This year is the 25th Pokemon anniversary, and it’s never been a better time to sell Pokemon cards for profit.
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What are Pokemon Cards?
Pokémon cards are part of ‘Pokemon’, the worldwide Japanese franchise. Pokémon is short for ‘pocket monsters.’ The avatars on each card live in the wild or with their trainer (the person with the card.) There are now thousands of cards in the market. However, there are only 102-cards, in the 1999 1st edition base set, which is today the most valuable. The idea behind the Pokemon cards is to “catch them all” and then battle with friends. Other subsidiaries of Pokémon include TV shows, movies, video games and toys.
Do you have a Charizard?
I recently spotted a Charizard selling on eBay for over $300,000.
I have fond memories of trading Pokemon cards at school. In fact, many 30-year-olds do. The Pokemon cards you may have collected could be worth a small fortune. Collecting Pokemon cards for profit may not be a bad idea. Especially if the cards are 1st generation!
You may find some treasures berried deep under your childhood bed, in the loft or even the wardrobe. It’s a great time to visit your parent’s house!
If you were a smart child you may have one of the rare ‘shiny’ cards stored away in a plastic sleeve or in one of those Pokemon folders we all admired.
For many kids, Pokemon cards were love at first sight. When I think of the year 1999, I automatically think of them. I have many happy memories of trading them in the playground and forming life-long friendships.
Thinking back now, trading was not only fun but it also taught me basic business skills.
Are Pokemon Cards Worth Selling?
When you have a strong sense of nostalgia, reminding you of childhood. It can be hard to sell the Pokemon cards you love… But then when you realise how much some of them go for, you may change your mind.
The most valuable Pokemon cards are in the base set. The original 102 base set cards were printed in 1999, which include the classic Pokemon such as Pikachu, Alakazam, Charizard and Squirtle.
Complete base sets can be sold for 6 digits and a few cards on their own can be worth thousands. Here are two visual indicators that the most valuable and sought overcards have;
- Holographic cards: The Pokemon is shiny and reflective. There are only 16 of these out of 102.
- First-edition cards: In the left corner of the illustrations there is an “edition 1” logo.
Another important factor in a card’s value is the condition, and how well the card has been taken care of.
If you have a card that you think may be sitting gold, it’s a great idea to get it graded by a trusted source such as a Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) or one of the other top card Authenticators such as Beckett. The top graders send your card back in a protective case with the grade and barcode clearly visible at the top.
In addition to grading the condition of the card, PSA ensures the card is the real deal, by using high-powered lights and magnifying equipment.
Where do I sell Pokemon Cards?
After you’ve done the research, and are confident you have the real McCoy – Send it in for authentication and look into placing it onto eBay.
PSA’s grading system and authentication make selling online trustable to the buyer because no one wants to receive a fake card and go through the eBay dispute process.
You may feel your cards have sentimental value, so don’t rush selling. Spend some time with your cards and enjoy them again first. Collectors place Pokemon cards into display cabinets.
For me, the best thing about owning Pokemon cards is the carefree childhood nostalgia it brings. There are so many reasons to get into this business. If Pokemon isn’t your thing, maybe football stickers or baseball cards are.
Opportunities in trading are everywhere. Cards take up very little space making them a great investment for the future. Have Fun.
Where do I buy Pokemon Cards?
The most popular place to buy Pokemon cards is eBay. But be careful you are buying an authentic version of a card and make sure you are overwhelmed by the feeling of nostalgia. I once bought a card with my heart instead of my brain and it turned out to be a fake, this was an expensive lesson learnt.
Cards that are authenticated with a PSA scoring system, are generally more trustable than without as you know exactly what you are buying. The higher PSA score, the better quality the card is. If possible also see the card in person before you buy.
How can I store my pokemon cards?
Many people store their Pokemon cards in a bounded folder. Other people get their cards authenticated and then show off what they own in a locked display cabinet or a
