Do you want to sell your Pokemon cards? Or are you just curious to find out the value of your collection? Searching the internet for individual card prices is often the best way to find a reasonable price, but it's best to find out which ones to spend your time on before you begin. If a card is shiny, has a weird name, or is just plain weird, you may need help figuring out how to search for it on the internet. Cross your fingers and remember: the world's most valuable Pokemon card sold for $ 90,000!
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Identifying the Most Valuable Pokemon Cards
Step 1. Check the rarity of the cards
Each Pokemon card has a rarity that determines the odds of finding it in a pack. While this is not the only element that determines the value of a card, it is certainly the most important. Look in the lower right corner of the card to find the rarity symbol, next to its number:
- A circle indicates a common card, while a diamond an uncommon card. They are easy to find and cards of this type are usually not worth much, unless they were printed in 1999 or 2000.
- A star indicates a rare card, while star H or three stars indicate extremely rare special cards. These rarities are often the most valuable cards, so separate them from the rest of your collection.
- Other symbols typically indicate that the card was sold as part of a special product and not found in a pack. Try searching for the card as "Promotional", "Deck Kit" or "Boxtopper" to find the price. These cards can range from a few cents to over € 100, depending on the product.
Step 2. Look for holographic cards
The holo cards have a shimmery laminated layer on top of the card design, while the reverse holo cards are shimmery all over the design. This does not automatically make them valuable, but a rare holographic must certainly be put aside.
Some specialty cards have a holographic border all around, but no other holographic parts. These are also potentially valuable, and you can identify them more specifically by following the guidelines below
Step 3. Check for extra symbols or words after the name
On most Pokemon cards, after the name on the top right, the level appears - for example "Pikachu LV. 12". Some Pokemon instead carry special symbols, and these cards often cost from a few euros to a few hundred euros. Look for cards whose names are followed by former, ☆, LV. X, or LEGEND. Other extremely rare cards called "SP" for "Special Pokemon" have names followed by stylized G, GL, 4, C, FB, or M. The latter group is easy to identify thanks to the "SP" logo at the bottom left of the drawing.
Pokemon LEGEND are printed on two cards, which must be side by side to view the entire design and effects of the card
Step 4. Inspect older cards carefully
Cards printed immediately after the game is released are particularly valuable, and even common and uncommon cards can be worth $ 5 or more. All cards with "Wizards of the Coast" on the bottom are from 1999 or early 2000, and should be carefully examined. If any of the following features are present, and the card is rare, its selling price can rise to € 100 or more:
- Look for a first edition print below and to the left of the card design. This symbol looks like a "1" inside a black circle, with lines going outward above it.
- If the design box does not have a "shadow" underneath, the card is referred to as "Shadowless" by collectors.
Step 5. Check the serial number
Look for the serial number in the lower right corner. This is another method of identifying a card and can lead you to find special, often valuable cards:
- Secret Rares have a higher serial number than the total number of cards printed in that series, such as "65/64" or "110/105".
- If the serial number begins with "SH", the card is a "Shimmering Pokemon" type, with a different design than the regular version. All of these are reverse holographic cards.
- If there is no serial number, the card is probably one of the earliest printed, although on Japanese cards the serial number has been missing for a longer time. Often these cards don't have much value, but they are worth checking out.
Step 6. Look for other signs of worth
Many special and extra-rare promotional cards have been released over the years. Most of them are identified by one of the characteristics described above, but some cards are unusual, and in some cases valuable, for other reasons:
- Full art cards have a design that covers the entire card, with the text printed on top of it. These cards are referred to as "FA" by collectors.
- World Championships cards have a different back than normal cards. While they cannot be used in tournaments, some are worth € 10 or more as collectibles.
Part 2 of 2: Estimate or Sell Your Collection
Step 1. Look for prices on the websites where the cards are sold
There are thousands of unique Pokemon cards, and prices change over time as people sell, buy, and speculate. Recently printed cards drop in price when they are no longer available for tournament use. For these factors, looking for a card that is being sold will allow you to estimate the price more accurately than you could with a catalog, which may be out of date.
- Try Cards Online, Pokecorner, or eBay, or search the internet (your card name) + "sell". Remember to include special features, using the terms described in the identification section.
- Most internet sites show at what price a card is sold. Search the shopping list to check at what price a site is willing to buy your cards. If you sell the card to another player, the price will typically have to fall between these two numbers.
Step 2. Talk to players or collectors
It is often difficult to find a price online, especially for extremely rare cards that aren't sold often. Search the internet for a Pokemon card game forum and post a picture or description of your card for advice. You could also pay a visit to a specialty store in your area.
Beware of scams. Always ask for a second opinion on the value of your card before selling it to a stranger
Step 3. Note the condition of the card
If a card has no visible markings on both sides, except perhaps small white marks on the edges, it is considered Mint or Near Mint (perfect or near perfect condition), and you can sell it for full price. Different stores use different criteria to determine the retention quality of cards, but typically a card will be worth less if it is bleached, scratched or stamped. Many people will not purchase cards that have writing, that have been water damaged or torn.
Step 4. Sell low value cards in stock
All cards that have no particular characteristics are probably not worth more than a few cents. As you probably discovered when you researched the value of individual rares, many of them are worth just over a euro. The same online sites that sell single Pokemon cards often buy cards in bulk, and this is probably your best option to make some money from low-value cards.
