Gold Pokemon cards and other rare Pokemon cards

The popular Japanese franchise of video games, anime, and other media depicting imaginary animals named "Pokémon" is the inspiration for Pokémon cards, a form of collectible trading card game. Each card includes a particular Pokémon character as well as details on the character's stats, skills, and other game-related information.

In 1996, the Pokémon Trading Card Game was first released in Japan, where it spread fast to other countries. To keep the game interesting and new, numerous series and expansions have been produced over the years. These have brought new characters and gameplay elements.

The fact that certain Pokémon cards are only occasionally available is one factor contributing to their rarity. This may be the result of a number of things, such being a part of a limited edition collection or being made available as a promotional item for a particular occasion or event. Certain cards may also be deemed rare due to their distinctive design or because they are extremely challenging to acquire through standard game play.

Rare Pokémon cards are frequently sought after by collectors to add to their collections, and the price of these cards can vary greatly based on their scarcity, demand, and condition. Pokémon fans and collectors prize uncommon cards since some of them have sold for tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of dollars at auction.

ForwardVia a specialist in shipping collectible items from the UK have gathered most commonly asked questions about Pokémon cards. Let's have a look.

What is Pokémon? #

Pokémon is short for “Pocket Monsters", the original Japanese name. Pokémon are creatures of all shapes and sizes who live in the wild or alongside humans. Pokémon do not speak except to utter their names. Pokémon are raised and commanded by their owners (called “Trainers”). During their adventures, Pokémon grow and become more experienced and even, on occasion, evolve into stronger Pokémon. There are currently more than 700 creatures that inhabit the Pokémon universe.

What are Pokémon cards for ? #

The Pokémon Trading Card Game, abbreviated to PTCG, is a highly collectible card game based on the Pokémon franchise by Nintendo. It was first published in October 1996 by Media Factory in Japan. In the PTCG, players use strategy to a build a deck around Pokemon character cards. These cards are needed to power your Pokemon throughout the game, and you'll always find basic Energy cards in any pack you buy. There are also Special Energy cards that give a different kind of boost, depending on your type of Pokemon.

How about gold Pokemon cards? #

Gold Pokemon cards or better known as metal Pokemon cards are highly sought after cards. Metal Pokemon cards are unofficial Pokemon cards that are covered in a gold-colored materials. The most well known metal Pokemon cards are the those included with meals at Burger King in 1999. At the time of release, these cards were sold for $20-$50, but as demand for it increases, the price has gone up in value too. Other gold Pokemon cards like 2016 Pokemon 20th Anniversary 24K Gold Ginza Tanaka Japanese was sold for a whopping $29,000.

Gold Pokemon cards and other rare Pokemon cards and it's value #

Gold Pokemon Cards

In celebration of 20 years back in 2016, The Pokemon Company created a card made from 11g of 24k gold and comes with a fancy box and acrylic stand. This rare piece cost $2000 at the time it was released

Master’s Key Pokemon Cards

Only 36 copies of the card are estimated to exist , sold for $21,000 in Nov 2019 and then sold to the public a for a $26,900 in August 2020!

Gold Star Espeon and Umbreon Series 5 Pokemon Cards

Perfect condition sold for just over $20,000 at auction in December 2020. A Gold Star Espeon rated at PSA 10 Gem Mint condition was sold in February 2021 for over $22,000.

Poliwrath No Rarity Symbol Base set

Released in 1996. These Pokemon cards were sold at PWCC auction for $25,015 in 2020.

2002 Pokemon World Championships No. 1 Trainer

Each card is personalised with the winner's name. Sold at auction in April 2021 for just over $31,000. Sold complete with its original display folder and even the envelope it was delivered in.

Rayquaza Gold Star Holo Ex Deoxys

Released in 2005, a perfectly graded Gold Star Rayquaza Pokémon card was sold at auction for a staggering $45,100 in December 2020.

1996 Pokemon No Rarity Symbol Holo Venusaur

Signature of the card’s illustrator Mitsuhiro Arita on the card case made this even more valuable. Sold for $55,000 in November 2021 at an auction.

