Got a stack of Pokémon cards laying around? Curious what your collection might be worth? You‘re in luck – with today‘s mobile apps, it‘s easier than ever to figure out the value of Pokémon cards. Let‘s explore the top options for scanning and evaluating your cards.
Scanning Cards with Your Phone Camera
The quickest way to get a ballpark value is to simply scan or take pictures of your cards using your smartphone camera. Here are some tips:
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Take clear, well-lit photos showing the front and back of each card.
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Make sure key details like the name, image, card number, and rarity symbols are clearly visible.
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Look the card up on pricing sites like TCGplayer and eBay by entering these identifying details.
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For especially rare cards, ensure you capture details like 1st Edition markings or holographic symbols that can greatly impact value.
This manual scanning method works decently well for valuing the odd card here and there. But for larger collections, specialized scanning apps make the process much smoother.
Top Mobile Apps for Scanning Pokémon Card Collections
Dedicated mobile apps utilize camera scanning and image recognition to identify and value cards instantly. Here are some of the best:
TCGplayer
TCGplayer‘s free app for iOS and Android allows you to quickly scan small stacks of cards using your phone‘s camera. It will automatically look them up and show current market prices sourced from across the TCGplayer marketplace.
With over 1 million downloads on Android alone, TCGplayer is a trusted name. While price accuracy may vary slightly, you‘ll get a solid ballpark estimate.
Poké TCG Scanner Dragon Shield
Dragon Shield‘s scanner app is another top choice available for free on iOS and Android. Using your camera, it identifies and prices cards rapidly using TCGplayer data. The app can also generate barcode labels to catalog your collection.
According to reviewers, it delivers fast, reliable scans. However, the app hasn‘t been updated since 2018, so the interface is dated. Still, it gets the job done well.
CardDex by The Pokémon Company
For an official option, check out the CardDex app from The Pokémon Company. It offers camera scanning to build a digital collection of your cards with estimated value ranges.
As the official source, CardDex may provide greater accuracy for card details. But some users report its valuation estimates are not as robust as other apps. Still, worth considering for hardcore collectors.
CollX
CollX markets itself as the "Shazam" for scanning trading cards. The app instantly recognizes and prices cards across sports, gaming, and more using AI technology. In testing, it correctly identified 100% of Pokémon cards scanned.
Reviewers praise its incredibly fast scan speeds and clean, modern interface. For those with diverse card collections spanning many franchises, CollX is a top choice. The app is available on iOS and Android.
| App | Platforms | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| TCGplayer | iOS, Android | Marketplace pricing, collection tracker |
| Poké TCG Scanner Dragon Shield | iOS, Android | Barcode labels, simple interface |
| CardDex by The Pokémon Company | iOS, Android | Official source, estimated values |
| CollX | iOS, Android | AI scanning, multi-genre support |
Leveraging Online Marketplaces
Major online marketplaces like TCGplayer and eBay provide tools that make scanning and selling simple. Here‘s how they stack up:
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TCGplayer: Scan cards using the app and pick which you want to instantly list for sale at market value. Provides pricing accuracy but you pay listing fees.
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eBay: The eBay app identifies scanned cards and pre-fills listing info. Great exposure but higher fees than other options.
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TrollAndToad: Retailer providing an online buylist tool. Scan to get instant purchase offers, then mail cards in to cash out. Lower fees but condition affects buylist pricing.
These services provide easy scanning integrated with selling, though seller fees apply. They work best for selling in volume. For selling individual high-value cards, auction-style listings may yield better profits.
When Should You Grade Cards Before Selling?
For very rare or high-value cards in pristine condition, professional grading and certification can significantly increase sale prices. Services like PSA and Beckett thoroughly analyze and encapsulate cards, verifying their condition.
However, grading fees range from $10 to over $100 per card depending on turnaround time. It‘s primarily worth it for cards valued at $200 or more.
Before grading, scan cards carefully to ensure they are excellent contenders scoring a high mark like PSA 9 or 10. Grading cards in worse shape rarely pays off.
Total Worldwide Pokémon Card Sales Reach $8.7 Billion
The Pokémon TCG remains enormously popular across generations. By 2016, total worldwide sales since launch exceeded 25.7 billion cards and $8.7 billion in revenue. And the card game shows little sign of slowing down.
2020-2021 saw a massive surge in Pokémon card demand. Rare, graded cards broke sales records, including a Pikachu illustrator card selling for $900,000 in February 2022 – the highest price ever for a Pokémon card.
With this sustained enthusiasm, apps that simplify collecting and valuing cards are sure to remain helpful tools for the foreseeable future.
Scanning Cards is Easy – Pricing Them is an Art
Mobile apps, online tools, and smartphone cameras make identifying and evaluating Pokémon cards a breeze. But accurately appraising rare or one-of-a-kind cards remains challenging.
Human judgment from serious collectors and professionals is still essential for assessing factors like condition, demand, and intangibles. This knowledge comes only from years of experience.
While tech simplifies the scanning process, skilled appraisal remains part art, part science. So consider manual assessment from real experts before selling ultra-rare cards.
Conclusion
Thanks to scanning apps like TCGplayer and CollX, collectors can now value Pokémon card collections with ease. Online marketplaces also provide integrated scanning tools to simplify selling. For maximum returns on ultra-rare cards, professional grading may be warranted.
As Pokémon card fever continues, scanning and evaluating collections only gets faster and easier. But seasoned input from real-world experts is still key for accurately appraising one-of-a-kind rarities. Leverage both the convenience of tech tools and wisdom of veteran collectors to unlock the full value of your Pokémon TCG cards.
