An original set of booster cards from the first generation of the Pokémon trading card game was sold for a record price of $408,000 (approximately €336,275). The buyer does not even know exactly which cards he is getting. Nevertheless, his investment could be worthwhile.
What kind of cards are those? It is a “booster display”, meaning a complete set with 36 booster packs, each containing 11 cards. In total, the display contains 396 cards.
The sale took place via the American auction website Heritage Auctions. The display itself and all boosters are still factory sealed and come from 1999, from the first generation of Pokémon cards printed and distributed by Wizards of the Coast (Magic: The Gathering).
Since the box and the packs have never been opened, the buyer does not even know for sure which cards he will receive. However, he could make a profit if he does not want to keep the box for himself.
Trading cards are very valuable
Here’s why buying is worth it: One of the rarest and most valuable Pokémon cards could be in the box, a first edition Charizard. According to Heritage Auctions, this card is worth up to $350,000, nearly as much as the whole set itself.
The entire first generation offered only 102 different cards. While it is not guaranteed that a Charizard or even several are in the display, the probability is relatively high.
Since all cards are still factory sealed, it can be assumed that they are in “Gem Mint” condition. This is the best possible condition a trading card can be in; it is virtually perfectly preserved (via PSA).
This condition further increases the value of the cards. Even if the buyer does not sell the cards individually to collectors, he could still make a profit. Currently, Heritage Auctions offers the opportunity for the owner to receive an offer for the box – currently $530,400.
The business with trading cards: Pokémon cards are not the only sought-after trading cards. The famous Magic: The Gathering – by the way, the most complex game in the world – has similarly crazy numbers.
There, a “Black Lotus” was sold in 2019. The card is considered an absolute rarity and was extremely popular at the beginning of the card game. Its powerful effect is unique, and the card itself is today banned in many formats. The sold version is even rarer because it comes from the “Alpha version” of Magic. A collector paid over $166,000 for this Black Lotus.
