Metal Pokémon cards are turning heads in the hobby and enticing collectors to open their wallets. Learn why you should consider adding coveted metal Pokemon cards to your deck.
Updated Jul 5, 2023
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Metal Pokémon cards are making waves in the trading card game scene. These shiny, gold-plated gems have gained popularity, with collectors seeking vintage gold metal cards and unique custom versions sold on auction sites. Stay informed on this trend to avoid missing out on these coveted collectibles.
But wait, don't start bankrupting yourself on these shiny collector items. It's essential to know the deets on what metal Pokemon cards are worth and how to nab them.
Metal Pokémon cards can be profitable due to their uniqueness and the iconic characters they represent. In 2021, the Celebrations Ultimate Premium Collection introduced two metal cards, replicating the Pikachu and Charizard cards from the 1999 Base Set. These instantly recognizable gold-colored trading cards hold sentimental value for collectors.
The official metal cards' craftsmanship sets them apart from counterfeit copies. Official cards boast intricate textures, coloring, and substantial weight. They are thick and can withstand a significant amount of bending.
Counterfeit cards, on the other hand, often lack attention to detail, appearing thinner and easily bendable. The absence of enamel on the reverse side further indicates their inauthenticity.
While the production cost might be one of the drawbacks, the historical significance of metal Pokémon cards also contributes to their value. The original metal cards, such as those distributed with meals at Burger King in 1999, promoted the first Pokémon movie and feature popular characters like Charizard, Pikachu, and Mewtwo.
These limited-edition cards and Pokemon toys have become desirable collectibles that appeal to nostalgic Pokémon enthusiasts and dedicated collectors.
Metal Pokémon cards are some of the strongest Pokemon cards with unique designs and rarer releases than regular cards. We'll explore their market performance and possible cost below.
The 2021 Pokémon Celebrations Gold Metal Charizard Ultra Premium #4 card is a limited edition collectible worth over $3,000.
Source: psacard.com
The limited edition 2021 Pokémon Celebrations Gold Metal Charizard #4 card was released to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Pokémon franchise. It's a metal reprint of the Base Set Charizard, which has become iconic among collectors due to its unique design and rarity—a limited supply of 109 cards are graded PSA 10.
The 2021 Pokemon Celebrations Charizard #4 card features a Pokémon Power called Energy Burn that allows players to turn all Energy attached to Charizard into Fire Energy. While the card usually falls into the $173 to $3,011 price range, one copy sold for $8,600 in November 2021.
November 2022The 2022 Ultra Premium Arceus V Metal Pokémon card #204 fetched an all-time high price of $123 in November 2022.
Source: psacard.com
The Arceus Ultra Premium Collection is a legendary Pokemon that has tantalized Pokemon enthusiasts since its release. The 2022 Ultra Premium Arceus V Metal Pokemon #SWSH204 card is worth an estimated $11 to $50.
As an SWSH Promo card, the Colorless metal card has a Basic stage, an outstanding HP of 220, and two powerful attacks: Trinity Charge and Power Edge. Its Trinity Charge attack allows players to search for up to three basic energy cards and apply them to their Pokemon V in any way, while its Power Edge attack deals 130 damage after applying Weakness and Resistance.
The 2021 Pokémon Celebrations Metal Pikachu Ultra Premium #58 celebrates 25 years of the Pokémon franchise.
Source: psacard.com
The 2021 Pokémon Celebrations Metal Pikachu #58 Ultra Premium Collection is a solid metal reprint of Base Set Pikachu. This exclusive promotional card is part of the Celebrations Ultra Premium Collection, commemorating the 25th anniversary of the beloved Pokémon franchise.
The card's design features intricate textures and a gold-colored face, while the reverse side includes a blue and yellow color scheme. With a price range of $44 to $2,500 and a PSA 10 supply of 41 copies, the Pikachu card includes two attacks—Gnaw and Thunder Jolt—and doesn’t fare well in battle against Fighting-type Pokémon.
A PSA 9 Arceus VSTAR Ultra-Premium #123 card fetched $82.85 via eBay on June 5, 2023.
Source: ebay.com
The Pokemon Arceus VSTAR Ultra-Premium #123 is a colorless card boasting an impressive 280 HP and a VSTAR Power that allows players to search for two cards in their deck to add to their hands.
Its Trinity Nova attack is also a force to be reckoned with. This card is a promo and has a PSA 10 supply of 45. While its price range falls between $8 to $100, its highest-known sale price sits at $38—auctioned off on eBay in June 2023.
The 2022 Pokemon Arceus V Ultra-Premium Collection #122 has a PSA gem mint supply of 51 cards as of June 2023, slightly higher than the Arceus VSTAR #123’s gem mint supply of 45.
Source: ebay.com
The 2022 Pokemon Arceus V Ultra-Premium Collection #122 has a unique V rule that allows the opponent to take two Prize cards upon knockout, adding a strategic layer to the game. Its Trinity Charge attack enables players to search their deck for up to three basic Energy cards and attach them to their Pokémon V in any way they like, providing a useful tactical advantage.
With a PSA 10 supply of 51 copies as of June 2023, the 2022 Pokemon Arceus V Ultra-Premium Collection #122 varies from $1 to $26, with its highest sale price reaching $26 in June 2023.
Collecting Pokémon cards can yield potential profits if you pay attention to rarity, type, special types, condition, and market trends. It's crucial to seek advice from a professional grading service like PSA or Beckett to verify the card's authenticity, condition, and grade.
Investing in collectibles like metal Pokémon cards, a set that included certain year information, has some risks due to manufacturing and damage counters, including weakness, resistance, and packaging issues.
Higher production costs and time-consuming processes can lead to scalping, customer dissatisfaction, and a shortfall in supply. Inadequate packaging—such as free-floating within boxes or standard plastic enclosures, can result in cards arriving with chips, dents, scratches, and other graded damage—may affect the overall value and desirability of metal cards as an investment. Paint chipping and other damage are collectors' primary concern.
The collectibles market, which includes Pokémon cards and toys, can be unpredictable, and counterfeit or tampered cards pose additional risks. Being vigilant and cautious about these issues can lead to a more successful investment experience. Confirming the opening of the packs and saving these cards through alternative asset platforms is one way to mitigate these risks and ensure your cards are legit.
It's essential to stay informed and make informed decisions about buying and selling when investing in Pokémon cards, especially metal cards. Remember to monitor the card's grade, which can range from half star to ten, to understand its value better.