What makes a Pokémon card valuable

Some Pokémon cards sell for a few cents, while others go for thousands of francs. Several criteria come into play.

Rarity

The fewer cards printed, the more sought after they are. Secret cards, special illustrations, and promo cards distributed in small numbers are often the most expensive. Symbols are explained in the rarity guide.

The Pokémon

Some Pokémon are more in demand than others: Charizard, Pikachu, Mew, Lugia, Eevee and its evolutions. A card of these Pokémon is often worth more than a card just as rare of a less popular Pokémon. See the cards by Pokémon.

Condition and Grading

Few cards are in perfect condition, especially among older cards. A graded card with a score of 10 can be worth several times the price of the same ungraded card. See the graded cards.

Age and Printing

The first sets were printed in smaller numbers, and few cards from that era have remained in good condition. For the Base Set, printing also matters: see the guide first edition, Shadowless or Unlimited.

Language

The same card does not have the same price in French, English, or Japanese. See the guide on Japanese cards.

The Most Expensive Cards

The cards sold at the highest prices combine several of these criteria. This is the case with the Pikachu Illustrator, a Japanese promo card awarded in 1998 to winners of illustration contests organised by the CoroCoro magazine, or the first edition Charizard from the Base Set in excellent condition.

To know the price of your cards, check the Pokémon card price list and the guide to estimate the value of your cards.