Feast Your Eyes Upon the $213,500 Pokémon Card

That’s not a misprint. Goldin‘s recently concluded “Pop Culture Elite Auction” did indeed proffer a number of elite items, but none so gloriously extravagant as a 1999 Pokémon Charizard card in a condition so flawless, it could not be graded any higher. For that, a collector dug six figures deep, paying $213,500—more than double what someone paid for that viral Charizard-shaped Cheeto back in March. According to Goldin, “ever since the release of the first Pokémon trading cards in 1996, Charizard has held a special place at the pinnacle of Pokémon fandom. The ferocious, fire-breathing Flame Pokémon stars on this holographic treasure dating to the 1999 Pokémon issue.” “The holofoil background behind the massive Charizard on the card’s front dazzles as the item presents a crisp illustration of its subject by the renowned artist Mitsuhiro Arita. This is a true cornerstone of the Pokémon collecting speciality, and an incredible piece that would instantly be the crown jewel of any Pokémon ... Read full article.