Pokémon cards were all the rage back in the day. But they have now made a comeback, where thousands of adults and children hoard these decks. The primary purpose of collecting the cards is to have a deck of 60 wherein you can engage in competition against other people. But if you have decided to step away from the game and want to sell these unique possessions, there are a few things to note.

Factors to determine the value of Pokémon cards
There are a few factors that help determine Pokémon cards prices and their value.

Special symbols
There are small symbols on each Pokémon card that could help identify its rarity. A circle indicates a common card, diamonds are printed on uncommon options, and a star marks a rare card. If you find a unique symbol apart from the ones mentioned here, it could be an ultra-rare card.

Holographic prints
A card covered with a layer of shiny art paper is considered a holographic card. If you have a reverse card, it may have a shiny layer around the artwork only rather than the entire card.

Unique collector numbers
Most unique trading cards have collector numbers that are higher than the total number of cards printed in that set. For example, a rare card may appear as 99 out of 98 or start with SH, which is considered a “Shining Pokémon.” The artwork on these cards may also differ from those on standard ones.

Additional symbols or words
Some cards released prior to the HeartGold & SoulSilver set indicate Pokémon levels after the name in the top right-hand corner, such as “Pikachu LV.12.” Other classic Pokémon cards may have special symbols in the name that may indicate that the Pokémon has some value. Look for cards with additional letters like LV.X, BREAK, or LEGEND. Some rare cards may have initials like SP (Special Pokémon) followed by G, GL, FB, or M.

Card rating
Graded cards are usually examined by a rating agency, for instance, Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA). The company uses a 10-point grading scale, starting from PSA Poor to PSA Gem Mint 10. The process includes authentication, where a series of PSA graders review the cards for authenticity, followed by grading on a scale of 1 to 10. The final step is encapsulation, where PSA puts the card in a sonically sealed, tamper-evident case, with its grade and certification number displayed on the PSA LightHouse™ label. The rating also helps identify the price of the respective trading card.

While you might get a significant value for a classic Pokémon card, you may have to pay a fee to get it graded. When you send the unique trading card to any grading agency, they may charge anywhere between $20 to $50 to assess its value.

Rare first-edition Pokémon card values
Here are some popular and rare Pokémon card choices and their values. It is important to note that the values mentioned are for 10 Gem Mint cards based on the PSA’s grading system.

Holographic Charizard
Charizard made its first appearance in the Pokémon Red and Blue video games released in the mid-90s. Trainers use the character’s fire and flying abilities to win battles. The estimated value of the card is about $24,000.

Holographic Blastoise
The estimated value of a first-edition holographic Blastoise is about $5,500. The water-type Pokémon uses cannons that retract from the shell on its back to damage its opponents with powerful water blasts and enhanced accuracy. Let’s not forget that Blastoise is one of the coolest Pokémon characters and is on the cover of the Pokémon Blue video game.

Holographic Raichu
This Pokémon is the evolved form of Pikachu, an electric type that uses its tail to gather electricity from the ground and atmosphere before electrifying its opponents. The estimated value of a Holographic Raichu is about $2,500.

Holographic Chansey
Chansey uses the egg in its pouch to execute a signature move called “Soft-boiled” to rejuvenate other Pokémon. This pink, normal-type Pokémon has a proposed value of about $3,500. If you want to trade this card, you’ll surely get an exceptional market value.

Holographic Hitmonchan
With shoulder pads, boxing gloves, and agile movements, Hitmonchan is one of the most powerful and classic Pokémon out there. The character has lightning-fast moves like jabs and special punches that are impossible to see. If you have a fighting-type Pokémon card in excellent condition, you could sell it for an estimated value of over $3,000.

Holographic Ninetales
According to the trading card, grabbing one of its many tales could put its opponent under a 1,000-year curse. Let’s not forget that Ninetales also has superpowers like the Fire Blast and Lure. If you’re looking to sell the card, you could expect a value of about $3,000.

Holographic Mewtwo
If you have a first edition Holographic Mewtwo in your card deck, you could expect to get around $2,000 for it. Apart from being part of the exclusive and powerful Legendary Pokémon group, Mewtwo is one of the most popular Pokémon of all time. This psychic-type creature can unleash immense damage against its enemies with its signature move called Psystrike.