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 a 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.
![M Charizard EX - Flashfire (Secret Rare) [108/106] - trading-cards collectible](https://smpgbcsonkmwzognzosu.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/curiosity-images/3e29204b-4a5d-4bc9-9451-7f61b6e1b5d1/1-1779653105971.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)
![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)
![Blaziken VMAX (Secret Rare - Alternate Art) [Chilling Reign 201/198] - trading-cards collectible](https://smpgbcsonkmwzognzosu.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/curiosity-images/01fd95e8-4c7b-4b99-9890-b87cf3d6fcf8/1-1769151686593.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)
![Team Skull Grunt - Sun & Moon: Burning Shadows (Gold Full Art Trainer) [167/147] - trading-cards collectible](https://smpgbcsonkmwzognzosu.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/curiosity-images/5260d8ba-ec48-496f-bd5d-1338a8b5e906/1-1769111530678.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)
![Giratina V - Origen Perdido (Special Illustration Rare) [186/196] - trading-cards collectible](https://smpgbcsonkmwzognzosu.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/curiosity-images/f3a1cfab-2e50-4bd4-bd28-8b4045cdb862/1-1782589296691.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)
![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)
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.