Which Pokemon pieces hold their value
- Early Base Set cards, particularly first-edition and shadowless printings, which are the foundation of the whole collectors’ market
- Cards professionally graded and sealed by a third-party grading company, which sell at a clear premium to loose equivalents
- Sealed booster boxes and unopened product, which are bought unopened and lose that premium the moment they are opened
- Holographic and secret-rare cards from any set, which are printed in far smaller numbers than the commons alongside them
And what pulls the price down
- Edge whitening and surface scratches, which are the two things graders mark hardest and which are visible under angled light
- Played condition — bends, creases and rounded corners — which drops a card to a fraction of its near-mint price
- Reprints and modern reissues of famous cards, which look similar to the originals but carry a different set symbol and far less value
- Cards stored loose in a box rubbing against each other, which is how otherwise good collections lose their condition
Identifying and dating yours
These are the checks that decide which end of the range a piece sits in, and they are the facts a serious buyer will ask for:
- The set symbol and the card number at the bottom identify exactly which printing you have — photograph it, because it is most of the value
- First-edition cards carry a small stamp to the left of the artwork; photograph it directly, since it changes the price dramatically
- Photograph the card under angled light so the edges and surface show honestly — buyers assume the worst when this shot is missing
WishThrift does not authenticate or inspect anything. Condition and origin are described by the seller against five grades — what each one means — so photograph the markings above rather than asserting them.
What Pokemon items are worth
The most-searched Pokemon items on the site, with the band the label typically commands against the generic range for the same item:
| Item | Pokemon range | Any brand |
|---|---|---|
| Trading Cards | £3–£405 | £2–£300 (~$4–$540) |
| Video Games | £7–£54 | £5–£40 (~$9–$72) |
| Action Figures | £7–£108 | £5–£80 (~$9–$144) |
| Board Games | £7–£54 | £5–£40 (~$9–$72) |
| Soft Toys | £4–£34 | £3–£25 (~$5–$45) |
Sterling guide ranges with an approximate US dollar equivalent at £1 ≈ $1.33 (July 2026). Sellers set their own asking price.
Every Pokemon value guide
Selling Pokemon on WishThrift
Listing is free and there is no commission on either side — the price you agree with the buyer is the amount you keep, whatever the label is worth. Create a free account, or read the selling guides for what to photograph and how to price.
Frequently asked questions
Is used Pokemon worth buying?
It depends far more on the line than the label. Pokemon card values are decided by set, print run and condition in that order. A common card from a modern set is worth pennies while the same artwork from an early print run can be worth a great deal. Each guide below says which Pokemon lines hold their value for that item and which have almost none, so you are comparing like for like rather than paying for the name alone.
How do I check a piece is genuine Pokemon?
The set symbol and the card number at the bottom identify exactly which printing you have — photograph it, because it is most of the value. WishThrift does not authenticate, inspect or grade anything — condition and origin are described by the seller, so ask directly and expect an answer. A seller who has the item will send a photograph of the marking in minutes.
What is used Pokemon worth?
Across the 5 guides here, from about £3 to £405 (roughly $4 to $540) depending on the item and its condition. Grades run New with Tags, Like New, Good, Fair and For Parts.
See also: value guides by brand · all value guides · buying guides · selling guides · condition grades.