Six-figure Pokémon Trainer Among CGC-certified Highlights in September PWCC Sales

Two Pokémon cards stole the spotlight during recent PWCC Weekly and Premier Auctions. The CGC-certified cards were just a few of the thousands of CGC-certified TCGs, sports cards and non-sports cards that were graded through the partnership between CGC Cards and PWCC Marketplace and then sold in September 2023.

A No. 2 Trainer, Pokémon (2001) Japanese Neo Summer Battle Road National – 2nd Place Senior Prize graded CGC Gem Mint 10 turned heads in PWCC’s monthly Premier Auction. The card is personalized for Takahiro Ikeda, the second-place winner of the tournament. Since each trophy card was customized for the winner, it is believed that only one copy of this card exists. After fierce competition, the No. 2 Trainer realized an impressive $132,000 on September 15, 2023.

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In addition, a Chansey, Pokémon (2021) Japanese Creatures Deck: Corporate History 25th Anniversary – 1995 graded CGC 9 sold for $27,000 on September 15. Creatures Inc. released the Corporate History Creatures Deck in 2021 as part of Pokémon’s 25th anniversary. Each card in the set is meant to commemorate an important milestone in the TCG’s development. This Chansey is notable for being a sketched test print, illustrated by one of the Pokémon TCG’s original artists, Kouichi Ooyama.

The Creatures Deck: Corporate History 25th Anniversary set was only distributed to internal Creatures Inc. staff, company affiliates and Pokémon TCG artists, so every card within the set was short-printed and not intended for public sale. In total, it is estimated that around 400 copies of each card were printed.

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Meanwhile, out of the CGC-certified sports cards that sold through PWCC last month, an extremely rare one-of-one card of a young NFL quarterback topped the sales from September. A 2022 Panini Phoenix Rising Rookie Material Signatures #RMS-DR Desmond Ridder – NFL Shield #'d/1 graded CGC 9, with an autograph graded CGC 10, sold for $1,140 on September 18. The rookie card of the Atlanta Falcons QB features the coveted NFL shield patch and an on-card signature. With only one example ever created, this football card is as scarce as they come.

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Another sports card that made waves in September is an early card of arguably the most dominant big man to ever play in the NBA: Shaquille O'Neal. On September 9, a 1992-93 Stadium Club Beam Team #21 Shaquille O'Neal graded CGC Gem Mint 10 sold for $1,000. One of the most valuable inserts from Shaq's rookie season with the Orlando Magic, this is one of the most sought-after cards from his early days in the NBA.

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

• a Charizard, Pokémon (1999) Base Set 1st Edition Holo graded CGC 9 that realized $12,000 on September 18
• a History Gate, Pokémon (2021) Japanese Creatures Deck: Corporate History 25th Anniversary Special Interview graded CGC 8.5, which realized $8,700 on September 11
• a Pikachu & Zekrom GX, Pokémon (2021) Creatures Deck: Corporate History 25th Anniversary —2018 graded CGC 9 that realized $8,400 on September 11
• a Charmander, Pokémon (2021) Japanese Creatures Deck: Corporate History 25th Anniversary — 2007 graded CGC 9.5 that realized $5,880 on September 11
• a Mew ex, Pokémon (2021) Japanese Creatures Deck: Corporate History 25th Anniversary — 2005 graded CGC 8.5 that realized $5,400 on September 6

Other recent sports card sales highlights include:

• a 2009-10 SP Game Used Combo Materials #CM-JJ Magic Johnson/Michael Jordan graded CGC 8 that realized $324 on September 18
• a 1936 Kosmos Olympia #62 200 Meter Race Jesse Owens/Mack Robinson graded CGC 7 that realized $252 on September 18
• a 1936 Novitas Olympia #79 Jesse Owens graded CGC 2 that realized $240 on September 18
• a 2020-21 Panini Contenders Veteran Season Ticket Autographs #VS-CBK Charles Barkley graded CGC Gem Mint 10 that realized $228 on September 4
• a 1992 Milano Caricaturas #25 Michael Jordan graded CGC 8.5 that realized $222 on September 18

Notable Upcoming PWCC Sales

PWCC Marketplace continues to offer CGC-certified cards in their weekly, fixed and premium auction formats. One of the highlights available in October is a Charizard, Pokémon (2003) Skyridge Reverse Holo graded CGC Pristine 10, available in Weekly Auction #90, which is set to end on Sunday, October 8. This Charizard, which is often referred to as the “Crystal” Charizard due to its holographic pattern, is one of the most sought-after cards in the Skyridge set due to its rarity and value within the collecting community. Bidding for this coveted Charizard is currently at $1,900. In addition, there are thousands of other CGC-certified cards being offered through PWCC’s platform in October.

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

• an Umbreon Gold Star, Pokémon (2007) POP Series 5 promo graded CGC 6.5
• a Counterspell, Magic: The Gathering (1993) Limited Edition Alpha graded CGC 6.5
• an Elsa – Spirit of Water, Disney Lorcana (2023) The First Chapter Enchanted Rainbow Foil graded CGC Pristine 10
• a Gengar, Pokémon Topps (2000) Chrome Series 2 Spectra-Chrome graded CGC Perfect 10
• a Gyarados, Pokémon (1999) Base Set 1st Edition Holo graded CGC 9

Other sports cards in the upcoming October auctions include:

• a 1992 Classic World Class Athletes Autographs Muhammad Ali graded CGC 7, with an autograph graded CGC 9
• a 1956 Topps #135 Mickey Mantle – White Back graded CGC 3.5
• a 2006-07 Upper Deck Rookie Showdown #RS-SCAO Ovechkin/Crosby graded CGC 9
• a 1950 Bowman #100 Sammy Baugh graded CGC 4.5
• a 2020 Topps Allen & Ginter Framed Mini Autographs #MA-BB Bo Bichette graded CGC 9, with an autograph graded CGC 10

Sell Your CGC-certified Cards on PWCC Marketplace!

PWCC Marketplace and CGC Cards have created a streamlined pathway to grading and selling through an operational partnership between the two companies. The grading and selling program is accessed via an online submission process on the PWCC website, and everything is managed through the PWCC Vault.

Cards sent to CGC receive priority grading and encapsulation through its third-party grading service for sports cards. Graded cards are returned to PWCC and immediately added to PWCC’s Auction Builder Curation Algorithm process, which optimizes cards for sale in upcoming PWCC 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.