Yes, There Are Several Easy-to-Use Apps to Look Up Pokemon Card Values
As Pokemon card collecting surges back into mainstream popularity, many fans new and old find themselves wondering – what are my cards worth nowadays? Luckily, collectors can now use a variety of handy smartphone apps to easily look up the latest market values for their Pokemon trading cards.
Top apps like TCG Player, PokeCollector, and CollX allow users to quickly search databases, scan card UPC codes, catalog collections, and get real-time price estimates for their cards based on rarity, condition, sales activity and more. This solves the problem of how to check Pokemon card prices and values.
So whether you are just rediscovering your childhood binder full of cards, thinking about selling for profit, or researching that high-value collectible purchase – read on for a complete guide on using Pokemon card value apps!
How Pokemon Card Values Are Determined
Before diving into the apps, it helps to understand what underlying factors primarily drive the real-world value of Pokemon cards on the collector‘s market:
Rarity
Scarcity plays a huge role in determining prices. Some printed rarities from lowest to highest value include:
- Common
- Uncommon
- Rare
- Ultra Rare
- Secret Rare
- Gold Star Cards
- 1st Edition Prints
So for example, a 1st Edition Secret Rare Charizard in mint condition will fetch much higher prices than an Unlimited Common Machop.
Condition
Card condition is everything for collectors. Near-mint and Gem Mint graded cards often sell for many times more than played, damaged cards of the same name. Most apps will ask you to input a card‘s condition.
Age & Nostalgia
Older vintage cards tend to be more sought after and valuable to collectors than newer releases. In particular, 1st generation cards from the original 1999 Base Set leverage strong millennial nostalgia.
Popularity & Appeal
Iconic pokemon like Charizard, Pikachu, Mewtwo and Eevee command premium prices due to higher demand from fans. Cool artwork and themes also boost desirability.
Professional Grading & Authentication
Getting cards professionally graded by PSA, BGS or CGC greatly increases their collectibility and worth for high-end cards. This verifies authenticity and condition.
Armed with this background, let‘s explore some of the best apps available to look up your Pokemon card values!
Overview of Leading Pokemon Card Value Apps
Here are the top mobile apps that Pokemon collectors should have in their toolbelt:
TCG Player App
TCG Player offers the most popular online marketplace for buying and selling Pokemon cards. Their free app lets you scan any card using your phone‘s camera and instantly pull up price histories and real-time market valuation data. Values are based on actual sales activity across millions of transactions.
The app can also help you catalog your collection, track card conditions, create wishlists, and manage trades. For the most accurate pulse on current market prices, TCG Player is tough to beat.
PokeCollector App
Ideal for cataloging and valuing your personal collection is the PokeCollector app. Available for iOS and Android, it contains a database with every Pokemon card released in English, including variations.
The app allows you to input every card you own along with conditions, take notes, save images, view price charts, and get estimated valuations. Helpful for insurance appraisals or understanding your portfolio‘s worth.
CardDex App by The Pokemon Company
For fans who also play the official Pokemon TCG, getting their app CardDex is a no-brainer. Offered by The Pokemon Company themselves, the app lets you scan cards using the camera to instantly identify them and add to your digital collection.
The app provides estimated valuations for cards based on rarity tier. However, price data is not as robust as market-based apps. But it‘s still a handy universal scanner for recognizing and cataloging cards.
CollX App
A relative newcomer making waves is the CollX app. It offers real-time valuations by scanning your cards with the phone camera using advanced image recognition. Values are powered by PriceGuide.Cards and cross-checked against eBay sales.
CollX also fosters an engaged community allowing you to share your collection, chat about trading strategies, and get the latest news. For those turned off by TCG Player‘s barebones UX, CollX may be more appealing.
eBay App
While not strictly a pricing app, the eBay app provides an indispensable secondary source of value data by seeing the raw prices Pokemon cards are selling for in real-time. The advanced search filters and ability to view completed/sold listings makes eBay a great tool for double checking valuations from other apps.
6 Tips for Getting Accurate Pokemon Card Appraisals
While Pokemon card apps provide a solid starting point for understanding card values, they should not be taken as gospel. Here are 6 tips collectors should use to get more accurate appraisals:
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Cross-reference prices across multiple apps and websites. Look for consensus.
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For rare cards, review recent eBay sales data to see real-world prices paid.
