Ultra-rare Pokémon card that cost $2 in 1999 to fetch over $40,000

By Nathan Pynn

An ultra-rare Pokémon card that cost over $2 in 1999 is expected to sell for a more than $40,000 at auction.

The 1st edition Shadowless Base Set Charizard card is known as the “holy grail” to collectors and enthusiasts.

The card - described as being in “mint condition” - is going under the hammer in the UK’s largest ever sale of Pokémon cards.

Since its launch in 1996 the Pokémon franchise has captured the imagination of children and adults around the world.

The Japanese multi-media franchise features competing animals which hold special powers.

The characters have featured in films, TV shows and online gaming with the Trading Card Games (TCG) having built up a huge following.

The auction is being held by Hansons Auctioneers on Friday (Feb. 27) to mark the 30th anniversary of the launch of the first Pokémon cards in 1996.

Hansons Pokémon specialist David Wilson-Turner said: “Some 30 years later and Pokémon Day is expected to stir up the craze once again.

“Back in 1999, you could buy pack of 11 Pokémon cards at any Woolworths for anything between £1.50 and £2.

“A Charizard was the rarest holographic in Base Set, so pulling one from a pack was like winning a mini lottery.

“Only 4,000 to 10,000 cards were produced, most of which were played with and are now dogeared – so to find one in mint condition like this one, which has a grading of 9 (out of 10), makes it all the rarer."

Prices of rare and sealed products continue to skyrocket, with some cards and booster sets being resold at huge premiums.

Also being sold is another rare piece - a full set of Jungle 1st Edition cards, all with a grade 9 rating.

The 64-card set, released in June 1999, with a price tag of £200, now commands a guide price of between £15,000 and £20,000.

David added: “The Jungle Set was released shortly after the Base Set and added new Pokémon including Clefable, Butterfree, Scyther and Snorlax.”

A sealed booster box from the very first English Pokémon set is also going under the hammer with a guide price of between £12,500 and £15,000.

The rare booster box, in a protective acrylic display case, contains 36 sealed packs from the low print run Unlimited edition.

David said: “When originally purchased the box would have set you back around £100, which was not a bad investment considering today’s value of £10,000.”

A sealed Pokémon Jungle Unlimited booster box, also containing 36 booster packs, which would have cost £100 when first released, is expected to make £7,000 and £10,000.

Auctioneer Charles Hanson, star of TV’s Bargain Hunt, said: “Pokémon is a market that has grown rapidly in recent years.

“It is the strongest it has ever been right now and will only continue to grow.

“Wealthy young people in their 20s and 30s who got into Pokémon when they were children are buying rare cards and prices began to spike a few years ago.

“The 30th anniversary auction is expected to draw significant international attention from both seasoned collectors and new-generation fans.

“I’d urge anyone to dig out those toy boxes, or boxed attic collections and bring them along for a free valuation.”

The Pokémon Day Auction will take place at Hansons’ saleroom in Etwall, Derbys.