Are Rainbow Rare Pokémon Cards Worth Anything?

In short – yes, many rainbow rare Pokémon cards are absolutely worth money and can be extremely valuable to collectors and investors. While not every rainbow rare will sell for hundreds or thousands, some of the rarest and most sought after command prices over $100-$200 in mint condition. In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll break down exactly what makes rainbow rares so prized, look at real sales data on the most expensive cards, and equip you with expert tips for spotting fakes, getting appraisals, buying smart and maximizing returns on your Pokémon investments.

What Makes Rainbow Rares So Valuable?

So what‘s the big deal with rainbow rares? As a long-time Pokémon card collector and investor myself, here are the key factors driving high prices and demand:

Scarcity – Rainbow rares have very limited pull rates of around 1 in 80 packs, making them elusive to obtain through opening booster boxes. Specific rainbow cards like the Charizard VMAX from Champion‘s Path have staggering odds up to 1 in over 1000 packs!

Unique aesthetics – The rainbow holo treatment transforms the artwork in a way no other rare cards do. They immediately stand out for their beauty.

Collector appeal – As an avid collector myself, I love chasing down rainbow rares to complete master sets. Their premium rarity makes them the pinnacle for many collector‘s goals.

Popular Pokémon – Rainbow versions of fan favorites like Charizard, Umbreon, Pikachu, and Mewtwo command the highest premiums.

Let‘s explore why in more detail…

Rainbow Rares By The Numbers

To appreciate just how rare some rainbow cards are, here are the estimated pull rates:

• General Rainbow Rare – 1 in 70 packs
• Specific Rainbow Rare – Up to 1 in 1045 packs
• Rainbow Charizard VMAX (Champion‘s Path) – 1 in >1000 packs

For perspective, booster boxes typically contain around 36 packs. So you may have to open over 28 boxes, or 1008 packs, just to have a shot at pulling that Charizard jackpot card!

The low supply paired with extremely high demand puts upward pressure on prices. When multiple collectors are bidding for just a handful of PSA 10 graded copies in existence, auctions can soar into the multiple thousands for the right card.

Top 10 Most Valuable Rainbow Rares

Here are the current top 10 most expensive PSA 10 graded rainbow rare Pokémon cards:

There are certainly other valuable rainbow rares that sometimes sell for $50-$100 range as well, but these consistently sit atop in terms of resale value.

Spotting Fake Rainbow Rares

With such staggering prices being paid for genuine rainbow rares in flawless condition, the unfortunate truth is counterfeits abound. As an expert collector, here are the dead giveaways to watch for:

Poor print quality – Fakes often have soft, blurry text/images compared to crisp, sharp official prints. You may see pixelation or smudging under close inspection.

Miscut edges – Authentic cards have perfectly cut edges. Fakes tend to have uneven, jagged cuts.

Text font errors – Fake cards commonly have spelling mistakes or the wrong font used for the text.

Coloring flaws – The holo foil on fakes tends to look dull rather than vibrant, and the rainbow may not transition smoothly.

Lack of texture – Real rainbow rares have a noticeable textured feel. Fakes tend to be smooth to the touch.

For reference, here is an example comparing a real Rainbow Rare GX to a fake side by side:

See the difference for yourself? With a discerning eye you can avoid getting duped.

Getting Your Cards Graded

To maximize resale value, I recommend having any rare vintage or modern rainbow rare cards professionally graded by PSA or BGS. Along with verifying authenticity, they will assess the condition and assign a numeric grade from 1 to 10. PSA 10 and BGS 10 grades in particular can sometimes fetch 4-5X more than ungraded cards!

The grading cost is an upfront investment, but it unlocks the true upper value ceiling for premium cards. The tangible grading score makes it easier for buyers to trust the quality and condition as well.

While grading does carry some risk that the company assigns a lower score than you expected, having the professional second opinion usually outweighs any downside. Plus, you can always crack open the case and have the card re-graded later on if you disagree with the initial assessment.

Storing Your Collection

To keep your rainbow rares protected and preserve their condition long term:

• Use card sleeves and top loaders, or one touch magnetic cases for optimum protection
• Avoid direct sun exposure or moisture to prevent fading/warping.
• Stash your collection in a cool, dry place away from heat and humidity.
• Only handle cards carefully by the edges and clean with microfiber cloth when needed

Proper care goes a long way! It could be the difference between still achieving a PSA 9 or dropping to an 8 grade years later.

Will Rainbow Rares Go Up In Value?

In my opinion as a seasoned collector – almost certainly. Vintage sets from the late 90s/early 2000s have proven older Pokémon cards steadily appreciate over time, assuming they remain in flawless shape.

And with rainbow rares just introduced in 2016, even the Sun & Moon era sets are considered relatively modern. Given another 5-10+ years, I expect many of today‘s ultra rare rainbows will only continue increasing in worth.

Shorter term, new set releases often drive hype and price spikes for older rainbows. For example, the Rainbow Pikachu VMAX already jumped from $70 to $140 in the past year, almost doubling with the hype around the 25th anniversary.

In the future, who knows – we could see it reaching $500 or more! Now is the time to buy at today‘s prices, hold long term, and reap the rewards years later.

Where To Buy and Sell Rainbow Rares

If you‘re looking to start hunting for rainbow rares yourself, here are the best places to shop in my experience:

Buy

• TCGPlayer – Reliable inventory from verified sellers at reasonable prices
• eBay – Filter for highly rated sellers and check photos thoroughly
• Local Game Stores – Establish a relationship and ask to see their binders

Sell

• eBay – Big reach of buyers but fees around 10%
• Facebook Groups – Arrange local pickup or shipped sale. Avoid fees.
• Consign at Auction – Highest sale prices but most hassle and fees

I recommend buying in person wherever possible so you can inspect condition thoroughly before purchasing. For selling, local pickup or auction tends to yield the best return, but takes more effort.

Conclusion

The bottom line? Rainbow rare Pokémon cards can definitely carry significant value, with certain cards trading hands for hundreds of dollars in mint condition. Their stunning artwork paired with extreme rarity puts them atop every collector‘s wishlist. If you have any vintage or modern rainbow rares in flawless shape, consider getting them professionally appraised and graded – they could be sitting on a goldmine! With proper care and storage, rainbow rares should continue appreciating in value for years to come as well.