A Pokemon card collector brought her full binder to Antiques Roadshow, which was worth around $10,000.

​

In recent years, Pokemon cards have dramatically increased in value – especially mint condition rare copies. However, the improved worth has also led to a rise in theft across the globe. For example, one group of thieves stole over $1M in Pokemon cards in collectibles in March 2023.

​

While this Pokemon fan’s collection didn’t break six digits, the projected value surprised her. The estimate turned out to be much more than the $35 that her mother paid for it.

​

The PBS show Antiques Roadshow posted a clip of the appraisal on their official YouTube channel. A guest on the series brought 150 cards in a binder, including Base Set cards and rare Shadowless copies. The cards from the 1990s were in excellent condition – which skyrocketed their value.

​

“Conservatively at auction, we would say that your binder would be in the $5,000-$10,000 range,” host Travis Landry said. Landry suggested the owner sell the cards individually – like the Mewtwo and Charizard copies – to earn more money.

​

Landry then described the Pokemon market as “volatile.” “It is a market that blossomed through the pandemic,” he revealed. “I hate giving you the womp-womp news on the backside, but your Charizard in this shape less than a year ago was easily a $5,000-$8,000 card. At the peak of the market, in November 2020 to March April 2021, we were seeing this card hit as high as $15,000.” 

​

Recently, Heritage Auctions sold a PSA-graded Trophy Pikachu for a whopping $300,000. PSA says that The Pokemon Company printed less than 100 of these cards – guaranteeing their value.

​

​Would you ever sell your prized Pokemon card collection? Apparently, they’re vintage enough to appear on Antiques Roadshow.