Part of the fun of Pokemon TCG is collecting the rarest cards with the most gorgeous artwork. Some collectors will do anything to get coveted cards, and this has led to the creation of a very active Pokemon TCG marketplace. Naturally, this has caused even the most casual collectors to wonder whether their collection is worth anything.
It’s not a simple task figuring out the value of Pokemon cards, as many variables determine how much they’re worth. However, by paying attention to the rarity symbols, and factors such as whether they are holofoil, it is possible to get a good idea of whether a card is worth something. Collectors who discover they have expensive cards should consider getting them professionally appraised and protected to preserve their value.
How To Check the Rarity of Your Pokemon Cards
There are thousands of cards to collect, and they have not all been printed in equal amounts. Different cards have different “pull rates” and these determine their rarity. All cards feature one of four black symbols that reveal how rare it is. A circle means the card is Common and probably won’t sell for more than a few cents online. Cards with a diamond are Uncommon, and Pokemon cards with a star are Rare. Some cards will have a star and the word “PROMO” to alert collectors that they are holding a Promo card. These are cards that are distributed during special events or with special sets. These symbols give a rough idea of a card's value, though this is just the tip of the iceberg. For instance, there are various types of Rare cards, including Holo Rares, Ultra Rares, Secret Rares, Gold and Black Rares, Amazing Rares, and gorgeous Rainbow Rares. These various Rares have different values on the market depending on which Pokemon, Item or Trainer they depict.
Which Pokemon Cards are Valuable?
Just because a card is rare, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it is very valuable. A lot of variables determine the value of a card on the market. For instance, a holofoil card is generally more valuable than its regular counterpart. Competitively useful cards may also become expensive on the market. First-generation cards are hard to find, so even Common ones can fetch quite a bit of money. Collectors are especially fond of Alternate Art cards, so those tend to also be very valuable. Collectors love cards of popular Pokemon like Pikachu, Charizard, Mew, Mewtwo, Dragonite, and Lugia. Funny enough, cards with errors are also highly sought after. Over the years, spelling errors, misprints, and other mistakes have found their way onto some cards, and fans will fork out lots of money for these odd finds.
Where To Value Your Pokemon Cards
The easiest way to get an estimate of the value of Pokemon cards is to see how much they are currently going for on the Pokemon TCG marketplace. Reliable websites include TCGPlayer.com and TrollandToad.com, which are also where collectors can put their cards up for sale should they choose to part ways with them. CardCavernTradingCards.com is a good place to sell both cards and the Pokemon TCG Live codes that come with booster packs and boxes. Collectors who discover they have a very valuable card should consider having it authenticated and graded by professionals. Most Pokemon card collectors turn to Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA), which authenticates cards and grades them before sealing them in a protective casing.
There will be plenty more opportunities for collectors to find more valuable Pokemon TCG cards. The Silver Tempest set launches this month, and it will be the last mainline set for Sword and Shield. In January, collectors can look forward to the Paldea Collection as well as Crown Zenith.