Guides for trading card collectors

What to know before you buy, grade or sell a card: how to spot fakes, what PSA grade yours would get and when grading pays off.

Know your cards 11 Grading 3 Fakes 2 Care for your collection 2

Know your cards11

How much is my Pokémon card worth?How to find out what a Pokémon card is worth: identify the exact version, judge its condition and look at real sold prices. Common mistakes to avoid.Read guide →1st Edition vs Shadowless vs Unlimited: how to tell them apartHow to tell a Pokémon Base Set card in 1st Edition, Shadowless or Unlimited: the stamp, the shadow on the art frame and the copyright line.Read guide →Pokémon card rarity symbolsWhat each Pokémon rarity symbol means: common, uncommon, rare, holo, ultra rare, illustration rare, special illustration rare and gold. Japanese codes too.Read guide →Holo vs reverse holo vs non-holoThe difference between a holo, reverse holo and non-holo Pokémon card, how to tell them apart at a glance, and why each version has its own price.Read guide →What is a rookie card (RC) and why is it worth more?What a rookie card is, how to tell if yours is one, how it differs from a pre-rookie or a 1st Bowman, and why it's usually worth more than the rest.Read guide →How to read a card numberWhat a Pokémon card number means (4/102), how to spot a secret rare, set codes, promos and how One Piece cards are numbered.Read guide →Old Pokémon cards worth moneyWhich old Pokémon cards are worth money: Base Set holos, 1st Edition, shadowless, Shining and Gold Star. The most expensive, with up-to-date prices.Read guide →How much is a Charizard card worth?What your Charizard is worth by version: Base Set 1st Edition, shadowless, Shining, Dark Charizard and modern cards. Up-to-date prices and how to identify it.Read guide →Sports card terms: rookie, numbered, refractor…Sports card glossary for soccer, NBA and F1: rookie, parallel, refractor, Prizm, numbered /99, 1/1, SP, autograph, relic, patch, case hit.Read guide →Pokémon and One Piece release calendarWhen the next Pokémon, One Piece and other sets come out, plus the ones just released, with their card lists and most expensive cards. Updates automatically.Read guide →The most expensive One Piece cardsThe One Piece cards worth the most (alternate arts, manga arts, Luffy, Shanks and Zoro secret rares), with up-to-date prices, how to tell which version you have and what to check before buying.Read guide →

Grading3

Is it worth grading a card?When grading a card with PSA pays off and when it doesn't: the costs, the math with your likely grade, and examples. Work it out for your card.Read guide →What PSA grade would my card get?How to estimate your card's PSA grade: the 1-10 scale, front and back centering tolerances, corners, edges and surface.Read guide →PSA vs BGS vs CGC: which grading company to chooseThe differences between PSA, BGS and CGC: scales, subgrades, Black Label, slabs and resale. Which one suits you if you want to sell or keep your card.Read guide →

Fakes2

How to tell if a Pokémon card is fakeHow to spot fake Pokémon cards at home: the back, the print pattern, the edge, the light test, holo and graded slab certs. And how to check it with AI.Read guide →How to tell if a One Piece card is fakeHow to spot fake One Piece cards: code and rarity, comparison with the official card, the back, print pattern, shine, texture and card stock.Read guide →

Care for your collection2

How to store and protect your cardsSleeves, toploaders, PVC-free binders, humidity and light: how to store Pokémon and sports cards so they keep their condition and value over time.Read guide →How to photograph your cardsHow to photograph your cards with your phone to sell or analyze them: light, background, angle, holo glare, slabs and the most common mistakes.Read guide →

Know your cards: what each one is worth

Prices

All prices Most expensive cards