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Pokemon as a Modern Investment in 2023

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Pokemon as a Modern Investment in 2023

Pokemon as a franchise and its collectibles, including trading cards and video games, have seen an increase in value and demand in recent years. However, the value of individual Pokemon items can vary greatly and is influenced by a number of factors such as rarity, condition, and popularity.

However, investing in Pokemon collectibles carries a level of risk, just like with any other type of collectible. The value of individual Pokemon items can fluctuate and there is no guarantee of a return on investment.

Here are some Pokemon items that are considered rare and highly valuable by collectors:

  • First edition and rare trading cards from the original Pokemon trading card game, such as the “Charizard” and “Pikachu Illustrator” cards.
  • Limited edition and special edition Pokemon video games, such as the “Pikachu Nintendo 64” and “Legendary Pokemon” editions.
  • Promotional and rare items from events, such as Pokemon World Championships merchandise, such as trophies, playmats, and special cards.
  • Vintage Pokemon merchandise, such as toys and figures, were produced in limited quantities during the height of Pokemon’s popularity in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
  • Rare and hard-to-find Pokemon plushies and figures, such as limited edition event exclusives and special release items.

These items can sell for thousands of dollars, depending on their rarity, condition, and demand among collectors. It’s important to note that the value of Pokemon collectibles can fluctuate and there is no guarantee of a return on investment.

It’s always a good idea to do thorough research and consult with experts in the field before making any investment decisions. This can help you make informed decisions and understand the potential risks and rewards involved with investing in Pokemon collectibles.

Image Source: Heritage Auctions, HA.com

How Did Pokemon Originate

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How Did Pokemon Originate

The Pokémon franchise was created by Satoshi Tajiri and Ken Sugimori. Satoshi Tajiri came up with the idea for the franchise while growing up in rural Japan and playing video games as a hobby.He wanted to create a game that would capture the feeling of collecting insects, which he enjoyed as a child, and combined that with elements of role-playing games.

Ken Sugimori was brought on board as the lead artist and designed the iconic look of the Pokémon creatures. Together, they founded Game Freak and developed the first Pokémon video game, “Pocket Monsters Red and Green,” which was released in Japan in 1996.

In 1998, the game was released in North America as “Pokémon Red and Blue” for the Game Boy and became a worldwide phenomenon, spawning multiple sequels, a trading card game, anime series, and numerous merchandise.

The Pokémon Trading Card Game started in Japan in October 1996, a few months after the release of the original Pokémon video games. The game was created and produced by Media Factory and was an immediate success in Japan.

The Pokémon Trading Card Game was later introduced to international markets, including North America, in 1999, and it quickly became a hit among fans of the franchise. The game continues to be popular to this day and has seen numerous expansions and updates.

The concept of collecting, training, and battling creatures known as Pokémon, along with the game’s addictive gameplay and accessibility, helped to fuel the Pokémon craze and establish it as one of the most successful multimedia franchises of all time.

How To Determine The Value Of Your Pokemon Cards

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How To Determine The Value Of Your Pokemon Cards

Collecting Pokemon cards can be quite exciting and fun. Most collectors start out by simply collecting cards because they like playing the game or are avid fans of the anime. But eventually, through experience, they learn how to gauge the value of the Pokemon cards they collect. For beginner collectors, here are some of the ways to determine the value of your Pokemon cards.

Know The Types

There are essentially three types of Pokemon cards that you can collect- Character, Energy, and Trainer cards. Of the three types, Pokemon Character cards are the most valuable to collect. Trainer cards come in second while Energy cards are too common and not so popular for collectors. Try to focus on finding and collecting more Pokemon Character cards if you wish to build up a collection of value in the future.

Condition Of The Card

The condition of the Pokemon card can also determine its inherent value. “Mint” condition cards are usually valued more than those with some evidence of wear. As a collector, you must make sure that your cards look and stay in excellent condition especially if you wish to maintain its current value and ensure future gain.

Age and Rarity Of The Card

The age as well as the rarity of a Pokemon card can also determine how valuable it can be. The year your card was printed can make it more valuable especially if it is one of the earliest ones to come out. The number of such cards left in circulation can also have a large impact on their value, especially for many Pokemon card collectors.

Magic: The Gathering

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Magic: The Gathering

Magic: The Gathering (MTG) is a collectible card game created by mathematics professor Richard Garfield and introduced by Wizards of the Coast in 1993. In the game, players use decks of cards representing magical spells, creatures, and artifacts to defeat their opponents.

Each player starts with a deck of at least 60 cards, and the game is won by reducing the opponent’s life total from 20 to 0. The game is played using a variety of different formats, each with its own rules and restrictions on the cards that can be used.

