POWER PLAY
The most valuable trading cards including Pokemon and Star Wars – do you have one worth £4.32million?
Find out where to sell trading cards
If you – or your kids – have a pile of trading cards lying around the house, you could be sitting on a goldmine.
Whether it’s your child’s obsession with Pokémon cards or some old Star Wars cards you’ve got in the loft, there are cards out there that are worth a small fortune.
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Trading card expert Harry Reynolds, the founder of The London Card Show, told The Sun: “Many people are sitting on hidden treasures without even realising it.
Trading cards that were once playthings or casual collectables can turn out to be surprisingly valuable, whether they come from kids’ recent collections or adults’ long-forgotten childhood stashes."
A Pokémon card sold in 2022 for a staggering £4.325 million.
“The 1998 Pikachu Illustrator Card is a true holy grail of the Pokémon trading card world, and only a handful exist,” Harry explained.
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Even higher than that is the £10.3 million fetched for a baseball card in 2022. “
The 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle Rookie Card is iconic in sports cards and is the highest recorded sale for a trading card to date.”
Harry explained that collectors are drawn to cards like these because of nostalgia, exclusivity, and historical significance.
“We’ve had some incredibly rare cards presented at the London Card Show, including a Wolverine card that was one of a kind from Topps’ first Chrome collection for Marvel Comics.
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Experts say the card is worth more than £100,000 and they’ve already received offers from high-profile collectors including renowned DJ Steve Aoki,” he explained.
What type of trading cards are worth selling?
The most obvious are Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh! And Magic The Gathering, which are all currently popular, but Harry said there are a number of less well-known cards that might be hiding in your house.
“Early Star Wars cards (like the 1977 Topps series) or Garbage Pail Kids cards are beloved by collectors and can fetch surprising sums, especially first-series cards,” he said.
“Marvel and DC Comic Card Sets from the 1990s, like 1992 Marvel Masterpieces, are also gaining popularity among superhero fans.”
I went to the UK's biggest football trading card show - watch how to spot value in your collections
How do you know if you have valuable cards in your collection?
“Even if you don’t uncover a million-dollar card, a stash of old or modern trading cards can be a great way to earn extra money.
Sorting through collections with a keen eye can help you separate the gems from the commons, and you might be surprised by how much value is hiding in plain sight!” said Harry.
“Look for key indicators like set symbols, edition stamps, and condition and use websites like eBay (looking at completed listings), TCGplayer, or PSA to research recent sales.”
The key is rarity, cultural connection, and being in pristine condition, according to Harry.
“The most significant factor is rarity, coming from limited production, special editions, or cards tied to specific events. But rarity alone isn't enough – demand plays a critical role.
A card must be tied to something or someone people care about, such as a beloved athlete, a legendary Pokémon, or an iconic anime character,” he explained.
Condition is another critical factor – you can get your cards graded by companies like PSA or in the UK Ace Grading (check out their websites for more details).
“This assigns a card a numerical score based on its physical state. A pristine card graded as a "10 Gem Mint" can fetch a lot more than the same card with visible wear,” Harry explained.
“For high-value cards, grading them professionally can increase their worth.”
That’s not to say that a card needs to be in mint condition – realistically many cards will have been well loved.
“They don’t always have to be flawless to hold value. Some well-loved cards can still command a premium.
For example, a lower-graded 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle card or a moderately worn Black Lotus from Magic: The Gathering can still fetch impressive prices.
Collectors may still treasure less-than-perfect cards for sentimental or playable reasons, especially in cases where a pristine version is unattainable,” said Harry.
How should you look after your cards?
To preserve or increase the value of your collection, or to look after any new cards for a future investment.
Harry had these tips for how to store and handle them: “Use sleeves and toploaders, and consider magnetic cases or one-touch holders.
"Avoid touching them with bare hands and store in a cool, dry place. Finally, get cards graded for investment and protection.”
Where should you sell your cards?
Harry said that the right platform or method depends on the type of cards you’re selling, their value, and your target audience.
eBay
“eBay allows you to reach a massive audience, and their platform has categories specifically for trading cards and collectables.
Use high-quality photos, and detailed descriptions, and set a reasonable starting bid or reserve price,” advised Harry.
Goldin Auctions
If you’re selling historic or exceptionally valuable cards, Harry said Goldin is a top-tier choice. “They’ve handled many record-breaking sales in the trading card world.”
The London Card Show
The next event takes place at Sandown Racecourse in Surrey on 8th-9th Feb for collectors and dealers.
