Rare Pokémon cards becoming valuable assets

Influencer turned professional wrestler, Logan Paul, is putting his Pokémon illustrator card up for sale, and he believes he’ll get over $10 million for it. With the Pokémon franchise turning 30 this year, and with hefty sums of money being spent on rare cards, the franchise is becoming more popular than ever.

The card has its own Guinness World Record and Logan Paul wore it around his neck on an iconic chain at his Wrestlemania debut. But what exactly makes this card so valuable? In 1998 there was a Pokémon illustrator contest, and 39 of these cards were awarded to the winners. This means that the card could not be bought, it could only be earned. Furthermore, the card was designed by Japanese graphic artist Atsuko Nishida, the creator of the Pokémon franchise mascot Pikachu.

Paul believes that the card will spark interest not only amongst collectors, but also hedge fund managers and billionaires. The card has been touted as one of the greatest collectibles of all time, and Card Ladder has estimated its value at $19 million. The massive value is partly because this asset class has increased its returns to 3800% in the past 20 years, and mostly because only 39 of these cards ever existed.

What this sale potentially does for the franchise and for trading card collectors in South Africa, is affirm the high value, worthiness and desirability of Pokémon cards.

“This sale speaks to the enduring power of Pokémon,” says Philip Galliford, spokesperson for toy and game distributor Solarpop. “It’s not just a hobby, it’s a global cultural force that blends play, art, and rarity into something incredibly valuable. As the franchise celebrates its 30th birthday this year, I think we’ll be seeing an increase in people collecting the cards, and an increase in the actual value of rare cards.”

Pokémon cards have always held a good balance between play and prestige, but in recent years, they’ve become serious investment assets, and Logan Paul may soon be pocketing a tidy sum.

There’s no doubt that the status of Pokémon cards has been elevated. As long as Pikachu remains iconic, you can bet the market, and the hype, won’t be fading anytime soon.

To keep informed about the latest Pokémon releases follow @solarpopsouthafrica and visit your local hobby or toy store.