Are Shiny Pokémon Worth More Money? Yes, Their Rarity Drives Higher Prices
As a long-time Pokémon fan and gaming industry analyst, I can definitively say shiny Pokémon are worth more money than regular ones. Shiny Pokémon cards and video game characters command hefty premiums thanks to their alternate color variants and extremely low chances of appearing.
Shiny Pokémon Card Values Skyrocket Due to Scarcity
The shiny Pokémon card market has exploded in recent years, with rare and old shinies selling for insane amounts:
- PSA 10 Shining Charizard (Japanese Shining Legends): $900 in 2022
- PSA 10 1st Edition Shiny Charizard (English Base Set): $300,000 in 2021!
As you can see, iconic shiny Charizards are particularly popular and valuable. But even less popular shinies from older, out of print sets can sell for thousands.
Modern set shiny cards still carry solid premiums despite being in print. For example, the Orbeetle VMAX Rainbow Rare from Sword & Shield can sell over $200 despite only releasing in 2020.
Below I‘ve compiled a table of notable recent shiny Pokémon card sale prices:
| Card | Set | Sale Price |
|---|---|---|
| PSA 10 Shining Genesect | Japanese Shining Legends | $450 |
| PSA 10 Hidden Fates Shiny Charmeleon | Hidden Fates | $350 |
| PSA 10 Shiny Lapras GX | Hidden Fates | $480 |
| PSA 10 Eevee GX | Sun & Moon Promo SM233 | $600 |
As you can see, prices range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars depending on the specific card‘s popularity, age, and condition.
Why Are Shiny Cards So Expensive?
Shiny Pokémon cards‘ value directly stems from their scarcity. They have much lower pull rates from packs compared to standard cards. Take the Hidden Fates set for example. While not as limited as older sets, Hidden Fates still only had a 1 in 4 packs chance of containing a shiny.
Additionally, condition plays a major role. A pristine PSA 10 shiny will sell for drastically more than a flawed but still shiny card. Given the low pack odds, cards that grade flawlessly are treasured by collectors.
Overall, economics drives their value – low supply plus high demand equals sky high prices. And as more fans enter the Pokémon hobby, the increasing interest and nostalgia will continue driving those prices upwards.
Shiny Video Game Values: Prized Despite No Competitive Advantage
In the video games, shiny Pokémon offer zero statistical advantages in combat. And yet they remain prestige items for players.
My Expectations for the Shiny Market in 2024
Here is my personal outlook on what to expect for shiny Pokémon values this year:
- Iconic older shinies like Charizard should continue rising, potentially drastically with high profile auction sales
- Modern set shinies will likely see moderate price increases across the board
- New Scarlet/Violet shinies could become quick fan favorites, leading to fast price gains
Let me know if you have any other questions about the exciting shiny Pokémon collecting hobby! This awesome community has so much knowledge to share.
