How to Tell if Your Pokémon Cards Are Worth Money

Not every Pokémon card is valuable. Some can be worth just a few dollars, while others are worth far more than most people expect. The challenge is determining whether your Pokémon cards are ordinary collectibles or valuable ones. Luckily, this beginner-friendly five-point Pokémon card value checklist makes it easy to find out.

Rarity symbol

The first thing you need to check is the rarity symbol, which you can find at the bottom of the card. You'll come across these:

• Black Circle (●)
• Black Diamond (◆)
• Black Star (★)
• Double Black Stars (★★)
• Double Silver Stars (✩✩)
• Star with Promo (★ Promo)
• Gold Star
• Two Gold Stars
• Three Gold Stars

If your card has a black circle symbol, it means you have a common card. Common cards are less valuable than those with diamond (uncommon) and star (rare) symbols. Cards with star symbols cost more because they are harder to pull.

Typically, the more stars it has, the more premium the price tag is. For instance, Shining Mewtwo Neo Destiny #109 features two stars, and its ungraded, raw version costs $3,000. Plus, there are times when a common card is valuable too, especially when a collectible or popular Pokémon is featured in the artwork. That said, there are other factors you should consider beyond the rarity symbol.

Holo/Edition

Look at your Pokémon card. Does it have a reflective foil surface finish? If so, you have a holographic (or holo for short) card. These cards are often more expensive than their standard, non-holo counterparts because they were traditionally harder to pull. Combined with a popular Pokémon or an older set, the holo finish often makes a card much more collectible.

For instance, a Pikachu Legendary Collection #86 non-holo (or normal) is priced at $6, while the reverse holo near-mint version is $650.00. Both of these cards share the same artwork; the only difference is the finish.

Something to keep in mind: holo and reverse holo are different from one another. If the holographic finish is only within the artwork, that's what you call a holo. But if the reflective finish is outside the box, it's called a reverse holo.

How about First Edition cards? As their name suggests, they were manufactured in limited numbers and were technically the first production run. And you can tell if you have a first edition by looking for a "1st Edition" or "Edition 1" stamp (either in the bottom-left corner or next to the artwork box).

First edition cards from the original 1999 Base Sets are the most expensive as of this date. Now, if your card is a holo with a first edition stamp, you might have something valuable in your hands.

Condition

The value of a Pokémon card is also determined based on its condition. It is often categorized into one of these five conditions:

• Near-Mint (NM): when a card is NM, this means it is either in perfect or nearly perfect condition.
• Lightly Played (LP): an LP card has minor wear or flaws but is generally considered acceptable and negligible.
• Moderately Played (MP): if you have an MP, the wear is more visible.
• Heavily Played (HP): an HP card has more significant defects, such as creases or stains.
• Damaged (DMG): if your card has major border wear, tears, or even splitting, it falls under DMG.

To assess the condition of your card, you can check for the following:

• Corners — are there any damages on the corners?
• Edge — particularly if there is whitening on the borders.
• Surface — are there any visible surface imperfections like scuffs or scratches?
• Centering — is the artwork centered?
• Back — are there any scuffs or stains?

Something to keep in mind: some cards might still be valuable even if they are not in pristine condition. For instance, a lightly played Charizard ☆ δ Dragon Frontiers #100 is valued at $4,000.00.

Demand

Aside from the condition of your card, you should also consider whether there are collectors actively looking for it. Why? Demand can have a surprisingly large impact on price.

Two cards with the same rarity can sell for completely different amounts simply because one features a more popular Pokémon. For instance, collectors generally pay a premium for Charizard, Pikachu, Umbreon, and Gengar because they have large fan bases. Meanwhile, a card of the same rarity featuring a less recognizable Pokémon (Swirlix, Eiscue, etc.) may sell for significantly less despite being equally difficult to pull.

So, when assessing the demand for your cards, consider the following:

• Does it feature a fan-favorite Pokémon? Fan-favorite Pokémon cards hold more value than less popular Pokémon.
• Is your card rare or a promo? These cards are often more valuable compared to mass-produced ones.
• Was your card difficult to pull? Cards that are harder to pull from packs are usually more sought after because of their scarcity.
• Does it feature a stunning or memorable artwork? Typically, cards (particularly Illustration Rares) with a standout artwork are more popular with collectors.

Scan to confirm

One final check to know the value of your Pokémon card collection is to use a free Pokémon Card Value Checker. So, how does this tool work?

When you upload a photo of your card, the checker automatically scans it, compares it against thousands of other cards, and finds the correct match. It will then return raw prices by condition and graded prices. What makes it better than others is that you are also provided with the following:

• An analysis of whether or not you should grade it
• Cross-market prices
• Market signals
• Recent sales (a useful feature if you intend to sell your card)
• Population across grading companies, so you can assess how hard your Pokémon card is to pull

Best of all? This tool doesn't require you to sign up or pay for a subscription. And you can scan a whole binder!

Frequently asked questions

Where do you find the rarity symbol on a Pokémon card?

You can find the rarity symbol on a Pokémon card next to the card number at the bottom left corner. Also, check the bottom right corner of your card.

What if there is no rarity symbol?

If you can't find a rarity symbol either on the left or the bottom right of your card, your card might be part of a themed deck or a special numbered set. To know the exact value of your card, we highly recommend using a Pokémon Card Value Scanner.

Are all holographic Pokémon cards valuable?

No, not all holographic Pokémon cards are valuable. Modern holographic cards have little value because they are mass-produced and the demand is low. On the other hand, rare vintage holo cards have more value because they are harder to get (no reprints). Their price also increases dramatically if they're in great condition and feature a fan-favorite Pokémon like Pikachu.

Is a Near Mint Pokémon card more expensive?

Not all near-mint Pokémon cards are expensive. There are other factors to consider aside from the condition. These include the artwork (particularly the Pokémon featured), rarity, and overall demand.

Can common Pokémon cards be valuable?

Yes, common Pokémon cards can be valuable. Although most are inexpensive, some can be surprisingly expensive when they're limited-run, a promo, feature a popular Pokémon, or are in high demand.

Ready to check yours? Scan a card or browse live Pokémon card prices on CardTrack.