A rare PSA 10 1st Edition Base Set Charizard holographic Pokémon card has sold at auction for a record breaking $390,000 (£275,313).
The Charizard Pokémon has long been a fan favourite, with this particular holographic card from Base Set often regarded as the most popular and iconic Pokémon card of all time. So it’s no wonder that these highly desired rare cards can reach so much at auction.
But now cards that were once traded away for free on school playgrounds can now reach the cost of a house at auction. The iconic 1999 Charizard is now one of the highest valued Pokémon cards in the world. As many Base Sets have been destroyed over the years it’s highly unlikely that anymore exist, and at such exceptional quality.
The card, which was put up for sale by Goldin Auctions, sold at hammer price for $325,000, however, Goldin Auction’s charges a buyer’s premium of 20% on top of the hammer price. This is pretty common with high-end auction houses, as prices including buyer’s premium are considered to reflect the true sale price – as these prices are what is actually paid to acquire them.
The card is a 1999 Base First Edition #4 Charizard, which has been certified as a ‘Black Diamond’ car by MBA (Mike Baker Authenticated) and graded as ‘Gold Label Pristine 10’ by SGC (Sportscard Guaranty Corporation). And according to Goldin Auctions, this is the ‘only example validated by SGC at the company’s most prestigious level’.
Following its record-breaking sale, the auction house – which specialises in sports memorabilia – has called out for more collectors who are willing to part with their rare cards, for a pretty hefty price.
Back in October 2020, former rapper Logic broke the record paid $226k for the same type of card. Just 2 months later the card sold for $350k – an incredible 55% increase in value in just 60 days.
Since 2018 the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) has been skyrocketing in prices, and with the 25 year anniversary around the corner, people are prepared to pay a lot.
