Found an old pack of unopened Pokemon cards recently that you forgot you'd bought back in the 90s? Well, you might just be grateful that you didn't bin them or offload them on your nearest charity shop.
YouTuber Logan Paul paid just under £4million for a PSA Grade 10 Pikachu Illustrator card last month so, before you decide to have a game for nostalgia's sake, it could be worth seeking a valuation, as reported by the Liverpool Echo. Also popular in the Noughties, the cards featured pictures of different Pokemon characters, along with their stats, which were used to pit them against each other, as in the cartoon and video games.
Now, depending on their condition, some extremely rare examples of the cards and limited editions are worth hundreds of thousands of pounds, or even millions. The PSA grading relates to the condition the card is in, with a 10 meaning that it is in absolutely mint condition with no damage of any type.
Such cards are usually kept in sealed pouches to avoid scuffing or damage that would result in a significant drop in grade and value. The huge prices now being paid for the cards has been apportioned to the fact that children who used to play with them are now adults with money to spend.
The game also enjoyed a renaissance during lockdown, although it is perhaps understandable that the cards are now being regarded less of a hobby and more of an investment. Florence Codjoe, a finance expert at money.co.uk, has recommended, however, that anybody who is looking to buy or sell should make sure they compare prices.
She told Metro: "It’s sometimes hard to know if you’re selling for the right price, or if you’re being ripped off with one you have your eye on. Compare listings with similar ones across marketplaces like Amazon or eBay, or even niche selling sites like Cardmarket.
"It can help to compare historical sold prices too, to check you’re not overpaying." People who are looking to sell cards that they think could be worth a lot of money are advised to approach an auction house or specialist websites that deal in the cards.
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