Pokémon No. 3 Trainer Graded by CGC Trading Cards Sells for Nearly $50,000

Five collectible trading cards that are certified by CGC Trading Cards™ sold for five-figure amounts in Heritage Auctions' Trading Card Signature Auction on June 12, 2022. They include rarities from Pokémon, Magic: the Gathering and Yu-Gi-Oh!

One highlight was a Pokémon (1999) No. 3 Trainer – Japanese, from the Tropical Mega Battle graded CGC 8.5 (lot 36169) that sold for $49,854. The card, honoring a third-place finisher, comes from what is considered the first-ever Pokémon World Championship. It includes CGC Trading Cards sub-grades for Centering (9), Surface (8.5), Corners (8.5) and Edges (8).

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Meanwhile, a Yu-Gi-Oh! (2005) The Seal of Orichalcos North American English card graded CGC 7 (lot 36059) sold for $26,400. This rarely seen Yu-Gi-Oh! card was used in a side event hosted by Upper Deck and was not intended for use elsewhere. (Both Heritage and CGC Trading Cards are respecting the tradition of not revealing the back of this card.)

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The sale featured another Pokémon rarity, but one that was printed much more recently. A Pokémon (2021) Charizard – Japanese, 25th Anniversary from Creatures Deck graded CGC 9.5 (lot 36197) sold for $25,200. CGC Trading Cards graded the card with sub-grades of Centering (9), Surface (9.5), Corners (10) and Edges (10). CGC has certified only two examples at the CGC 9.5 grade, with none higher.

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Another card related to a special event also realized a considerable sum. A Pokémon (1999) Tropical Wind – Japanese, Tropical Mega Battle Participation Prize graded CGC 8 (lot 36170) sold for $16,800. Fewer than 600 copies of the card were distributed, mostly at tournaments. This example has CGC Trading Cards sub-grades of Centering (9), Surface (8), Corners (8) and Edges (8.5).

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Other notable cards graded by CGC Trading Cards in this auction included:

• a Magic: The Gathering (1993) Black Lotus from the Unlimited Edition graded CGC 6.5 (lot 36019), which sold for $15,000.
• a Pokémon (2003) Skyridge set graded CGC 5.5 to 9.5 (lot 36145), which realized $11,400
• a Pokémon (2000) Lugia 9 from Neo Genesis 1st Edition graded CGC 9.5 (lot 36251), which sold for $5,640
• a Magic: The Gathering (1994) The Tabernacle at Pendrell Vale from Legends graded CGC 9 (lot 36037), which sold for $5,040
• a Pokémon (2021) Mew ex 041 from 25th Anniversary Creatures graded CGC 9.5 (lot 36200), which sold for $4,920
• a Pokémon (2021) Pikachu & Zekrom GX 031 from 25th Anniversary Creatures graded CGC 9.5 (lot 36207), which sold for $4,560
• a Pokémon (1999) Charizard 4 from 1st Edition Base Set graded CGC 6 (lot 36139), which sold for $4,560
• a Pokémon (1999) Charizard 4 from 1st Edition Base Set graded CGC 6.5 (lot 37097), which sold for $4,560
• a Pokémon (2021) Charmander 006 from 25^th Anniversary Creatures graded CGC 9.5, (lot 36201) which sold for $4,080
• a Pokémon (2021) Professor Oak's Hint 084 from 25th Anniversary Creatures graded CGC 9.5 (lot 36205), which sold for $3,960
• a Pokémon (1999) Charizard 4 from the 1st Edition Base Set graded CGC 5.5 (lot 37098), which sold for $3,600
• a Pokémon (2021) M Mewtwo EX 028 from 25th Anniversary Creatures graded CGC Pristine 10 (lot 36204), which sold for $3,360

Prices realized include buyer's premium.