If you ever collected Pokemon cards at the peak of their popularity in the late 1990s and early 2000s, chances are that you still have some cards sneaking around in old storage boxes or another safe place in your attic, basement, or even the pantry. Moreover, if you were one of the cool kids who got the gold-plated Pokemon cards from a Burger King meal, you’d be surprised how much you can get for owning one. Owning more than one of them could make you a fortune.
Burger King gold Pokemon cards are not the only cards that are made out of gold and are eligible to sell at an auction or an appraiser. Many features will distinguish your gold card compared to other cards that you may have.
While many people who want to sell a valuable collectible are looking for appraisers who can help them evaluate these cards, the good news is that you can do it on your own with a little help from the internet, particularly this article, and maybe a few more forums where you can share it to see its value.
Nevertheless, whether you’re looking to buy a gold Pokemon card, or sell an old one from the old collection, you’ve come to the right place. Continue reading to see what affects the value of the Gold Pokemon cards and whether you can sell yours or add more similar cards to your collection.
Quick Summary: Different golden Pokemon cards can have different values. Some cheapest options can be found for a couple of cents while Burger King meal Pokemon cards can be found for up to $20 to $50. Some rare golden card can be much more valuable.
About Pokemon & Pokemon Cards
Pokemon stands for “Pocket Monsters” and is of Japanese origin. It was a popular animated show, as well as a series of collectible cards and games which are still played today. Pokemon refer to different creatures of different shapes, races, and sizes that are equivalent to our world’s animals but possess special powers.
Pokemon creatures are raised and trained by their Pokemon trainers for different purposes. The creatures evolve and develop new abilities and experiences. There are hundreds of different Pokemon creatures living in the Pokemon universe.
These creatures make great pets, but for a lot of children, many of whom have grown up by now they also make great card games, released in 1996. Many Pokemon cards are traded and sold on auctions daily, and if you feel like your cards are worthy you can also test your luck.
This collectible card game was released in 1996 and is also known as PTCG (The Pokemon Trading Card Game) by Nintendo. In this game, players collect a deck of Pokemon characters used to fight the opponent. There are Basic Energy cards and also more powerful Special Energy cards which boost your game, depending on which Pokemon you use.
This article is particularly focused on Gold Pokemon cards, which are part of the metal Pokemon collection. Although gold cards are rarer compared to regular cards sold in a deck, it’s worth noting that they were available on multiple occasions.
These cards are covered in gold, or gold edges, but there are also gold-plated cards made of 24K or 23K gold which have an immense value. The most popular gold Pokemon cards are those from the Burger King collections, which came to players within the Burger King children meals back in 1999.
Even then, people used to trade those cards from $20-$50. Those that are lower in quality and have decayed over time are still valued at that price given that they have been subject to wear and tear. However, other popular gold Pokemon cards include the 20th Anniversary 24K Gold Ginza Tanaka Pokemon cards which were released in 2016.
Those cards are made from 11g of 24K gold packaged with a nice and durable box to keep it protected. The box also has an acrylic stand to make it even fancier. When these rare cards were released back in 2016, they cost $2,000 and may cost even more at auctions.
Are Gold Pokemon Cards Any Worth?
Whether you’ve got a gold Pokemon card from a Burger King meal, or some other occasion it’s worth mentioning that you can sell them. However, every Pokemon collection has a certain worth so it’s impossible to say how much you can sell the cards.
The best way to look at the prices is by visiting some of the bigger online marketplaces such as Amazon, eBay, and Etsy.
However, there are other major websites where you can buy, sell or trade Pokemon cards, and those that are plated with gold are likely to have a higher value if they’re in a mint pristine state. One of the best places to try your luck is the TCG Player which is known for its large card-trading inventory.
The cheapest gold Pokemon cards are those that only have golden corners and aren’t made from real 24K or 23K gold even. Those cards can be found on different online marketplaces that we mentioned earlier and the price can start anywhere from $0.8 and higher.
One of the biggest determinants of the value of a Pokemon card is whether it’s a rare Pokemon that is on the print, as well as what’s the condition of the card. If it’s more than 20 years old, it’s normal that it was subject to some level of tear. The best way to determine the condition of your card is to hire an appraiser or a professional grading company that can help you determine the value.
One final determinant in the play that affects the overall value of your card is whether your card comes with some preprint or manufacturing error. Those cards are normally much more worth on the market, which is why hiring a professional grading company is a good idea. Such cards can be worth anywhere from several hundred to several thousand dollars.
Also Read: Pokemon Card Grading Explained (Best Grading Service For Pokemon Cards)
How Much Are Gold Pokemon Cards Worth?
The value of gold Pokemon cards changes on daily basis. One of the most popular things to do among all Pokemon collectors is to visit different sites and auctions and see which Pokemon they can add to their collection. Some cards are rarer compared to others, while some other cards feature a print of a rarer Pokemon which also increases its value.
