How to Price Pokémon Cards

If you're planning to sell your Pokémon cards, it's essential to know how to determine their value to ensure you get the best price. Fortunately, pricing Pokémon cards is relatively simple once you understand the key factors to look for.

Check the rarity. Each Pokémon card has a defined rarity, which indicates how likely it is to be found in a pack. While rarity isn't the only factor in determining the card's price, it's one of the most important. Look at the bottom right corner of the card to find the rarity symbol next to the card number:

• Circle indicates a common card, while diamond marks a rare card. These cards are easier to find and typically don't have a high value unless they are from the 1999 or 2000 sets.
• Star represents a very rare card, while H Star or 3 stars are special, ultra-rare cards. These cards are likely to be worth the most, so be sure to separate them from the rest of your collection.
• There are other signs that a card may have been part of a special release, rather than a standard pack. Look for terms like "Promo," "Deck Kit," or "Boxtopper" on the card, as these often indicate a limited-edition release. These cards can range from a few cents to over $100, depending on the product type.

Check the Release Date. Cards produced in the early days tend to be especially valuable, whether they are common or rare, often worth around $5 or more. Any card with the words "Wizards of the Coast" printed at the bottom from 1999 or 2000 is worth a closer look. If the card has one or both of these features and is of a very rare type, it could be priced over $100.

• Look for the first edition stamp on the lower left corner of the artwork. It’s a number 1 inside a black circle with the word "edition" arching above it.
• If the card’s border lacks a shadow, it’s known as a "shadowless" card in collector circles.

Check the Collection Number. Look at the number printed in the bottom right corner of the card. This is another way to gauge value and may lead you to discover other valuable traits:

• Secret rare cards are numbered higher than the total number of cards in a set (for example, "65/64" or "110/105"). Secret rares typically range from a few dollars to hundreds of dollars.
• If the number starts with "SH," it’s a "Shining Pokémon" card with a unique illustration style. These are often "Reverse Holo" cards as well.
• If there’s no number, it may be an early edition card. Though unnumbered cards were still printed in Japan for some time, this feature still warrants evaluation.

3D Cards. "Holo" cards often have a shiny, reflective layer over the illustration, while "Reverse Holo" cards feature a glowing background (excluding the artwork). These aren’t always valuable, but a rare holo (or reverse holo) card should be separated in your collection.

• Some special cards will only have a reflective border. These can also hold potential value, so refer to the guide below for more details.

Check for Symbols or Keywords After the Name. Pokémon cards from before HeartGold SoulSilver often have a level printed after the name in the top right corner, such as "Pikachu LV.12." Some Pokémon cards have special characters, and these can range in value from a few dollars to several hundred dollars. Look for cards with labels like ex, ☆, LV.X, LEGEND, or BREAK. Other rare cards are referred to as "SP," meaning "Special Pokémon," and usually have stylized letters like G, GL, 4, C, FB, or M. The SP logo in the bottom left corner of the illustration easily identifies these cards. The SP Pokémon belong to the Pokémon Platinum: Rising Rivals set.

• LEGEND Pokémon are typically printed across two cards, which must be placed side by side to form a complete image.

Other Indicators of Value. Over the years, Pokémon has released special, ultra-rare cards that were only available through promotional events. Most of these can be valued using the criteria listed above, but there are a few exceptions that can be worth significant amounts due to other factors:

• Cards with full-bleed artwork, where the art fills the entire card and text is overlaid, are often referred to by collectors as "FA" cards.
• Cards from the World Championship tournaments have a different back design compared to regular cards. Though not playable, some of these cards are valued over $10 or more due to their collectible nature.

Check the prices of cards on online marketplaces. There are thousands of unique Pokémon cards, and their prices fluctuate over time based on sellers, buyers, and speculative trading. New cards may quickly lose value once they are no longer eligible for tournaments. Due to these factors, it's advisable to check the prices of cards currently being sold to determine a more accurate value than outdated price guides.

• Look at Pokémon card selling pages on eBay, or search Google using the format (card name) + "selling". Make sure to include any special features mentioned above.
• Most online marketplaces display the company's selling price. Check the "buylist" section to see how much the company is willing to pay for your cards. If you sell to another player, the price might fall between those two values.

Consult other Pokémon players and collectors. It can be difficult to accurately price cards, especially rare ones, as they are often not listed for sale. Consider visiting forums where Pokémon cards are traded and post an image or description of your card for feedback. Alternatively, visit a local game or toy store for a valuation.

• Be cautious of scams. Always seek multiple opinions on your card's value before selling to a stranger.

Consider the condition of the card. If the card is free from any noticeable damage, except for some white marks at the corners, it's considered to be in good or near-mint condition and can be sold for a higher price. Different companies may have different guidelines for damaged cards, but generally, the value drops significantly if the card is faded, scratched, or marked. Many buyers will avoid cards that are drawn on, water-damaged, altered, or torn.

Sell low-value cards in bulk. Any card without unique characteristics in the description is unlikely to be worth more than a few cents. If you frequently check prices, you'll find that even rare cards rarely exceed a dollar. Online stores often sell these cards in bulk, and this is the most effective way to earn more from these common cards.

• Sell newly released cards before they are no longer eligible for tournament play to maximize their value.
• Try to maintain your cards in good or near-mint condition. This will give you a better chance of selling them at a higher price in the near future.
• Highlight the strengths of your card. If it has high power stats, consider adding an extra 1-2 dollars to the selling price.
• Small card sleeves can protect your cards from dirt and oil. These are called card sleeves.
• Store your cards carefully when not in use to avoid bending or damaging them.
• It's advisable to keep valuable cards in a separate box, apart from your common cards.
• If you have a Full Art card with a rainbow shine, it's a Rainbow Rare and can fetch a VERY HIGH price.
• If you own a card with Japanese text alongside its English translation, it’s a Secret Rare and will likely sell for more than a regular card.

• Retail businesses that sell trading cards typically do not allow others to buy or sell cards in their store area.