When the first Pokemon card game set was released in 1999, nobody could have predicted what its value would be 20+ years later. Before Pokemon, Americans were no strangers to collection crazes. Parents rioted over Cabbage Patch Kids in the 1980s, and the early 90s saw adults trample each other to acquire Beanie Babies. Nor were we unaware of the franchise marketing blitz. Star Wars proved that attaching the name of a popular franchise to anything meant big money. So what makes Pokemon so special that it has become the highest-grossing media franchise in the world? Simply put, it's fun! While 20 years ago, trainers only had to catch 151 Pokemon, there are now 806 of them - and as the original trainers have grown up, they've introduced Pokemon to their own children and rediscovered the game themselves. In fact, Pokemon is arguably more popular than ever today. With this cross-generational growth, the value of the cards have risen astronomically.
For many the journey started digitally, in your hands with a screen on Gameboy in 1998, shortly followed was a craze among youths that has not been seen to this day as Pokemon cards were born. Brought from the "Digital World" to the "Real World" for the first time, the frenzy was in full effect in the form of cardboard. First edition cards hit the stores and sold out almost instantly, for many card store owners who recently saw sports cards tank, it was what most thought was a nice trend. It was much more than that, Pokemon cards became the first form of value for many as kids. Trading and barter at the lunch table, with one main objective of fans, how to get a first edition Zard. To this day that chase continues for many, but can end with the click of a button, the same way the whole adventure started in 1998 on a comforting black & white Gameboy screen.
The most coveted of all of those cards, without a doubt, is featured in this offering - the 1999 1st Edition Shadowless holographic Charizard #4 card graded GEM MINT 10 by the card experts at PSA. This is the Holy Grail of Pokemon cards, the most iconic and important card to both the Pokemon franchise and its die hard fans. Indeed, this card can be compared to the T206 Wagner for baseball and 1986-87 Fleer Michael Jordan for basketball. It has attained a similar iconic status as far as Pokemon go, setting the stage for modern investment in todays lucrative modern card market. It's known even by those who couldn't otherwise tell you the difference between a Pikachu and a Raichu. The card is very difficult to attain in such pristine condition, and demand for a GEM MINT 10 example of the card continues to grow almost daily. Don't miss your chance to own this rare fiery Pokemon - a must-have in your collection if you truly wish to "catch 'em all"!