Catawiki auctions complete Legendary Collection with almost perfect PSA scores.
Thirty years ago, the first Pokémon games appeared in Japan. What started with Pokémon Red and Green grew into one of the biggest entertainment franchises ever.
The estimated proceeds: 75,000 euros. For collectors, this is no ordinary set. This is a legacy from the early years of Pokémon.
Nostalgia with a price tag
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The Legendary Collection is a tribute to the first generation of Pokémon. Think of classics like Pikachu, Charizard and Blastoise.
What makes this set exceptional is not just its completeness. It’s mainly the state. Each card has a PSA score of 9, which means they are in near perfect condition. This is rare for cards from the early 2000s.
According to Pokémon expert Mickael Mole from Catawiki, collecting all 136 cards is already a challenge. The fact that they are also in almost perfect condition makes the collection unique.
Record prices are no longer an exception
The Pokémon card market has been booming for years. In 2024, a Pikachu Trophy World Championship card was sold via Catawiki for 45,499 euros. Other first edition sets and Charizard cards also earned tens of thousands of euros.
That’s no coincidence.
According to the 2025 Catawiki Insights report, Pokémon was the second most popular category among Dutch buyers. Demand increased by 70 percent compared to the previous year. Furthermore, Pokémon is the category for which users most often set a search alert. This even leaves LEGO behind.
That says a lot about the current generation of buyers. Millennials who grew up with Pokémon now have purchasing power. And what was once a folder under the bed is today an investment object.
More than a card set
In addition to the Legendary Collection, the anniversary auction contains even more eye-catchers. For example, a Charizard Metal 4 in PSA 10 is going under the hammer, signed by illustrator Mitsuhiro Arita. A limited Pikachu #XY-P Foil in PSA 10 is also part of the collection. But it’s all about that complete set.
Complete, high-quality collections are scarce. And scarcity drives value. Especially when nostalgia plays a role.
Why Pokémon keeps growing
Pokémon is no longer a children’s series. It is a cultural phenomenon that connects generations. Parents who once drew their first Charizard now share the experience with their own children.
That emotional value translates into economic value.
The anniversary auction runs from February 27 to March 14. The question is not whether the set will be sold. The question is how high the bids will go.