Something to note about buying and collecting Gold Pokemon cards is that you always need to be fast to be able to catch up with the market, or before someone else buys the card you’ve been eyeing for a while. That’s why it’s necessary to keep an eye on eBay auctions and sale listings to be up to date with all Gold Pokemon cards offers.
Let’s take a look at the types of Gold card collections that you may come across, how rare they are, and in what condition they are.
The Burger King’s meal which cost a few dollars back in the 1990s was shipped with a gold-plated Pokemon card, made out of 23K gold and stored inside a Poke Ball-shaped container. Right now, many collectors think that these cards won’t make fortune.
After all, some cards which were subject to wear can be sold for just $2-$5, while those more valuable ones are worth anywhere from $20 to $50 and even more depending on the condition. You can see some eBay listings like this one where Burger King cards can be found for as little as $15, shipping together with the Poke Ball container.
There are also gold metal cards which are worth from $5 to $20. However, you can fulfill an entire collection for up to $100 if you’re lucky enough to buy from someone who stored the cards carefully.
Gold Pikachu card was also a popular one, and it was at the peak of its popularity back in 2016. Still, only the lucky few who won the lottery could get to buy it. This limited edition gold Pikachu collection would cost people anywhere around $2,080.
Ginza Tanaka’s limited edition 24K gold Pikachu card from the 20th-anniversary edition was also quite sought after. For example, one of such copies was listed for $9,999.99. Another great sale of a gold Pokemon card was that of a Raichu Gold card in 2009. However, this forum conversation is just reportedly believed to have closed a sale of the golden Pokemon card.
That being said, gold Pokemon cards can be worth nothing and everything. It depends on several factors, however. Below we’re going to discuss those factors to get a better idea of what to focus on when evaluating Gold Pokemon cards.
Also Read: Most Valuable Gold Pokémon Card List (Your Gold-Plated Cards from Burger King Aren’t Worth Squat)
How to Determine Value of Gold Pokemon Cards?
Below we’re going to focus on different factors that affect the worth of Pokemon cards. We know that the edition of the Pokemon card plays a great role. Another thing that is worth mentioning is that the rarest gold Pokemon cards are those that were made in the beginning years of the Pokemon franchise.
Is It Real Gold?
Even though getting scammed is generally rare unless you buy from some shady shops and online marketplaces, it’s still possible. Sometimes, fake golds are put instead of the originals. Luckily, it’s easy to recognize it. One of the ways is to look at the edge of the card.
Under the gold plating, there are two white layers and a black one put between. If there are no those layers when you look at the side of the card, you’re likely dealing with a fake. Another way is to look at the composition. If it feels firm and stiff, it’s the original.
Rarity
If you kept up with the Pokemon franchise you should know which Pokemon are rare and which are not. One of the ways is to also tell by the card. There are usually symbols at the bottom corner that can tell you about the rarity of the card. Here’s how it goes:
- Circle – it’s a common card
- Diamond– uncommon card
- Star – rare card
- Black stars are less rare compared to white or gold stars which means this is an extremely rare card.
Error Cards
Error cards have factory imperfections that make these cards unique. That can also increase their value. Sometimes it’s the name print errors, and spelling errors, while the lack of rarity sign that we mentioned earlier can be a higher value error card.
Sometimes the card print picture and text can be misaligned from the center. Also, some can be like this $400 error card Shining Magikarp that has ink bleed towards the corner. All in all, there are different types of errors on cards, so if you notice one, that will increase the value of your golden card.
Grade
When evaluating your cards it’s best to have them graded if they are in mint condition. Different professional-grading companies have their scales for grading cards. One of the reliable options to consider include PSA and Beckett. There’s no better way to see what’s the real condition of your card than to get it professionally evaluated. This may cost you more, but if your card is in a mint state you’ll be able to get more money out of it.
Frequently Asked Questions
This FAQ section contains commonly asked questions about golden Pokemon cards and their value. Make sure to check it out.
Are Gold Pokemon Cards Rare?
While gold cards are usually most sought after, not all of them are extremely rare. It’s always good to take a look at the bottom corner and see just how rare they are in reality.
Are Gold Pokemon Cards Made of Real Gold?
Some of the cards may only be covered with a gold alloy or a sheet to mark their rarity. Then again, this all comes to the collection and how rare and special is the collection. The Burger King cards are gold-plated with 23K and 24K gold. The Ginza Tanaka limited-edition Pokemon card is made with 11g 24K gold.
What is Pikachu Gold Card Worth?
We know that Pikachu is pretty much everyone’s favorite card, and it’s also relatively rare when compared to different card collections. Its value still always depends on the auction it was sold on, the condition, and much more.
For example, this gold Pikachu card is on auction for $9,806, but it’s worth noting that it’s a hologram card in mint condition. Other Pikachu cards in good condition may be on from $100-$1000, although there are exceptions with an even higher value. If you have an ultra-rare Pikachu card, it’d be best to try to evaluate it through the forums like Reddit or visit an appraiser or a grading company.
Also Read:
