Everything was a lot simpler in the 1990s because happiness could be bought – and it came in shiny pristine packets of original Pokémon cards.
Apparently there are people out there who are more than keen to part with big bucks to get themselves a bit of that good ol’ childhood nostalgia (and potentially a rare shiny Charizard card.)
An unopened box of the original 1999 cards recently went up for auction in the United States, where its starting price of $20,000 USD quickly rocketed to an eye-watering $56,000.
Now although that might seem absolutely crazy, there is a bit of logic behind the expensive purchase, as last year an incredibly rare mint condition shiny Charizard card sold for $55,000, meaning if such a card is in the unopened box, the buyer will be able to make their money back and then some.
Whether or not that will actually happen is a different story, as the item’s auction description breaks down the statistics of the unopened box, stating: “A box break will yield (36) 11-card packs. Additionally, each pack will deliver: (5) common, (3) uncommon, (2) Energy and (1) Rare or Foil card.
“Based on production, the odds of pulling a foil card are nearly 1:3 packs. With 396 chances for Gem Mint 10 holos and other high-grade treasures, ‘the sky’s the limit’ for this transcendent non-sport box!”
The auction image of the item proudly states: “1st Edition Limited Printing.”
Hopefully we’ll see a YouTube unboxing of the item one day, but there’s a good chance the box’s proud owner is going to keep the box sealed forever.
It might very well be one of the only ones left in the world!
And to think our parents told us these cards were a waste of money…
What do you think about this very unusual financial investment? Solid maths or a plan that’ll have the buyer blasting off Team Rocket style?