep them.
If selling them would bring you more joy, do that instead.
PSA also offerslower prices for grading cards in bulk, with a collectors club membership.
But interest doesnt pick up overnight.
Its not binary in that sense, Pratte said.
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.
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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.
Freelancer Dennis Lynch contributed to this post.
