How Much is a Pikachu Card Worth?
Are you or your children interested in Pokémon? If so, you are probably familiar with the franchise’s most famous character: an adorable yellow mouse called Pikachu.
Pikachu has been a staple of the Pokémon company in video games, anime, and card games since the very beginning. But with so many Pikachu cards out there, how can you know if the card in your collection has any value?
Between different editions, rarity levels, and condition grading, it can be hard to know for sure. No need to fear. This article is a go-to guide for your Pikachu Pokémon card value.
Who is Pikachu?
Pikachu is one of the most familiar characters in media today. Between a starring role in the children’s TV show, multiple titular video game titles, and endless merchandise, Pikachu is everywhere. You may have also seen him as a detective in a blockbuster live-action movie from 2019.
Pikachu is a short, chubby mouse Pokémon. It is covered in yellow fur with two brown stripes, red circle cheeks, and a lightning bolt tail. It is an electric type Pokémon that is the constant companion of the anime’s main character: Ash Ketchum.
Pikachu is in the first generation of Pokémon and has been included in nearly every part of the franchise. It was also printed in the 1999 base set of cards of the Pokémon Trading Card Game. Pikachu cards continued in future releases, and to date, there are more than 200 unique cards depicting the lovable rodent.
How Much is a Pikachu Pokémon Card Worth?
With so many different cards in the market, how can you know if your Pikachu is a valuable card? To understand how Pikachu cards are valued, we need to take a look at Pokémon cards in general.
How do I Know if My Pikachu Card is Worth Money?
Several key factors determine whether a Pokémon trading card has value. Be on the lookout for these features when looking into the value of your Pikachu cards.
Rarity
Trading card value is driven mostly by the rarity of cards. After all, if everyone had a card, it wouldn’t be worth very much. Pokémon trading cards have a couple of easy ways to see just how rare a card is.
- Symbol - Each Pokémon card has a rarity symbol showing how likely you are to open it in a booster pack. Look in the bottom right corner of the card to find the rarity symbol, next to the card number. Common cards are marked by a circle. Uncommon cards have a diamond. Rare cards have a star. Cards that have three stars or are marked with letters, may be exceptionally rare.
- Date - Take a look at when cards were released, as early cards may be worth more. Any card that says "Wizards of the Coast" is worth investigating closely. Be on the lookout for a 1st edition stamp below and to the left of the card artwork.
- Collector Number - Look at the collector number at the bottom right corner. This is another way to identify a card, and can also clue you into some special, often valuable cards. When a card number is higher than the set number, that is what is known as a Secret Rare card. For example: 120/100 or 252/220
Special Editions
Pokémon has released many special, extremely rare, and promotional cards over the years. Some of these examples include:
- Holographic Cards - "Holo" cards have a shiny, foil layer over the artwork, while "Reverse Holo" cards are shiny everywhere around the artwork.
- Special Characters - Some rare cards have special letters or numbers after the Pokémon names. These may also be marked with an “SP” logo in the lower-left corner of the artwork.
- Full Art Cards - When there is artwork across the whole card, including text, that is known as Full Art card.
There are many other examples of rare or promo cards. If you see a card that stands out from the rest, it might be worth looking into a little further.
Condition
Card Collectors grade the quality of cards by their condition. Be careful handling rare cards right out of the booster pack, as you may impact its condition. Here are some examples of terms commonly used to describe card conditions.
- Near Mint (NM) - has sharp corners and edges; no visible signs of wear or surface scratches; clean and glossy, with no smudges or fingerprints
- Lightly Played (LP) - has some minor wear and tear, such as slightly rounded corners or edges; the surface is still relatively clean and glossy.
- Moderately Played (MP) - has noticeable wear and tear; has slight but visible creased corners, surface scratches, or minor discoloration
- Heavily Played (HP) - highly visible creases, bends, scratches, and discoloration; may be difficult to recognize the image or to play with it
How Much Can I Sell My Pikachu Card For?
If your Pikachu card is a rare print, special edition, or in good condition, it might be worth real money. Collector websites have Pikachu cards of different rarities and grades selling anywhere from a few dollars to a few thousand.
You can search your cards on sites like Ebay.com or Pricecharting.com to get an idea of what they might be worth. When you’re ready to sell your Pokemon cards, investigate the site and the buyer to avoid getting scammed.
What are the Most Expensive Pikachu Cards?
Check your attic, because you might be sitting on a card collector's gold mine and not even realize it. These ultra-rare Pikachu cards are some of the most expensive Pokémon cards in existence.
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Grade 10 Card Sold for ~ $1,545 |
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Grade 10 Card Sold for ~ $5,700 |
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$7,000 - $30,000 |
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$50,000+ |
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Sold at Auction for $900,000 |
Pricing based on sales reported on PriceCharting.com
Shop Pikachu Cards
Looking to add a rare Pikachu card to your or your child’s collection? Check out our best-selling decks for a chance to get your hands on these electric cards.
For the passionate collector or the enthusiastic hobbyist, there is a wide range of products to help you catch them all! You can browse our collection of bundles and booster packs here.