“Vending or attending with a portfolio of cards can result in great sales opportunities. Goldin auctions will be accepting submissions on-site with zero commission fees,” said Harry.
The most valuable trading cards
Pokémon Cards
“First edition base set cards from 1999 are the crown jewels.
Even commons and uncommons in good condition can sell for decent money, while rare holographics like Charizard, Blastoise, or Venusaur can reach thousands of dollars,” explained Harry.
“Look for full-art cards, and secret rares (cards with numbers like "150/149";).
"Sets like Evolving Skies, Crown Zenith, or older series like XY Evolutions contain some valuable gems.”
Harry says that shadowless variants – a print run without a drop shadow around the artwork – and first-edition stamps increase value significantly.
Charizard cards remain one of the most sought-after Pokémon.
“Even modern versions, like the Charizard VMAX Rainbow Rare, can fetch hundreds.”
Also look out for promotional cards.
“Those given out at events or in special boxes, such as Pikachu Illustrator promos, can be worth money.”
After the 1998 Pikachu Illustrator Card, these are the Pokémon cards that command the highest prices:
Charizard, 1st Edition Shadowless Base Set (1999) – £344,377
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“Iconic and nostalgic, this card was a must-have for any collector. Its shadowless variant adds rarity,” said Harry of this card sold in 2022.
2. Tropical Mega Battle Trainer No. 2 – £57,000–£82,000
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“This card was awarded at a 1999 tournament in Hawaii, making it incredibly exclusive,” explained Harry.
3. Blastoise, Commissioned Presentation Galaxy Star Hologram (1998) – £295,180
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This card was sold at auction in 2021. “A prototype made for Wizards of the Coast, it’s a historical artefact of Pokémon's Western launch.”
4. Kangaskhan Parent/Child Trophy Card (1998) – £123,000–£205,000
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“It was only awarded to winners of a Japanese family tournament, making it a highly rare and sentimental piece,” explained Harry.
Magic: The Gathering Cards
“Cards from the original Alpha, Beta, and Unlimited sets are highly sought after. Look for power cards like Black Lotus, Mox Pearl, and Time Walk, even in played condition,” advised Harry.
“Modern sets can have valuable cards, especially mythic rares or cards that are key to competitive decks.
"Look for foil versions and cards from limited print runs like Secret Lairs.”
1. Black Lotus (Alpha Set, 1993) – £504,000
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“The most iconic and powerful card in MTG history, with only 1,100 Alpha versions printed,” explained Harry. It was sold at auction in 2021.
2. Ancestral Recall (Alpha Set, 1993) – £41,000–£82,000
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Harry said this is a key card from the ‘Power Nine’, “offering an unparalleled card advantage in the game”.
3. Time Walk (Alpha Set, 1993) –£41,000–£82,000
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“Another ‘Power Nine’ card that breaks the game by granting an extra turn, making it a collectable and strategic masterpiece.”
4. Shichifukujin Dragon (1996) – £41,000–£82,000
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“A one-of-a-kind card created as a trophy for the DCI Tournament Centre in Japan,” said Harry.
5. Mox Sapphire (Alpha Set, 1993) – £29,000–£41,000
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This card is one of the Mox jewels. “It provided fast mana, an essential strategy in early MTG gameplay,” explained Harry.
Yu-Gi-Oh! Cards
Look for first editions, particularly from early sets like Legend of Blue-Eyes White Dragon.
Cards like the original Dark Magician or Blue-Eyes White Dragon hold nostalgic and monetary value, especially if they’re first editions,” explained Harry.
1. Tournament Black Luster Soldier (1999) – £1.6 million
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Awarded at the first-ever Yu-Gi-Oh! tournament in Japan, it’s a one-of-a-kind piece of gaming history,” said Harry of this card which was sold in a private sale.
2. Blue-Eyes White Dragon, 1st Edition (2002) – £41,000–£82,000
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Popular among collectors because it is “Kaiba’s iconic card and a nostalgic favourite among early fans”.
3. Cyber-Stein (Shonen Jump Championship Prize, 2004) – £25,000–£33,000
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Harry said there are only a few hundred copies of this card in existence.
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4. Dark Magician Girl, Japanese Promo (2000) – £12,000-£21,000
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“This is a fan-favourite card with limited availability, especially in pristine condition,” explained Harry.
5. Tyler the Great Warrior (2005) – £123,000–£164,000
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“A unique card created for a Make-A-Wish recipient, making it one of a kind,” explained Harry.
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