As a collector, you naturally want to know how much your Pokémon cards are worth. Their value can vary based on several factors. Follow this step-by-step guide to quickly estimate the value of your cards. Let's get started!

Step 1: Check the condition of the card

Condition is one of the biggest factors determining a Pokémon card's value. The better the condition, the higher the value. There are several gradations used to describe condition:

• Mint (perfect) : No damage, sharp corners, scratches or creases.
• Near Mint (almost perfect) : Small, almost invisible flaws may be present.
• Lightly Played (light damage) : Some visible defects such as small edges or superficial scratches.
• Moderately Played : Visible damage such as creases, larger scratches, or corners that are starting to fray.
• Heavily Played (Very Damaged) : Major damage, tears, or folded corners.

Make sure you look at your cards carefully and assess their condition honestly. The value varies greatly between a Mint card and a Heavily Played card. We always use this manual ourselves to check the condition.

Step 2: What kind of card is it?

The type of card significantly affects its value. Several types of cards are more valuable:

• Holo Cards : These cards have a glossy surface and are usually more sought after than regular cards.
• Full Art cards : These cards have extensive artwork and are often highly sought after by collectors.
• Shiny cards : These cards feature a special version of a Pokémon, such as the Shiny Charizard. They are often more expensive due to their rarity.
• EX, GX, V, VMAX cards : These cards tend to be more powerful in play, making them valuable to both collectors and players.

For example, a Full Art Charizard card has much more value than a regular Charizard, even if both are in the same condition.

Step 3: Which set is the card from? Is it old or new?

The set in which a card was released plays a significant role in its value. Older sets, such as the Base Set , can contain valuable cards, especially if they are rare. These cards are often sought after by collectors for their nostalgic value.

Cards from popular sets like Evolving Skies , Prismatic Evolutions , or Celebrations can also fetch higher prices because they contain rare cards like Shiny Charizard. Even more recent sets can contain valuable cards, especially if they're a limited edition or a special variant.

Step 4: Is it a popular Pokémon?

The Pokémon itself significantly influences a card's value. The more iconic the Pokémon, the more valuable it is. Pokémon like Charizard, Pikachu, Blastoise, and Mewtwo are generally much more valuable than less popular Pokémon.

Cards of these icons are highly sought after by collectors. For example, a Charizard card will almost always have a higher value than a less popular Pokémon like Bidoof, even if they are in the same condition.

Step 5: Look up value on platforms such as Cardmarket

Now that you know what to look for, it's time to look up your card's market value. There are several platforms where you can find the market value:

• Cardmarket : This is the platform par excellence for finding Pokémon cards. You can easily search by card name, set, and condition to see how many similar cards have sold recently.
• eBay : Here you can check out the latest selling prices and see how much people are willing to pay for certain cards.
• Pokémon Price Tracker Websites : There are several websites that track Pokémon card prices. Sites like Pokémon Price and TCGPlayer give you a good overview of the current market.

Checking the price across different platforms can give you a realistic idea of what your card is worth now.