CGC-certified Pokémon Prototypes and Promos Dominate October Fanatics Collect Auctions

A set of Pokémon Japanese Alpha Prototype cards graded by CGC Cards™ realized six figures in Fanatics Collect’s October Premier Auction, becoming the second-highest CGC-certified lot to sell on the auction platform. They were just some of the thousands of CGC-certified TCGs, sports cards and non-sports cards that were sold through the Fanatics Collect marketplace in October 2024.

The full set of 26 Pokémon (1995) Japanese Alpha Prototype cards, each graded CGC 8 through CGC Gem Mint 10 realized $132,000 in Fanatics Collect’s Premier Auction on October 24. These early prototype cards were used to illustrate the game’s potential and basic concepts to producers. All 26 cards are thought to have at least six copies each — but it is rare to see them at auction. (For more information about Pokémon Alpha Prototype cards and other phases that the Pokémon TCG went through during development, check out this article.)

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Additionally, a No. 3 Trainer, Pokémon (2000) Japanese Super Secret Battle – Best in Japan Yasuhiro Murakami – 3rd Place Holo graded CGC 8 realized $39,600 on October 24. The 2000 World Challenge Super Secret Battle was held at the Tokyo Pokémon Center in August 2000. The tournament was hosted after the conclusion of the 2000 World Challenge Spring and Summer tournament circuits in Japan and consisted of the top-placing competitors of that tournament duking it out to see who was the strongest of all. The top three finalists in this tournament received a No. 1-3 Trainer trophy card as proof of their win. It is believed that there is only one copy of this No. 3 Trainer in existence.

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Meanwhile, hundreds of CGC-certified sports cards were sold through Fanatics Collect in October as well, with the top highlight being a rookie card of NFL star C.J. Stroud that is serial-numbered to only 10 ever made. A 2022 Panini Select '23 XRC #502 C.J. Stroud - Gold certified CGC Authentic sold for $10,500 on October 13. The 2023 NFL Rookie of the Year has helped turn around the Houston Texans franchise, winning the AFC South last season and leading the division once again this season. As one of the youngest and most promising quarterbacks in the league, it's no surprise that some of Stroud's rookie cards command a premium.

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Another sports highlight from October's Fanatics Collect sales was a rare patch autograph card of NBA star Tyrese Haliburton. A 2020-21 Panini National Treasures Rookie Patch Autographs #103 Tyrese Haliburton certified CGC Authentic sold for $6,600 on October 13. Numbered to only 99 made, the card comes from the always coveted high-end Panini National Treasures set. It features a portion of Haliburton's Sacramento Kings jersey from his rookie year before he was traded to the Indiana Pacers. Plus, he signed the card, making it even more desirable.

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Other recent TCG and non-sports card sales highlights included:

• a complete set of Pokémon (1999) Base Set Shadowless 1st Edition cards graded CGC 7 through CGC Gem Mint 10 that realized $34,200 on October 24
• a Blue-Eyes White Dragon, Yu-Gi-Oh! (1999) Japanese Jump Festa 2000 Secret Rare Promo graded CGC 5 that realized $10,200 on October 27
• a Lillie, Pokémon (2017) Japanese GX Battle Boost graded CGC Pristine 10 that realized $8,700 on October 20
• a Charizard, Pokémon (1999) Base Set Shadowless Holo graded CGC Gem Mint 10 that realized $7,500 on October 13
• a lot of 101 Pokémon (1999) Base Set Shadowless cards graded CGC 5.5 through CGC Gem Mint 10 that realized $7,200 on October 20

Other recent sports card sales highlights included:

• a 2024 Panini The National VIP Rookies Memorabilia #RC9 Caitlin Clark - Gold Vinyl certified CGC Authentic that realized $5,760 on October 20
• a 1984 Panini F1 Grand Prix Scratch N' Play Ayrton Senna graded CGC 8.5 that realized $5,520 on October 19
• a 2008-09 UD Black Commemorative Logo Autographs #C-JO Michael Jordan certified CGC Authentic, that realized $5,280 on October 27
• a 2006-07 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Scripted Swatches #SSLJ LeBron James certified CGC Authentic that realized $5,280 on October 6
• a 2014 Panini Flawless Greats Patches Autographs #33 Joe Montana - Ruby certified CGC Authentic that realized $5,160 on October 13

Notable Upcoming Fanatics Collect Sales

Fanatics Collect continues to offer CGC-certified cards in their weekly, fixed and premium auction formats. One of the highlights available in November is a Dark Magician Girl, Yu-Gi-Oh! (2003) North American Magician’s Force – MFC-000 1st Edition Secret Rare graded CGC Gem Mint 10. Magician’s Force was the first set to feature the iconic Yu-Gi-Oh! spellcaster. Dark Magician Girl’s support capabilities make her a staple in Dark Magician decks because of her ability to gain 300 Attack for every Dark Magician in the graveyard. Nostalgic Yu-Gi-Oh! fans also remember Dark Magician Girl as being a major part of Yugi Muto’s deck in the anime.

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Other TCG and non-sports cards in the upcoming November auctions include:

• a Greninja ex, Pokémon (2024) Twilight Masquerade graded CGC Gem Mint 10
• a complete set of Pokémon (1999) Fossil 1st Edition cards graded CGC 7.5 through CGC Pristine 10
• an Umbreon VMAX, Pokémon (2021) Evolving Skies graded CGC 9
• a Trainer Certification Card, Pokémon (2000) Japanese Grand Party Unnumbered Promo graded CGC Pristine 10
• a complete set of Pokémon (1999) Fossil cards graded CGC 5.5 through CGC Pristine 10

Other sports cards in the upcoming November auctions include:

• a 1998-99 Hoops Shout Outs #13SO Michael Jordan graded CGC Gem Mint 10
• a 2020 Topps Dynasty Formula 1 Single-Driver Autographed Triple Relic #TRA-IIISV Sebastian Vettel - Red certified CGC Authentic
• a 2023 Upper Deck Extended Series #740 Connor Bedard - Outburst graded CGC 8
• a 2018 Panini Diamond Kings Aurora #A10 Shohei Ohtani graded CGC Pristine 10
• a 2020-21 Panini Flawless Enshrined Signatures #ENS-SIR Charles Barkley certified CGC Authentic

Sell Your CGC-certified Cards on Fanatics Collect!

In July 2024, PWCC Marketplace became Fanatics Collect — a new collectibles marketplace that connects dealers and collectors through fixed-price listings, auctions and a myriad of tools and features, all in one app. CGC Cards and Fanatics Collect remain partners and will continue to provide a streamlined pathway to grading and selling. The grading and selling program is still accessed via an online submission process through Fanatics Collect's website, and everything is still managed through the Fanatics Collect vault. For more information about Fanatics Collect, click here.

Cards sent to CGC receive priority grading and encapsulation through its third-party grading service for sports cards. Graded cards are returned to Fanatics Collect and immediately added to their Auction Builder Curation Algorithm process, which optimizes cards for sale in upcoming Fanatics Collect Weekly Sunday Auctions.

For more information about this program, click here.

Prices realized include buyer’s premium.

Note: At the time some of these cards were graded, they were encapsulated with the original CGC Cards label. Starting July 11, 2023, CGC Cards began encapsulating cards with the new CGC Cards label. In addition to the new label, collectors enjoy many other benefits with CGC Cards, such as the ability to submit without purchasing a membership and an industry-standard Gem Mint 10 grading scale. For more information, go here.