Over the past six months TCG, short for “Trading Card Game” collectible cards have been exponentially increasing in value across the board. I’m referring to the big three of Magic: The Gathering, Pokémon, and Yu-Gi-Oh. All of these properties have been seeing a dramatic upswing in price. There are many factors that could be contributing to this whether it be the COVID-19 pandemic and people are board or uncertainty in financial institutions due to the political climate in the country. Regardless, my advice is there is no better time to sell. But before going further, original Magic cards from Alpha, Beta, and Revised sets are excluded as they are truly rare with low print runs. Those always have and always will be a top tier holy grail for TCG collectors. This Pop Culture nerd rant is primarily target at Pokémon and Yu-Gi-Oh.
First edition Pokémon cards from the 1999 base set have always been a rarity. Even from their initial release they were so highly coveted stores would sell out within an hour of opening. People could not get enough. This stands true today as 1999 1st edition cards lead the way in the marketplace. Hypothetically if you’re a lucky duck at home with a 1st edition Charizard in mint condition it’d be easily a $50,000 plus card. If you were very delicate and never touched it or looked at it and it graded a Gem 10 today, you’d have a $200,000 card. But that’s the rare bird lottery type scenario. Let’s take a look at all those other cards in the binder. Right now, in today’s market place an Unlimited print (not 1st ed.) Blastoise when graded a 9 is selling for $750.00 or more. Six months ago, you’d be lucky to get $150.00. Every card within the collecting world of Pokémon has experienced this jump. The percentage varies but in some cases cards have jumped tenfold. Grab another random card, an Unlimited print Dragonite from the Fossil set. Six months ago, in graded 9 condition you’d maybe get $80.00 to $100.00. Today that card is $500-$600 all day long. I could write a list a mile long like that.
I would bet right now there is someone reading this with a binder of cards at home. Let it be known thousands upon thousands of cards were printed. New packs even from 1999 are being opened every day. As high as prices go the supply does not seem to end. The good ole saying of strike while the iron’s hot could not be better applied. You don’t want to look back in twenty years and think of the money you could of have. Nobody needs any of this stuff to survive, it’s just paper. If you have cards you are looking to sell, feel free to reach out for help. You never want to sell outright and shortchange yourself. A collection requires the proper management and advertising, using a trusted auction house is the only way to go.
