The Value and Rarity of Pikachu VMAX Rainbow Rare Cards – A Collector‘s Guide

Yes, Pikachu VMAX rainbow rare cards do exist! They are ultra rare, special printings of Pikachu VMAX that have become highly coveted by Pokémon collectors and investors. In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll cover everything you need to know about these stunning cards – from their origin and value, to tips for collecting and selling them.

The Origin Story of Pokémon Rainbow Rares

Rainbow rare cards were first introduced in 2017‘s Sun & Moon base set. They immediately stood out for their colorful, shimmering backgrounds and textured foil technology. The Pokémon Company has continued to print new rainbow rares in most expansion sets since their debut.

These cards replace standard gold secret rares, taking the final Secret Rare spots in a given set. Out of the roughly 200 cards in a Sword & Shield expansion, you‘ll generally find around 12 rainbow rares. This makes them quite challenging to obtain compared to other rarities.

The unique rainbow foil printing process gives each card a striking, holographic look. When tilted, the card surface shifts through rainbow spectra – an amazing sight! This exciting innovation and scarcity helped rainbow rares become instantly popular with collectors.

Pikachu VMAX Rainbow Rare Card Details

Pikachu has received the rainbow rare treatment on a handful of cards, but the Sword & Shield – Vivid Voltage printing stands out as a favorite.

This card features the iconic electric mouse gathering crackling lightning for its G-Max Volt Crash attack. It has a stylish gold border surrounding artwork adapted from the Japanese VMAX Climax subset. The Secret Rare numbering (200/185) also matches the coveted Champion‘s Path Charizard VMAX.

As a modern rainbow rare, its background utilizes a vibrant, multi-color foil pattern. You can observe the technicolor shine shift when rotating the card under light. The intricately textured card stock also adds depth and dimensions to the design.

Set Info:

• Expansion: Sword & Shield – Vivid Voltage
• Card Number: 200/185 (Secret Rare)
• Release Date: November 2020

Key Attributes:

• Pikachu VMAX
• Rainbow Rare
• HP 300
• G-Max Volt Crash attack

Estimated Value and Rarity

As one of the most popular Pokémon combined with the rainbow rare distinction, Pikachu VMAX commands a high market value:

Prices above are based on recent eBay sold listings and PWCC Marketplace sales. As you can see, getting the card professionally graded makes a huge difference in maximizing value. However, even raw copies in lightly played condition fetch over $100.

According to population reports, PSA has graded over 1,500 Pikachu VMAX rainbow rares so far. But there are likely tens of thousands of these cards out there based on print run estimates. That said, pulling one is still very difficult.

The rainbow rare pull rate averages around 1 in 300 packs based on mass openings. And the Pikachu VMAX specifically is one of 12 different rainbow rares in Vivid Voltage. So your chances of pulling this card from a booster box (36 packs) is probably 1 in 1,000 or worse!

Investment Outlook and Future Value

Modern rainbow rares like this Pikachu have shown strong price appreciation since their debut just a few years ago. According to analysis by tiing.ch, the average value of Sun & Moon era rainbow rares has increased around 300-400% in three years!

Pikachu VMAX rainbow rares were selling for $60-80 around release, but now fetch over $300 in PSA 10 condition. That represents nearly a 5x price jump in just two years!

Looking ahead, rainbow rares should continue climbing in the medium to long term. However, we can expect some price volatility along the way. Key factors that support future growth include:

• Ongoing popularity of Pokémon TCG sealed products and collecting
• Nostalgia and demand for iconic Pokémon like Pikachu
• Graded card market brings more investors and money
• Rainbow rares remain the pinnacle rarity to pull in new sets
• Populations and availability still limited despite large print runs

Of course, as with any collecting niche, speculators and hype can also drive unsustainable spikes. But focusing on the flagship Pokémon rainbow rares can help mitigate this risk in your holdings.

Where to Buy Pikachu VMAX Rainbow Rares

When shopping for high value Pokémon cards, marketplace trust and authentication are crucial. Here are some reputable places to buy Pikachu VMAX rainbow rares:

• eBay – Stick to top rated sellers, review feedback and populations carefully.
• TCGPlayer – Reputable seller standards, great selection of graded cards.
• PWCC Marketplace – Leading auction house for investing in trading cards.
• Facebook Groups – Useful for connecting directly with collectors, but do due diligence.
• Card Shows – In person events to shop, inspect condition thoroughly first.
• LCS (Local Card Shops) – Established local stores may offer good deals on singles.

Shopping locally can allow hands on inspection. But online marketplaces give you more options to find deals and aggressively graded copies.

Finding Rainbow Rares for Your Collection

If you love the thrill of pulling your own cards, focus on buying sealed booster boxes and Elite Trainer Boxes from reputable sellers. Here are a few tips:

• Research the set – Check rainbow rare lists to target what you want.
• Set a budget – Boxes can run $100-200 each.
• Buy multiples to increase your odds.
• Compare prices across retailers.
• Inspect seals before opening carefully.
• Have fun and lower expectations around big hits!

While not cost effective for chasing a specific card, many collectors love ripping packs. Just know it may take hundreds of dollars before landing a coveted rainbow rare. Weighing expected value against prices is wise.

Selling and Trading Your Cards

When it‘s time to sell a valuable rainbow rare, you have several options:

• eBay – Big reach, but fees of 10%+ apply. Still the top platform.
• Facebook groups – Post cards for direct buyer negotiation.
• PWCC, Probstein – Major auction houses, great for premium cards.
• PSA consignment – They handle auction for small cut of proceeds.
• Buylists – Quick cash from dealers, but at lower prices.
• Local shops – Good way to skip fees, but condition and pricing varies.
• Card shows – Can connect with buyers, but takes more effort.

I recommend getting your card graded first by PSA or BGS to maximize the sale price. Take time to research and see what similar cards have sold for. Consider auctioning through PWCC or eBay to generate bidding competition.

If you prefer to trade, Facebook groups are great for finding collectors seeking specific rare cards like rainbow Pikachu VMAX. Just use common sense in vetting potential trade partners. An escrow service can provide protection.

The Allure of the Rainbow Rare

Rainbow rares represent the current pinnacle of Pokémon card rarities. Their glittering shine and scarce pull rates make them holy grails for any collector. Cards featuring beloved Pokémon like Pikachu have especially high demand.

The Vivid Voltage Pikachu VMAX rainbow rare in particular is set to become one of the most iconic cards from the Sword & Shield era. Its stunning artwork and styling have already led to incredible price gains. While not cheap, this card should continue appreciating as a blue-chip Pokémon holding.

Thanks for reading this extensive guide on collecting Pikachu VMAX rainbow rares! Let me know if you have any other questions. And may the pulls be ever in your favor!