ALL those Pokémon cards you collected as a child weren’t a waste of money after all.
And if you’ve kept them in good nick – they could be worth up to a staggering £160,000.
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A 1999 Pokémon Charizard card recently fetched $213,500 (£160,000) at Goldin’s recently concluded “Pop Culture Elite Auction”.
Goldin had hundreds of items up for grabs, including a Disney pirate hat signed by Johnny Depp and a boxing glove inked by Sylvestor Stallone.
Despite all the celebrity memorabilia, one of the biggest sums was snagged by a palm-size piece of card.
“Ever since the release of the first Pokémon trading cards in 1996, Charizard has held a special place at the pinnacle of Pokémon fandom,” Goldin said in the listing.
“The ferocious, fire-breathing Flame Pokémon stars on this holographic treasure dating to the 1999 Pokémon issue.”
This is a very early release. The first set of Pokémon cards hit shelves in October 1996.
“The holofoil background behind the massive Charizard on the card’s front dazzles as the item presents a crisp illustration of its subject by the renowned artist Mitsuhiro Arita,” continued Goldin.
“This is a true cornerstone of the Pokémon collecting speciality, and an incredible piece that would instantly be the crown jewel of any Pokémon collection.”
Other valuable Pokémon items sold in the recent auction include the Pokémon Japanese Promo Family Event Trophy Card Holofoil Kangaskhan collectible which sold for $68,321 (£51,175).
The Pokémon Japanese CoroCoro Comics Promo Best Photo Snap Gyarados collectible which snagged $51,113 (£38,285).
And “one of the rarest Pokémon promo cards ever minted,” according to Goldin, the 1998 Pokemon Japanese Promo 64 Mario Stadium Best Photo #109 Snap Koffing – which netted $37,805 (£28,315).
According to Price Charting, a website that tracks the sale prices of games, cards and comics, there are several more cards that can fetch a pretty penny.
Though it’s worth noting these prices are for Grade 10 quality pieces – cards which have no noticeable flaws.
Here’s 10 Pokémon cards you should look for at home:
- Chansey [1st edition] – £29,925
- Blastoise [1st edition] – £15,600
- Charizard [Shadowless] – £11,750
- Venusaur [1st edition] – £9,425
- Blastoise [Shadowless] – £9,130
- Gyarados [1st edition] – £8,400
- Alakazam [1st edition] – £8,040
- Mewtwo [1st edition] – £6,845
- Ninetales [1st edition] – £5,985
- Booster Pack [1st edition] – £5,760
What does Grade 10 mean?
Having a Grade 10 Pokémon card means it is in perfect condition – and can fetch the highest sum.
According to the Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA), 10 is the best possible grade you can get.
It’s defined by the PSA as “a perfect card with no discernible flaws”.
While a Grade 9 is considered “mint” condition.
A card of Grade 9 quality has only a few very minor imperfections.
This could be something as slight as an off-white border, a tiny printing flaw or a minor wax stain on the back.
While not perfect, a PSA 9 card still holds significant value and is considered a high-grade collectible.
A PSA 9 card is typically one that has been well looked after, with four sharp corners and only minor wear on the edges.
Pokémon cards require assessment and verification of their condition by professional grading services like PSA.
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