Why are Japanese Pokémon cards so expensive?

They are Japan-exclusive. They predate the North American Pokémon TCG

Pokémon TCG

The Pokémon Trading Card Game (ポケモンカードゲーム, Pokemon Kādo Gēmu, "Pokémon Card Game"), abbreviated as PTCG or Pokémon TCG, is a collectible card game developed by Creatures Inc. based on the Pokémon franchise. It was first published in October 1996 by Media Factory in Japan.

https://en.wikipedia.org › Pokémon_Trading_Card_Game

Pokémon Trading Card Game - Wikipedia

release date (Jan. 1999) Shipping and import fees raise the cost.

Why are Japanese Pokemon cards more expensive?

Because the Japanese are the originators of Pokemon, they will have exclusive cards that will never get an English copy. Ergo, the most valuable card in the hobby is not the 1st Edition Base Set Charizard. It is the Pikachu Illustrator, a promo that was only released in Japan.

Are the Japanese Pokemon cards authentic?

However, one thing to keep in mind with regards to Japanese Pokémon cards is some Pokémon cards have different back card art. Therefore it is important not to immediately assume that the card you have bought is fake as it may very well be genuine but with a different art compared to the English version.

Do Japanese Pokemon cards have 1st edition?

The first edition symbol used on Japanese cards is different from the English-language version. It is composed of a large number “1” sitting on top of the word “EDITION,” which is printed in all capital letters between two horizontal lines. The symbol appears in the lower-right corner of Pokémon and Trainer cards.

Are Japanese Pokemon cards worth buying?

Japanese Pokemon cards can be worth more money than their English counterparts. Pokemon trading cards from Japan are of higher build quality and, where relevant, still come with first edition markings.

Japanese Pokémon Cards Way Too EXPENSIVE! Here’s Why…

What is the most rarest Japanese Pokemon card?

1996 Pokémon Japanese Base Set Holo Venusaur

Like many other first-edition cards from the 1990s, this Venusuar is one of the rarest and most valuable cards out there today.

How cheap are Pokemon cards in Japan?

On average, Japanese Pokemon cards are cheaper. The MSRP of a pack of English Pokémon cards is $4 containing 10 cards, $0.40 per card. Japanese Pokemon cards are approximately $1.50 (165 Yen) for 5 cards, $0.30 per card.

How do you know if a Japanese Pokemon card is rare?

If a Pokémon card's rarity symbol is a black or white star, it's at least a Rare. Check if any parts of the card have a holographic foil. If no part of the card is foil, or if every part of the card except the art is foil, then it's a normal Rare. Normal booster packs contain one or more cards that are Rare or higher.

Are all Japanese Pokémon cards rare?

As a result of this, vintage Japanese cards are more plentiful and less rare. Modern Japanese cards are also less expensive than English, but for different reasons. First of all, rare Pokémon cards are just easier to pull from Japanese packs.

How many 1st edition Charizards were made?

The first edition set was released in limited quantity with 102 cards total, 16 of them being the rarer, coveted holographic cards. The holographic Charizard card became the most popular for a variety of cultural reasons at the time.

Are McDonald's Pokemon cards real?

Are Pokémon cards from McDonald's real? Yes, they are real and are created by The Pokémon company for McDonald's.

How can you tell a fake Pokémon card?

Real Pokémon cards are made of two thin pieces of cardboard glued together, with a black layer in between. By ripping the card, you can reveal this layer—if there is no layer, the card is fake.

What do fake Japanese Pokemon cards look like?

Fake cards often have inconsistent coloring (a lighter shade of blue). Look at the top right of the Poké Ball on the back of the card. On a genuine card, this area will have different shades of blue mixed in. On a fake card, this area will often be filled with a single shade of blue.

What is the 1 most expensive Pokémon card?

The most expensive Pokémon card is the Pikachu Illustrator which sold for $5.275 million in July 2021. It's the true Holy Grail of Pokémon card collecting and only one PSA 10 is known to exist.

Why is the back of Japanese Pokemon cards different?

The set names are different, the card backs vary from ours, packs contain only five cards, you're not guaranteed a rare in a Japanese pack, and the cards themselves can vary slightly based on international censorship and other considerations.

Which Pokemon card sets to buy?

What does F mean on Pokémon cards?

F: Fighting Energy symbol. C: Colorless Energy symbol. D: Darkness Energy symbol. M: Metal Energy symbol.

What does the R mean on Japanese Pokémon card?

R = Rare (レア - Rea) - This is a Holo card. U = Uncommon (アンコモン - Ankomon) C = Common (コモン - Komon)

Who has the rarest Pokémon card in the world?

As of August 2022, the most expensive Pokémon card is a Professional Sports Authenticator grade 10 Pikachu Illustrator card that social media personality and boxer Logan Paul purchased for $5.275 million, according to Guinness World Records. A PSA grade of 10 means the card was in perfect condition.

What does a white diamond mean on a Pokémon card?

A circle on your card means it's common, a diamond indicates that your card is uncommon, and a star means it's rare.

How much money is a Japanese Pokémon card worth?

The average value of "Japanese pokemon cards base set" is $14.06. Sold comparables range in price from a low of $0.99 to a high of $500.00.

What is a secret rare Pokémon card?

A secret card is a card whose collection number is greater than the listed number of cards in the set, for example, numbered 101/100. Secret cards are generally rarer than the other cards in the set, and typically are holofoil cards as well.

What Pokémon cards cost $10000?

This Shadowless Charmander card from the Base Set is in excellent condition and has been sold for an incredible $10,000. This skyrocketed value is just proof of how early versions of Charmander Pokemon cards are valuable.

What is the cheapest Pokemon card in history?

The lowest-priced items were sold for $0.01 which was: “Pyroar BREAK 24/114 - Ultra Rare Holo - Steam Siege 2016 - Pokemon Card”

Which country has cheapest Pokemon cards?

On average, Japanese Pokemon cards are cheaper. The MSRP of a pack of English Pokémon cards is $4 containing 10 cards, $0.40 per card. Japanese Pokemon cards are approximately $1.50 (165 Yen) for 5 cards, $0.30 per card.