There are thousands of cards available for Magic: The Gathering, with new sets being released regularly. Each card has its own unique abilities and artwork, and players can customize their decks to fit their playstyle.

Magic: The Gathering is played by millions of players worldwide, and there is a thriving competitive scene with professional players competing for large cash prizes. Additionally, the game has spawned a variety of spin-off products, including digital versions of the game, board games, and novels.

Where Should You Grade Your Trading Cards?

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Where Should You Grade Your Trading Cards?

While PSA is widely regarded as the top grading service, other reputable grading companies like Beckett Grading Services (BGS) and Sportscard Guaranty Corporation (SGC)  can be considered. These companies have their own grading standards and processes.

Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA)

When it comes to grading trading cards, the most reputable and well-known grading service is PSA. The company has been in the business of grading trading cards for many years and is widely recognized in the industry.

Founded in 1991, the PSA Grading Company is headquartered in Santa Ana, California. PSA is one of the most popular and well-established brands in the world of card grading They employ experienced professional graders who evaluate the condition and authenticity of the trading cards.

PSA grading scale that is most commonly used by most collectors. Their grading scale ranges from 1 to 10, with 10 being the highest grade.

  • PSA 10: Gem Mint
  • PSA 9: Mint
  • PSA 8: Near Mint to Mint
  • PSA 7: Near Mint
  • PSA 6: Excellent to Near Mint
  • PSA 5: Excellent
  • PSA 4: Very Good to Excellent
  • PSA 3: Very Good
  • PSA 2: Good
  • PSA 1.5: Fair
  • PSA 1: Poor

Additionally, PSA covers the following services:

  • Modern and vintage card grading
  • Autograph authentication
  • Original photograph authentication
  • Unopened pack grading
  • Ticket grading
  • Sports memorabilia authentication

Due to the popularity and reputation of PSA, their services may have high demand, which can result in longer turnaround times compared to other grading companies. It’s advisable to check the current turnaround times on their website.

Beckett Grading Services (BGS)

Founded in 1999, the company is headquartered in Yorba Linda, California. BGS uses a unique grading scale that includes separate subgrades for centering, corners, edges, and surfaces. This gives collectors a detailed assessment of each aspect of the card’s condition. BGS also provides a unique tamper-evident label to ensure the authenticity and integrity of the graded card.

The Beckett card grading system has three different grading subsidiaries:

  • The Beckett Grading Services (BGS) grades cards from 1981 to the present day
  • Beckett Vintage Grading (BVG) grades cards from before 1981
  • Beckett Collectors Club Grading (BCCG) is the lower tier grading level.

Beckett Grading Scale

  • 1 – Poor 1.5 Fair
  • 2 – G (Good)
  • 2.5 –G+
  • 3 – VG (Very Good)
  • 3.5 – VG+
  • 4 – VG-EX (Very Good-Excellent)
  • 4.5 VG-EX+
  • 5 – EX (Excellent)
  • 5.5-EX+
  • 6 – EX-NM (Excellent-Near Mint)
  • 6.5 – EX-NM+
  • 7 – Near Mint
  • 7.5 – Near Mint +
  • 8 – Near Mint-Mint
  • 8.5 – Near Mint-Mint +
  • 9 – Mint
  • 9.5 – Gem Mint
  • 10 – Pristine It’s reasonably extensive, and you’ll arguably have a better idea of ​​the overall quality of the card compared to a PSA-graded version

Beckett provides services like modern and vintage card grading, comic book grading, and authentication of cards and comic books.

Sportscard Guaranty Corporation (SGC)

SGC is another prominent grading service for trading cards. SGC has been in operation since 1998 and has built a reputation for providing accurate and reliable grading services.

Their card grading services are slightly cheaper than PSA. SGC uses a grading scale that assesses the card’s condition on a 10-point scale, similar to other grading services. SGC’s grading standards focus on centering, corners, edges, and surface conditions to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the card’s overall grade.

SGC Grading Scale

  • 10 PR: A “virtually flawless” card. 50/50 centering, crisp focus, four sharp corners*, free of stains, no breaks in surface gloss, no print or refractor lines, and no visible wear under magnification.
  • 10 MT
  • 9.5
  • 9
  • 8.5
  • 8
  • 7.5
  • 7
  • 6.5
  • 6
  • 5.5
  • 5: 80/20 or better centering, minor rounding or fuzzing of corners, roughness or chipping along the edge (no layering), one VERY slight surface or “spider” crease may exist on one side of the card, the gloss may be lost from the surface with some scratching that does not detract from the aesthetics of the card.
  • 4.5
  • 4
  • 3.5
  • 3
  • 2.5
  • 2
  • 1.5
  • 1: This card usually exhibits many of these characteristics: heavy print spots, heavy crease(s), pinhole(s), color or focus imperfections or discoloration, surface scuffing or tears, rounded and/or fraying corners, ink or pencil marking( s), and lack of all or some original gloss, small portions of the card may be missing.

