1. Identify the exact card
Search the card name together with its collector number—the number printed near the bottom, such as 4/102 or 199/165. Confirm the set name, artwork, language and release. A Charizard from Base Set is not interchangeable with a later Charizard that uses different artwork or numbering.
Also check the finish. Normal, reverse holofoil, holofoil and promotional printings can have separate markets even when the artwork and card number look similar.
2. Assess the condition honestly
Raw-card prices depend heavily on condition. Look at the front and back under good light for whitening, scratches, dents, creases, edge wear and surface damage. Near Mint, Lightly Played and Heavily Played are not small differences: buyers price the risk of damage into what they will pay.
SeekerDex currently shows a source-market reference for an exact printing. It does not claim that every copy of that card is worth the same amount, so always adjust your decision for the actual card in front of you.
3. Compare sold evidence, not one asking price
An active listing shows what a seller hopes to receive. A completed sale is stronger evidence of what a buyer was willing to pay, but one unusual sale can still mislead. Use several recent, comparable sales for the same printing, finish, language and condition. Include postage when comparing the buyer’s total cost.
For UK buyers, a converted US market price is useful context rather than a guaranteed UK sale price. Availability, exchange rates, import costs and local demand can produce a meaningful difference.
4. Keep raw and graded values separate
A PSA 10, PSA 9, CGC 10 and an ungraded card are different market subjects. Grading company, numerical grade, label and certification all matter. Do not multiply a raw price by a fixed amount to estimate a slab; compare recent sales for the same card, grader and grade instead.
The cost and risk of grading also matter. A high advertised PSA 10 value does not mean an ungraded copy will achieve that grade.
Before you buy or sell
- Match the set and collector number.
- Confirm the finish, language and condition.
- Separate raw cards from each grader and grade.
- Compare several recent, compatible sales.
- Include postage and marketplace costs.
- Treat every value as an estimate, not a guarantee.
How SeekerDex approaches card values
SeekerDex keeps catalogue identity, raw reference prices, graded prices and live marketplace listings as separate records. A number is only labelled as a deal when the listing and comparison are compatible enough to support that claim. Read the full pricing methodology and data sources, browse Pokémon card sets, or search the card price database.