Summer Battle Riad Mew Victory Orb Trophy

Released in 1999. Sold at a PWCC auction for $60,000 after 51 bids. The Pokemon card came with the original plaque handed out at the finals.

1999 Pokemon, Promo Tropical Mega Battle Tropical Wind

Sold at auction for $65,100 in PSA Gem Mint 10 condition. Only 12 of these Pokemon cards were produced as promo cards for the 1999 Tropical Mega Battle. PSA estimates its value to be as high as $148,482!

Umbreon Gold Star Holo Pokemon cards

Released in 2005. Sold for $70,000 at auction in June 2020. Its BGS grade of 9.5 makes it even more valuable, as only two in the whole world have received a grade this high.

1999 Super Secret Battle No. 1 Trainer

Sold for $90,000 at an auction in July 2020. Only 7 copies of these Pokemon cards are believed to be in existence. 6 of the ultra-rare cards have since been certified as being in perfect Gem Mint 10 condition by PSA.

2006 Pokemon World Championship Promo No. 2 Trainer

Sold for just over over $110,000 in February 2021. Only 3 of these Pokemon cards are believed to exist, making it really rare.

Kangaskhan-Holo, Family event trophy card

Sold for over $150,000 on eBay in October 2020. Only 3 of these Pokemon cards available, making it rare and desirable.

Black Star Ishihara Signed GX Promo Card

The official name of this promo card is "2017 P.M. SM Black Star #TPCi01 Tsunekazu Ishihara Signed Pokemon GX Promo Card", features the art of current president Tsunekazu Ishihara along with some overpowered abilities. This was given only to Pokemon Company employees for the president's 60th birthday in 2017. Sold for $247,230 in April 2021.

1999 First Edition Shadowless Holographic Charizard

Sold for $220,574 at an auction in October 2020 to a retired rapper and Pokemon fan. The Pokemon card was a mint-condition first-edition shadowless holographic PSA 10.

In November 2020 after a copy of the Shadowless Charizard sold at auction for $350,100 and another of this Pokemon card sold for $369,00 a month later!

Blastoise Wizards of the Coast Presentation Galaxy Star Holo

Released in 1998. Sold for $360,00 at an auction in January 2021. Currently, only 2 of these Pokemon cards are known to exist and only 1 accounted for.

Pikachu Illustrator (CoroCoro Comics Promo)

Released in 1998. A PSA 7 version of this Pokemon card was sold for a whooping $375,000 at an auction in February 2021. This Pokemon card is known to be the Holy Grail of all Pokemon cards.

*PSA = the prestigious organisation that grades the quality, condition and value of trading cards, up to the highest level of Gem Mint 10. Sales figures and images from dicebreaker.com / dexerto.com

Where can I buy Pokemon cards in the UK ? #

And there you have it! The rarest and most valuable Pokemon cards. Whilst it is understandable that not everyone have hundreds of thousands to spend on such rare Pokemon cards, there are still lot of collectible Pokemon cards that won't cost you an arm and a leg. These are some places where you can still join in the fun to collect your favourite Pokemon cards:

Pokémon Trading Cards

Magic Madhouse

Forbidden Planet

SMYTHS

Chaos Cards

Total Cards

Argos

Titan Cards

Jet Cards

Tokyotoys

Pokemon Center

How do I buy Pokemon cards from the UK? #

Found your favourite Pokemon cards but do not reside in the UK? Just sign up for free with ForwardVia.com, get your UK address, shop and we ship worldwide from the UK to your door step. And yes, it will be very well packaged so that your Pokemon cards will have a smooth journey to you.

Simply sign up free at ForwardVia and get your unique UK address to shop for your favourite gold Pokemon cards and other rare Pokemon cards. Here are the entire process of singing up, shop and ship to your door step into five basic steps:

1. Sign up online and create your free UK address. No credit card is required.

2. Shop online in the UK and buy your Pokemon cards from any UK online stores

3. Use the delivery address as shown in your account Dashboard

4. Once your goods arrive at our UK warehouse we’ll let you know

5. Choose and pay for an available shipping option, and we'll get it to your front door