First Edition Sealed Pokémon TCG Sets New Auction Record

Maybe it’s time to go through those tubs of gaming stuff you have packed away at your parent’s house, or under the bed, because a Pokémon box set just sold for a record amount. This completely sealed first edition base set booster box of Pokémon The Card Game has the distinction of holding a new record at Heritage Auctions with a final price of $198,000 (US).

Originally appraised at an estimate of $80,000 (US), the set was included in the September 10th, 2020, Comics and Comic Art auction through Heritage. This smashed the previous record of $78,000 for the same item, which was only set in 2019.

The first set ever made, this booster box comes from a very low print and includes 396 cards spread through 36 booster packs, each of which contains 11 cards. Because the set is unopened, it is likely that most or all of the cards are in Gem Mint condition.

Jesus Garcia, Assistant Comics & Comic Art Operations Supervisor at Heritage Auctions, said of the sale:

“Sets like this one, especially in such extraordinary condition and sealed in shrinkwrap, have become undeniable rarities. The previous record, of $78,000, at Heritage Auctions was set in was set in February 2019. To see this result, more than doubling the previous mark, just shows the popularity and demand for these cards show no sign of slowing down.”

Gotta catch em all!