Ultra-rare Pokmon card from 1998 sold for 150,000 breaking world record
A POKEMON card featuring Pikachu has just become the most expensive ever, selling for $195,000 (£152,000) at auction.
That figure is staggering considering a single packet of Pokemon cards usually sells for less than £5 in the UK.
The pricey item is referred to as the Pikachu Illustrator card because it features an image of Pikachu holding a pen.
A limited number were released in 1998 to be given out as prizes in a illustration competition.
The card's auction description read: "Pokémon "Pikachu Illustrator" Trainer Promo Hologram Trading Card, 1998. Graded PSA 9 Mint. Fan-favorite Pikachu, stars on the most valuable and rarest Pokémon card in the world!
"Although the technical name for the card is "PokémonIllustrator", it is colloquially known as "Pikachu Illustrator" due to the image."
The fact the card was originally a prize makes it even rarer.
Only 39 copies have ever been released.
The auction description continued: "It is not known exactly how many surviving copies are still around; however, only 10 PSA certified copies are known, a very important note because there are many counterfeit copies.
"This card is considered the most rare of an individual Pokémon card.
"This is the only card in the long-running collectable card game series to say "Illustrator" at the top of a Trainer Card, and the only one to bear the pen symbol in the bottom right corner. The artwork is by Atsuko Nishida."
The card was sold at an auction in New York last week and is now officially the most expensive Pokémon in the world.
This meant it beat the record set by another Pikachu Illustrator card, which sold for around £78,000 on eBay in 2013.
Unlike other Pokémon cards used for playing, it has no competitive effects.
Instead it reads: "We certify that your illustration is an excellent entry in the Pokémon Card Game Illustration Contest.
"Therefore, we state that you are an Officially Authorized Pokémon Card Illustrator and admire your skill."
How to make money from your Pokemon cards
THE Sun asked collectables expert Tracy Martin for her best tips. Here's what she said:
- Collect your holographic cards first: They're the most value and there are three different types: some cards have just the Pokemon image holographic, there are some where the edges are holos, while some cards are holos as a whole.
- Sit on the cards for a while: It could be worth just holding on to the cards for ten years to (hopefully) see them increase in value.
- Keep them in mint condition: You can buy Pokemon books with sleeves that you can keep them in, so they don't get damaged.
- Get them PSA rated: The Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) grades cards and verifies their authenticity, but you have to pay for its service. The PSA is an American organisation, but you can also get cards graded using services in the UK such as Ludkins Collectables and Vintage Trading Cards. Just make sure to double-check the prices in advance so you're not spending more than your card might be worth.
If you want to sell your cards:
- Find out how much your card is worth to a collector by checking the same or similar Pokemon cards under "sold listings" on eBay.
- Compare your Pokemon card to other higher selling auctions and ask yourself if it’s in a similar condition.
- Look at things such as conditions, release date and whether or not it is still in its original packaging.
- If it’s in mint condition then it might be worth selling it through an auction house or directly to a collectables website. If it’s not, it’s probably worth sticking it on eBay for a moderate sum.
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Do you have a Pokemon card collection? Let us know in the comments...
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