POKÉMON
Japanese media franchise created by Satoshi Tajiri in 1996. The Pokémon Trading Card Game launched in Japan that same year and internationally in 1999, becoming one of the most valuable collectible card markets worldwide. First-edition Base Set cards, especially holographic Charizards, have sold for hundreds of thousands of dollars at auction.
QUICK FACTS
Owner
The Pokémon Company
Origin
🇯🇵 Japan
Since
1996
Mediums
Trading Cards, Video Games
Known For
Trading Cards
Collector Insight
Graded PSA 10 Base Set 1st Edition Charizards have sold for over $400,000, making vintage Pokémon cards among the most sought-after modern collectibles.
![Tropical Tidal Wave (Cavallone Tropicale) - World Championship Promo [036] - trading-cards collectible](https://smpgbcsonkmwzognzosu.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/curiosity-images/ff5db914-ae15-4a16-b7a7-b61c741ea110/1767479986120.jpg)
![Rayquaza-GX (Rainbow Rare) - SM Cosmic Eclipse [109/108] - trading-cards collectible](https://smpgbcsonkmwzognzosu.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/curiosity-images/5260d8ba-ec48-496f-bd5d-1338a8b5e906/1-1769110319157.jpg)
![Blaziken VMAX (Alternate Art Secret Rare) [Chilling Reign 201/198] - trading-cards collectible](https://smpgbcsonkmwzognzosu.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/curiosity-images/01fd95e8-4c7b-4b99-9890-b87cf3d6fcf8/1-1769151831415.jpg)
![Paldean Wooper - Paldean Fates (Special Illustration Rare) [PAL EN 221/193] - trading-cards collectible](https://smpgbcsonkmwzognzosu.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/curiosity-images/5260d8ba-ec48-496f-bd5d-1338a8b5e906/1-1769111440228.jpg)
![Victini - BWR Event Prize (Full Art) [SV-P #288] - trading-cards collectible](https://smpgbcsonkmwzognzosu.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/curiosity-images/ff5db914-ae15-4a16-b7a7-b61c741ea110/1-1767710298353.jpg)
![Pikachu (McDonald's Promo) [020/M-P] - 2025 Pokemon M-P JP - trading-cards collectible](https://smpgbcsonkmwzognzosu.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/curiosity-images/ff5db914-ae15-4a16-b7a7-b61c741ea110/1-1768664608922.jpg)
![Gardevoir ex (Special Illustration Rare) - Scarlet & Violet: Temporal Forces [086/198] - trading-cards collectible](https://smpgbcsonkmwzognzosu.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/curiosity-images/5260d8ba-ec48-496f-bd5d-1338a8b5e906/1-1769111204564.jpg)
![Skarlet ex - Scarlet & Violet (Gold Secret Rare) [SV2a 200/163] - trading-cards collectible](https://smpgbcsonkmwzognzosu.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/curiosity-images/3b4e4a29-dc6c-4bb7-89e7-ba1f18ee5364/1-1768830103113.jpg)
![Mega Gengar ex - Cyber Judge (Special Illustration Rare) [SV5M 093/071] - trading-cards collectible](https://smpgbcsonkmwzognzosu.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/curiosity-images/3b4e4a29-dc6c-4bb7-89e7-ba1f18ee5364/1-1768893803360.jpg)
![Magikarp - Pokémon Card 151 (Special Art Rare) [080/165] - trading-cards collectible](https://smpgbcsonkmwzognzosu.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/curiosity-images/ff5db914-ae15-4a16-b7a7-b61c741ea110/1-1768727268383.jpg)
Key releases that established the modern trading card market
1996 Japanese Base Set No-Rarity Symbol Charizard Holo
Released in late 1996, this card features artwork by Mitsuhiro Arita and reached a peak value of $420,000 at PWCC in 2022 for a PSA 10 Gem Mint grade.