The Unexpected Value Of This 2019 Pokemon Card

To a certain generation the phrase "gotta catch 'em all" can only mean one thing: Pokémon. The popular Japanese franchise that started in 1996 as an animated series, several films, and a few video games grew into a huge media franchise, with one of the most notable aspects being a Pokémon trading card game worth a lot of money depending on what characters and editions you have. These cards have been highly sought-after by collectors for decades, with one of the rarest modern-day cards sold for a record amount in a game of rock-paper-scissors according to Dicebreaker.

Many rare Pokémon cards from the 1990s have only increased in value over the years. However, the full-art Lillie card from 2019 is a fairly modern day card that went for $100,000 at auction. The modernity of the card is unusual, but how it was ultimately taken home is even more unusual.

It can be hard to project if and when collectibles like Pokémon or Yu-Gi-Oh! cards are going to be worth a lot of money, though sometimes the lore and legend sets the assessed value high from the start. The full-art Lillie card or "waifu" Lillie was originally released as a promotional card in conjunction with the Extra Battle Day event held in Japan between October and November of 2019. The day culminated with a rock-paper-scissors challenge where a winner was awarded with a booster pack of rare cards with each pack containing one of three full-art cards.

Illustrated by Naoki Saito, the full-art Lillie is considered one of the hardest of the three to find and ranks in position 13 for the most expensive Pokémon card ever sold, according to Vaulted Collection. The card, with a grade of PSA 10, eventually found its way to PWCC Auctions in 2023 and sold for $108,000.

What might be junk to some is gold to others and it could be sitting right under your nose. Some old toys, comic books, and sports cards have higher values today than they did when they originally were produced. You might not be an expert on these collectibles, but before you throw away those old coins that might be worth a pretty penny, it is worth having them assessed for their current day value.

Not only can these items be factored into your net worth, but selling collectibles can add to your retirement nest egg or help generate some fast cash in an emergency. This logic rings true for even those who it might seem are set for life with their finances, including professional athletes. In 2022, Polygon reported on how NFL starter Blake Martinez, then freshly signed with the Las Vegas Raiders, auctioned off a Pokémon card for $672,000, then promptly retired from professional football. He was 28 at the time, proving that at any age, you can be a master at selling your old Pokémon cards and catch the sales price you are looking for.