The man found four Pokemon cards worth £1,500 (stock photo) (Image: Getty)
If you collected Pokémon cards when you were younger, or if you have a child who did, then you might want to check your loft for any cards you might have stored away – as they could be worth a fortune.
The Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) was first released in 1996, shortly after the first two video games in the franchise, and it has since become a worldwide phenomenon. While millions of Pokémon fans still actively play the card game, the physical media has taken on new life as a collector’s piece, with people paying thousands of pounds for one rare card.
In fact, the most expensive card to date is the 1998 Illustrator Pikachu card, which social media influencer Logan Paul purchased for $5,275,000 (£3,862,424) in 2022.
While it might be unlikely that you have a Pokémon card worth that much in your collection, you could still earn several hundred pounds from a single card if you have some sought-after pieces from the early years of the card game.
One man recently shared a video on TikTok in which he revealed he made over $2,000 (£1,500) from just four cards that he found while clearing out his parents’ wardrobe.
READ MORE The old Pokemon cards you may own worth £7,000 each [INSIGHT]
The man, named Mitch, explained he had an old collection of Pokémon cards in his parents’ house, and recently found the box he stored them in. After sorting through all the cards to find the rarest ones, he sent them off to the Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) to have them officially graded.
PSA is the largest and most trusted card grading service. The grading system analyses your cards for any wear and tear or printing errors and gives you a rating out of 10 based on how pristine the card is. Cards rated PSA 10 will be worth much more than those rated lower, although PSA 8 and 9 can still be worth some money.
Mitch showed off his first card, a 2001 holographic Umbreon, which received a PSA 8. It cost him $20 (£15) to have it graded, and the average price for a PSA 8 is around $400 (£294).
He then moved on to his second card, a reverse holographic Flareon from 2002, which bagged an almost perfect PSA 9. Costing another $20 (£15) to have it graded, Mitch could sell the card for around $450 (£330).
The man’s third card was a Dark Dragonite from the 2002 Legendary Collection. The card cost him another $20 (£15) to have it graded, where it received a PSA 8, and would fetch him $500 (£367) if he sold it.
Finally, Mitch showed off the rarest card in his collection, a reverse holographic Mewtwo from the same 2002 Legendary Collection. This card is so rare that PSA charged him $60 (£44) to have it graded, and ended up giving it a PSA 9. Even without the perfect score, Mitch could sell it for a staggering $800 (£587), making it the most expensive card in his set.
In total Mitch could sell his cards for around $2,150 (£1,578). It cost him $120 (£88) in total to have the four cards graded, so his take home profit would be $2,030 (£1,490) – not bad for come cards he found in a wardrobe.
Vintage Pokemon cards are sought-after by collectors (Image: Getty)
Commenters on Mitch’s post were shocked at how high the cards were rated, especially since they’re over 20 years old. Any small imperfection on a card can get it knocked down, so your cards need to be well preserved. This isn’t always possible with old cards, especially if you were a child when you got them.
One person said: “I was really careful as a kid, but my cards are in bad shape. What do you mean PSA 9!?”
Another added: “My most valuable card I got as a kid is only worth like $50 (£37). I got unlucky as a kid and won’t ever spend a penny on cards again.”
Mitch later explained in the comments that his dad had been a collector of baseball cards, so had always told him how important it was to keep his cards in as pristine condition as possible.
How to spot a rare Pokemon card
1. Check the Rarity Symbol
Look at the bottom right corner of the card (for most sets):
- Circle (●): Common
- Diamond (◆): Uncommon
- Star (★): Rare
2. Look for Holofoil Effects
- Holo Rare: The artwork or the whole card has a shiny, holographic finish
- Reverse Holo: The card’s background (not the artwork) is holographic
- Full Art/Ultra Rare: The entire card, including the border, may be holographic and feature unique artwork
3. Examine the Card Number
- Cards with a number higher than the set (e.g., 110/99) are usually Secret Rares.
- Cards with letters like “EX,” “GX,” “V,” “VMAX,” or “VSTAR” are often rarer and more valuable.
4. Look for Special Features
- Gold Borders or Text: Indicates a Secret Rare or ultra-valuable card.
- Rainbow or Alternate Art: These are often chase cards in modern sets.
- Promo Cards: Marked with “Promo” or a black star; some promos are very rare.
5. Check the Set and Edition
- First Edition: Marked with a “1st Edition” stamp; generally more valuable.
- Older Sets: Cards from early sets (Base Set, Jungle, Fossil) are often rarer, especially if in good condition.