What is shiny and potentially worth millions? Not gold or silver, but vintage Pokemon cards.
The cards became hugely popular in the 90s and noughties. Each one having an illustration of a particular Pokemon along with its stats which could be used to pit the fictional creatures against each other, like in the video games and cartoon.
Depending on which cards you have and how well they have been kept over the years, you could be sitting on a fortune. Some extremely rare examples can sell to collectors for hundreds of thousands of pounds, and even millions in some cases.
READ MORE: Liverpool Comic Con 2022: ticket prices, guests, parking, Q&As and more
Last month, a new record was set in the sale of Pokemon cards. YouTuber Logan Paul purchased a PSA Grade 10 Pikachu Illustrator card, which was a steal at £3,862,424.
The PSA grading is the system used to determine the condition of a card. PSA Grade 10 means that the card is in absolutely mint condition, with damage of any kind.
Cards like this are kept in sealed pouches to preserve their state. Removing it from the pouch could cause its value to drop if the card got scuffed or damaged.
The value of Pokemon cards has risen exponentially over the last few years. This could be down to a number of factors, including the children who grew up with them now being adults with money to spend, as well as the increasing popularity of the cards through lockdown.
Although it is very rare for cards to sell in the millions, prices reaching into the hundreds of thousands of pounds are not uncommon. Limited edition cards in particularly good condition can often command high prices.
With prices such as these the cards have become less of a hobby and more of an investment. Finance expert at money.co.uk Florence Codjoe, told Metro that people looking to buy and sell should make sure they compare prices.
"It’s sometimes hard to know if you’re selling for the right price, or if you’re being ripped off with one you have your eye on", she said. "Compare listings with similar ones across marketplaces like Amazon or eBay, or even niches selling sites like Cardmarket.
"It can help to compare historical sold prices too, to check you’re not overpaying."
Cards which command a particularly high price can be sold through auction houses. There are also specialist websites which deal in the cards.
What is happening where you live? Find out by adding your postcode or visit InYourArea
Tesco toy bought for 99p in bargain bin sells for £2,000
10 things from 1980s and 1990s you no longer see at McDonald's
