Even if you know nothing about Pokémon cards, you’ve probably heard that some can sell for 7 figures. However, a 7 figure Pokémon card is extremely rare and unlikely to stumble upon. That being said, it does sometimes happen. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of properly and accurately valuing Pokémon cards, including the 6 and 7-figure cards you need to know about.
How Much Are My Pokémon Cards Worth?
Well, it depends. Remember, these are more than kid’s toys; they’ve evolved into highly sought-after collector’s items over the years. Collectors are interested in rare mint condition pieces.
Most modern Pokémon cards are worth less than $1, and the rare ones are worth less than $15. But vintage cards from the late 90s and early 2000s can sell for a lot more. If in good condition, many can sell for over $100.
How To Find Pokémon Card Prices Step By Step
Since there are so many different Pokémon cards, you’ll have to search for each card individually. To start, I would suggest setting aside all of the holo cards, since they often sell for more, and start there.
Step 1: Identify The Card
There are 3 pieces of information we are looking for:
- The name
- The set number
- The Condition (Step 2)
This is all you need to get started.
The name of the Pokémon will be at the top of the card. Usually, it is just one word, but sometime’s it will be two, for example, Erika’s Venusaur.
The set number is going to be at the bottom right or bottom left of the card. The first number represents the card while the second number represents the total number of cards in the set.
Step 2: Determine The Condition Of The Card
As mentioned before, this is a big deal. Card condition is the biggest factor when determining a card’s value. For example, a first edition Base Set Charizard can go for as little as $3,000 when in poor condition, but $250,000+ when near mint.
Your card will fall into one of these condition categories:
- Near Mint (NM)
- Lightly Played (LP)
- Moderately Played (MP)
- Heavily Played (HP)
- Damaged (D)
If you need help determining which category your card belongs in, there are many helpful guides. I highly recommend this one from TCGPlayer, as it is widely considered to be fair.
Once you think you know the condition of the card, we can move on to the next step.
Step 3: Search eBay Sold Listings
Once you have the name, set number, and condition, you can search for the card. You can search right in Google and get results, but I highly recommend eBay.
eBay is the world’s largest trading card market, which makes it very easy to find the card you’re looking for. It’s also fairly transparent, so we can see how much it’s selling for, where in the world it sold, and have a look at the listing photos.
Enter into the eBay search: [Name] [Set Number] [Condition] and hit enter.
Next, filter your results by checking the “Sold Listings” box.
The reason we do this is that anyone can list their item for any price. By looking at sold listings, we can see what people are actually paying for the card.
Step 4: Additional Factors
Steps 1-3 should narrow it down pretty close, but there are a few other things to look out for.
Is Your Pokémon Card 1st Edition?
When Wizards of the Coast (WotC) printed a new set of cards, the first print run was deemed the “1st edition print”. When the new cards hit store shelves for the first time, the cards from booster packs had a small black 1st edition stamp at the lower-left corner of the illustration box.
When the first print was finished, more cards would be printed but without the stamp. These are referred to as “unlimited” print.
1st edition cards are more valuable due to their rarity. There are far fewer 1st edition copies than unlimited, so collectors desire the more rare or “original print” copies.
Is It A Misprint?
A misprint is simply an error that occurred during the manufacturing process of the card. Some can be considered extremely rare and sought-after, while others are treated as damage to the card.
In this case, you’ll want to look for any obvious signs of an error. This could include a color error, blurry text, ink spots, and many other things such as holo bleed.
Sometimes a certain card will be known to have the same error. To check, just add “Error” to your eBay search. Have a look at the results, and you’ll know pretty quickly if you have a common error as well as the value.
Is Your Pokémon Card Graded?
Graded cards are a whole other branch of trading card collecting. Basically, a grading service will authenticate your card, assign it a grade (based on condition) and seal it in a tamper-proof case.
Grading a card can double, triple, or even 10X the value of a card, especially if it is a perfect 10.
If you’re looking to value a graded card, follow steps 1-3 but add the grading company’s abbreviation followed by the grade. For example, [Name] [Set Number] [Condition] PSA 10.
Does It Have Any Special Stamps?
Pokémon cards are often reprinted but with a special stamp to commemorate an anniversary or other celebration.
Just like a 1st edition stamp, these little guys can double the value of a card. Just analyze your eBay search results and compare them to the card in your hand. Any special markings or stamps should stand out pretty quickly.
Here are some to look for:
Expensive Cards To Look For
I won’t waste your time. Below I’ve listed some of the most expensive Pokémon cards ever, that might be hiding in an old collection. If you have one of these, congratulations (most of these sell for over $500,000)
1st Edition Charizard
For Position Only Cards
Prototype Blastoise
Prerelease Raichu
Pikachu Illustrator
Where To Sell Your Cards
When it comes to selling cards, you have two routes to consider: local or online.
Local options include Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and your local card shops. The buy n’ sells will depend mostly on your area and the health of the hobby in your area. Selling your cards to a card shop is the quickest option, but you won’t receive market value as the shop has to make a profit as well.
Online options are more abundant, as there are dozens if not hundreds of sites to choose from. However, one ranks above all. eBay, as we stated above, is the largest card market online and you’re guaranteed to receive close to market value.