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Verify against PSA/BGS/CGC graded sales to see premiums for mint condition.
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For vintage or obscure cards, consult a professional grader or appraiser. Details matter.
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Account for condition differences not captured by app databases.
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Join Pokemon forums to stay updated on market spikes, trends and debate.
Top 10 Most Valuable Pokemon Cards of All Time
Let‘s take a look at some of the rarest, oldest and most coveted Pokemon trading cards in history that command huge valuations today:
| Name | Price |
|---|---|
| Pikachu Illustrator | $5.275 million |
| 1st Edition Shadowless Holographic Charizard | $369,000 |
| 1998 Japanese Promo Illustrator Pikachu | $247,230 |
| 1st Edition Base Set Charizard Holo | $223,149 |
| 1999 Japanese Base Set Charizard Holo | $195,000 |
| 2016 Pokémon Japanese Promo XY & Z Pikachu Full Art | $195,000 |
| 1999 English 1st Edition Base Set Charizard Holo BGS 10 | $135,300 |
| 2002 1st Edition Pokemon TCG: Legendary Collection Reverse-Holo Charizard BGS 10 | $125,000 |
| Japanese Complete Vending Series Master Set | $100,100 |
| 2000 Japanese Neo Genesis 1st Edition Lugia Holo | $99,099 |
As we can see, highly-graded Charizards, Pikachus, and promo cards tend to have the highest pinnacles of value. But even more common cards in excellent condition can be worth good money to the right collector.
10 Tips For Selling Your Pokemon Cards For Maximum Profit
Armed with card values, you may be tempted to cash out your collection and unlock some profits. Here are 10 expert tips to maximize your haul when selling Pokemon cards:
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Sort cards by value tier – ultra rare, rare, common etc. Different sale strategies.
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Get valuable cards graded by PSA or BGS to boost prices.
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Research recent comparable sales – best indication of actual selling price.
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For quick sales, price 10-15% under fair value.
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Start eBay auctions high for short listings of chase cards.
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Sell common bulk in large discounted lots.
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Facebook Pokemon buy/sell/trade groups provide engaged buyers.
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Brick and mortar shops offer convenience but lower prices.
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PWCC/Goldin auctions maximize value of ultra-rare cards.
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Time auctions and sales to end during peak demand periods.
Following these best practices helps ensure you can efficiently convert your Pokemon portfolio into maximum cash value.
Pokemon Card Investment Outlook – What‘s Next for Prices?
Over the past decade, Pokemon cards have exploded from child‘s plaything into mainstream alternative asset class with cards selling for millions. But how much room is left to run? Let‘s examine some of the swirling market forces that could impact values:
Downside Risks
There are definitely some warning signs of potential overheating and correction:
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Slowing sales velocity as prices overextend beyond mass-market affordability
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Declining interest from younger audiences with less nostalgic attachment
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Oversupply as The Pokemon Company saturates market with reprinted premium cards
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Inflation/recession eating up discretionary income previously used on collectibles
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Bursting bubble and profit-taking in speculative trading card bubble
Upside Potential
On the other hand, continued upside tailwinds remain:
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Strong IP and brand – Pokemon still immensely popular across media
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New generations of fans trading cards again due to viral nostalgia
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Global emerging markets like China and India still untapped
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Increased institutional investment establishing trading cards as an asset class
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Low production costs allowing TPCi to maximize profits from chase cards
Given these cross-currents, I expect a pricing cooldown from recent exponential growth but not a full bubble bursting. Well-chosen collectibles should hold value and outpace inflation. Vintage cards may soften slightly before finding a new normal.
For now, collect what you love most rather than chase speculative returns!
Final Thoughts on Valuing Your Pokemon Cards
Thanks to handy apps like TCG Player and PokeCollector, collectors can now easily find the value of their Pokemon cards based on current market prices and sales. Factors like rarity, condition, age and popularity primarily determine what collectors are willing to pay.
However, Pokemon card valuations remain dynamic. Prices for rare cards can swing wildly in short periods. To get an accurate appraisal, be sure to cross-reference multiple sources, review recent sales, and verify prices for professionally-graded versions.
Apps provide an excellent starting point. But you may need to consult true experts for one-of-a-kind antique or misprinted rarities. Happy hunting for buried cardboard treasure!