I was just browsing on YouTube when I stumbled upon Graham Stephan’s most recent video. He spent over $11,000 buying an unopened set of Pokémon cards. For a man that refuses to spend more than a few cents on a coffee, I was shocked to see him drop so much dough on this.
So I did some digging and now I’m not so shocked. I’m actually a bit jealous he got into this investment before me. Pokémon cards were the central focus of my childhood. When you think back of your childhood, I bet quite a few memories are of trading Pokémon cards or just bringing them into school to show off your collection.
I had a binder full of all these cards, ranging from common cards to holographic rare cards. I was obsessed and at one point I’m sure I was out of control. If I remember correctly, I had most cards except for the most coveted Charizard. That is the card most people desired and is now worth the most among any other card I remember.
In fact, just a few years ago I went diving into my childhood closet to find my old cards, but sadly they were now gone. I suspect a mischievous little niece of nephew of mine got in there and took them home. I hope it wasn’t worth too much money.
But it got me thinking, were my old cards really worth anything? Watching Graham Stephan’s video made me think I was on to something. These cards have such a big nostalgia factor, I’m sure they could be a good investment.
As a big fanatic of crypto and crowdfunding, I’m of course open to expanding on my alternative investment portfolio.
What are Pokémon cards?
Pokémon cards can be summed up into 2 words: My childhood. They were a popular trading card hobby shared by most kids growing up in the 90s and early 2000s. There were 150 different Pokémon monsters and supporting cards each ranked by different rarities.
Why Are They So Valuable?
Like I mentioned before, the nostalgia factor is among the biggest reasons for why they are so valuable. People see these cards and are reminded of their past, a simpler time full of happy memories.
Also the fact that some have such limited editions makes them far more valuable than when you first purchased them.
They were a part of an ongoing cartoon show and to this day, stand as one of the most popular trading card games ever. Period. Drop the mic.
The marketing for this show was huge and in turn, sales for the trading cards rose with it. Anywhere you went, you saw children on the curb frantically ripping open a new pack to see what rare card they got.
How Much Are They Really Worth?
So I have your attention. You may have a few cards stashed somewhere in your childhood bedroom and eager to see if your cards may be worth anything. To be honest, most of your cards probably aren’t worth too much.
Common cards have a common return, barely seeing anything if sold. What you need to look for are those rare holographic cards. Those are normally worth the most, especially if first edition.
The 2 most valuable cards are the Pikachu Illustrator card and a 1st Edition Shadowless Grade 10 Charizard.
The Pikachu Illustrator card was given to winners of an art competition in 1997. Less than 20 are known to exist and are worth anywhere from $195k to over $250k. That is a lot of money for a trading card!
The Charizard, one of the most popular cards, are worth only slightly less. A 1st Edition Shadowless card was recently sold for over $226k. But that was only for a Grade 10 card, which is the highest condition a card can get.
Most cards aren’t worth over $1, but if you were one of those kids everyone was jealous of, chances are you may have a few cards worth something. Even a holographic 1st edition Blastoise is worth over $100!
Is it a worthwhile investment?
A few cards may be worth a fortune, but is it worth it to put more time and money into investing in these? Not for me, but maybe for others!
You would need to invest not just money, but a lot of time and effort tracking cards worth your while down and get them for a good price. Tracking down cards that are worth a lot or may be worth more in the future requires patience and knowledge of the trading card industry.
Like any investment, your card could be worth 100x in the future, or may just be a piece of paper. There are countless factors that go into determining the value of a Pokémon card.
I think if I still had my old cards I’d be looking to sell, but at this stage of my life, I’m only interested in stocks and digital coins.
That doesn’t mean it’s not right for everyone. Some cards, like the Charizard, are seeing returns better than if they were to put that money into the stock market. So it all depends on your luck and if you have the patience to see this through.
Famous celebrities like Logic and Logan Paul are sharing their renewed interest in the trading card game and lighting a fire in its popularity once again. So if you’re interested in pursuing a collection in Pokémon cards and bringing it all back from your childhood, go have fun and hope you catch them all!
Now I’ve got the theme song stuck in my head.
