History of Pokémon Cards
The Pokémon TCG was first released in Japan in October 1996, following the launch of the original Pokémon video games (Pokémon Red and Green) for the Game Boy.
The game quickly became a sensation, spurred on by the existing Pokémon craze. The blend of collectible elements with a competitive gameplay drew a wide audience. The first set, known as the Base Set, featured iconic Pokémon such as Charizard, which swiftly became a highly sought-after card.
Following its success in Japan, the Pokémon TCG rapidly spread to other countries. By the end of 1999, it was available in various languages and had established a strong presence in North America, Europe, and other regions.
Box with over 850 cards.
What Makes a Collectible Card?
The most collectible Pokémon cards are often highly sought after due to their rarity, condition, historical significance, and, in some cases, their connection to competitive play.
Rarity
Cards that were printed in smaller quantities are inherently more rare and thus more collectible. This includes promotional cards, special event cards, and limited edition releases. Holographic cards, where the artwork is shiny or reflective, are typically rarer than their non-holographic counterparts. Shiny or alternate-coloured Pokémon variants (e.g., Shining Pokémon, Gold Star Pokémon) also fall into this category. Cards distributed through specific events, tournaments, or collaborations are often limited in number and highly sought after.
Grading and Condition
The condition of a card significantly impacts its value. Professional grading services such as PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator) or Beckett assign grades based on factors like centering, corners, edges, and surface quality. Higher-graded cards (e.g., PSA 10) are more valuable.
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First Editions
Early releases, especially the first edition sets from the late 1990s and early 2000s, hold historical value. These include the Base Set, Jungle, Fossil, and others.
Popularity of the Pokémon Featured
Cards featuring popular Pokémon like Charizard, Pikachu, and Mewtwo are inherently more desirable due to their widespread recognition and appeal.
1999 Pokemon Game, Charizard - Holo, PSA Graded.
Unique Features and Artwork
Unique or alternate artwork, especially from renowned artists or featuring special designs, enhances a card's appeal. Features such as holofoil patterns, reverse holographics, full-art illustrations, and unique card borders can also make a card stand out.
Promotional Cards
Promotional cards are often distributed through special events, magazines, or as part of promotional campaigns. Their limited availability makes them highly collectible. Certain sets are designed to be limited or exclusive, such as tournament prize sets, collaboration sets, or anniversary editions.
Tournament and Event Awards
Cards awarded to winners or participants of official Pokémon tournaments and events are extremely rare and highly prized by collectors.
Misprints and Error Cards
Cards with printing errors, such as incorrect colours, missing elements, or unusual text, can become highly collectible due to their uniqueness. Some error cards gain notoriety and demand within the community, increasing their collectibility.
The World’s Most Expensive Pokémon Card
The Pikachu Illustrator Card, released in 1998, is a promotional card for Corocoro magazine, known for many iconic promos throughout Pokémon history. In 2022, YouTube influencer Logan Paul paid approximately £3.99 million for it, making it the most expensive Pokémon card ever sold.
Pokémon Cards has been collected and traded since 1996.
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