Remember, PSA is undoubtedly number one on the list of the top trading card grading companies.  But, the choice between PSA, BGS and SGC comes down to personal preference, market value, and the type of card you have.

Featured Image: PSACard.com

Flesh and Blood Trading Cards Game

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Flesh and Blood Trading Cards Game

Flesh & Blood is a relatively new collectible card game that has quickly gained popularity among players around the world. Flesh and Blood is published by Legend Story Studio (LSS), an independent design studio based in Auckland, New Zealand.

On October 11, 2019, Legend Story Studios released the first booster set of Flesh & Blood, Welcome to Rathe Alpha Edition.

In Flesh and Blood TCG, players take on the role of a hero and battle against their opponents using a deck of cards representing weapons, spells, and other equipment.

Each hero has its unique abilities and playstyle, and players must strategically manage their resources and cards to defeat their opponent.

The game features a unique resource system that requires players to manage both their life total and their “resources” (known as “Willpower” or “Resource Points”).

Players must balance their need for powerful cards with the risk of taking damage, creating an exciting and tense gameplay experience.

Flesh and Blood TCG has a growing competitive scene, with organized tournaments and events taking place around the world.

The game has also gained recognition for its high-quality artwork and production value, making it a popular choice among collectors as well.

Flesh and Blood Welcome to Rathe Alpha Booster Box

Achieving Success Investing In Pokemon Cards

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Achieving Success Investing In Pokemon Cards

Investing takes a lot of thought and preparation. One thing you should consider is that investments can also come in different forms. Some may consider investing into something they have a keen interest in, such as collecting Pokemon cards.

Investing in Pokemon cards has its advantages and disadvantages. It pays to gain a little knowledge before you engage into investing your life savings into it. Here are some things you should consider when you do decide to invest in Pokemon Cards.

Set Your Investment Goals

One of the most important steps towards your journey in Pokemon card investing is knowing and setting your goals. First you need to decide on your investment budget. Make sure that you have the means to invest in Pokemon cards since it can also be quite costly. But also bear in mind to set the ideal budget for it. Your budget should be along the range that you can afford of course. Not only that, you also need to determine your financial goals in terms of earnings from your investment. That way, you will know what investment path to take and what strategies to use for investing.

Learn About The Strategies

Now that you have set your goals for investing in Pokemon cards, you now should try to learn about the different investment strategies when it comes to buying Pokemon cards. If you are looking forward to earning profits immediately, then you might consider the card flipping strategy. This strategy involves buying Pokemon cards and selling them as soon as they gain considerable value.

If you are into long-term investing with your Pokemon card collection, then you might need to use a different strategy. You may employ a strategy where you invest in Pokemon cards that you know will increase in value five to ten years from now. Depending on the strategy chosen, you will then use different criteria when you consider buying Pokemon cards.

Know How To Determine Card Value

Investing in Pokemon cards requires more than just collecting them as much as you can. You should learn how to determine the value of the cards based on your investing strategy. This may take a lot of research and gaining stock knowledge about the different Pokemon card sets in the market. You might also need to have a good idea about the grading system used on these cards to ensure that you know its worth. You should also be aware of factors such as history, peculiarities, characteristics, and others that give these cards added value. This will help you a lot with your buying decisions later on.

Pokemon Trading Card Investing Strategies

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Pokemon Trading Card Investing Strategies

As in any type of investment you get into, it pays to develop a strategy that works. The same thing is true when you start to invest in Pokemon trading cards. Having money to buy and collect the cards may not be enough. You need to have a plan on how you would treat such an investment. Here are some of the common strategies other collectors employ.

Long-term Investing

The type of investing strategy you choose will determine what kinds of Pokemon trading cards you can focus on buying. For example, if you consider long-term investing into such trading cards, you will usually focus on looking for early, mint or near mint condition graded cards. These usually carry great value that will even go higher in the long-term.

Card Flipping

If you consider a card flipping strategy when investing into Pokemon trading cards, you will usually focus on cards that will allow you to make profit as soon as possible. Essentially card flippers engage in buying trading cards with its current value rapidly increasing on the market. Then they sell it once they determine that they can get the most profit from it. This type of strategy requires extensive current trading card knowledge and rapid actions. Most of the card flipper’s collections of trading cards are usually fluid and can come and go at any time

Card Set Collecting

Other investors may consider collecting Pokemon trading cards into sets. They prefer investing on acquiring complete sets of trading cards rather than just single ones. This strategy may be more ideal for enthusiasts who really enjoy collecting cards more than trying to profit from it. The sense of accomplishment of completing card sets to enjoy and admire is the main aim of most trading card investors using this strategy.

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