TCG Card Investor  ·  Weekly Briefing

TCG Card Investor

Weekly market intelligence on the Pokemon TCG

Vol. 2026 · Issue No. 11  ·  June 27 – July 4, 2026

Hey friend, welcome to the hobby.

The Big Story

GameStop is listing 30th Anniversary Ultra Premium Collections at $600 against a $180 MSRP, and TCGPlayer scalpers are moving ETBs at $400-$500 against a $50 MSRP. Shill bidders with zero feedback are artificially driving up Pokemon slab auctions on eBay and Z&G Emporium, with the same account appearing as top bidder on two simultaneous listings of the same card. Celebrations ETBs have hit $498 and the Ultra Premium Collection is above $1,300 as the 30th Anniversary hype pulls capital into its predecessor set.

Key Market Trends

1.30th Anniversary pre-order frenzy: extreme markups and allocation fears. 30th Celebration ETBs carry a $49.99 MSRP but are already listed at $130 on GameStop and $400-$500 on TCGPlayer, with one retailer's pre-order wave selling every SKU in under a minute to only 5% of 20,000 visitors. The set is a specialty format with no booster box, five-card packs, and two Ultra Premium Collections at a rumored $179.99 MSRP slated for November 6. Multiple creators warn that allocation numbers are unconfirmed and FOMO spending at current pre-order prices carries poor risk/reward.
Alpha Investments 25:29  ·  It Was Never A Phase Cards 00:36  ·  Danny Phantump 01:12  ·  The Poke Plumber 07:06
2.Prismatic Evolutions ETBs hold near $175-$200 as multiple creators call them a priority buy. Prismatic Evolutions ETBs are trading around $175-$200, with booster bundles at $95-$100, while comparable specialty-set ETBs such as Crown Zenith, Celebrations, and 151 trade between $350 and $600. Creators across multiple channels argue the set's rotation approaching in under nine months compresses the appreciation window, making it a higher-priority hold or buy than newer sets. One creator explicitly calls it a no-brainer at current prices.
Nostalgia Nomics 12:51  ·  AnonTCG 00:37  ·  The Poke Plumber 04:56  ·  The Poke Plumber 20:44  ·  It Was Never A Phase Cards 14:43
3.Celebrations products hitting all-time highs as 30th Anniversary hype lifts the predecessor set. Celebrations ETBs have risen 150% year-over-year to $498, the Ultra Premium Collection has crossed $1,300 (up 135% from $550 a year ago) with a listed median of $1,900, and loose packs are up 133% to $35 with all lowest listings at $40 and above. Creators cite the Celebrations precedent directly when projecting 30th Anniversary product trajectories, with one noting a Celebrations UPC bought at $225 in 2022 is now worth $1,300.
It Was Never A Phase Cards 12:59  ·  Nostalgia Nomics 14:15  ·  The Poke Plumber 14:42
4.Black Bolt and White Flare illustration rares surging 73-148% on coordinated buyouts. Multiple Black Bolt and White Flare illustration rares have spiked 73-148% over three months via apparent single-day coordinated buyout events, with cards like Seismitoad IR up 48% to $252 and Petilil IR up 148% to $42. The sets have had no meaningful distributor restocks since a small Victini box restock roughly a year ago, making individual cards easy to buy out. Several cards still sit near $10 on TCGPlayer, and creators caution against chasing already-spiked cards while flagging the untouched lower-priced cards as potential targets.
Danny Phantump 04:36  ·  It Was Never A Phase Cards 12:54
5.Scarlet and Violet era booster boxes posting 30-70% annual gains across the board. Virtually every Scarlet and Violet main-series booster box gained 30-70% over the past year regardless of how hyped or dismissed the set was at launch, with Surging Sparks rising from $180 to $300, Scarlet and Violet Base from $200 to over $300, and Twilight Masquerade pushing above $400. Creators attribute the broad-based gains to sets approaching out-of-print status and argue that diversified exposure across the era has historically matched or beaten selective picks.
Nostalgia Nomics 01:30  ·  Nostalgia Nomics 14:39  ·  It Was Never A Phase Cards 14:51  ·  Alpha Investments 33:40

Consensus Calls

BUYPrismatic Evolutions ETBs and booster bundles at current prices near $175-$200 and $95-$100 respectively, prioritizing them over newer sets given rotation approaching in under nine months and a comparable specialty-set ceiling of $350-$600.
BUYSurging Sparks booster boxes at current prices around $250-$300 as a better risk/reward alternative to chasing 30th Anniversary product at inflated pre-order prices, with the set up from $180 and still viewed as undervalued relative to its out-of-print trajectory.
SELLIf over-leveraged, trim positions in sets that have already completed one or two appreciation cycles, such as Paldean Fates ETBs (mid-$400s), Scarlet and Violet 151 Ultra Premium Collections (around $957, down from a $1,260 high), and Celebrations ETBs (near $498), to raise liquid capital before market direction clarifies.
AVOIDAvoid paying $400-$500 for 30th Anniversary ETB pre-orders or $600 for Ultra Premium Collection pre-orders from scalpers; allocation is unconfirmed, risk/reward is poor, and MSRP alternatives will be available closer to the September-November release window.
AVOIDAvoid chasing Black Bolt and White Flare illustration rares that have already surged 100% or more via apparent buyouts, as prices may retrace when sellers return around the 30th Anniversary release.

If you found this useful, forward to a fellow collector or investor. Sharing helps the briefing reach the right audience.

Quote of the Week

“Consistent action beats perfect selection every time.”

— Nostalgia Nomics  ·  12:32

Section 01

Market Commentary

Per-creator notes from market-commentary channels. Each section reflects one channel's published view; consensus across all channels is summarized in the briefing above.

From Alpha Investments

BRACE FOR IMPACT - POKEMON 30th and the HOBBIT

Jul 02, 2026  ·  36m 25s

Investment Thesis

[Pokemon segment] Rudy covers the Pokemon 30th anniversary product launch, warning that ETB pre-orders are already hitting $400-$500 on TCG Player against an MSRP of roughly $60-$70. He expects catastrophic allocation shortages and advises skipping the pre-order frenzy entirely, recommending existing sealed product like Surging Sparks booster boxes and Brilliant Stars booster boxes as better risk/reward alternatives.

Datapoints

  • Pokemon 30th anniversary ETBs are already pre-selling on TCG Player for $400-$500, representing roughly an 800% markup over the estimated MSRP of $60-$70. 25:29
  • Local game stores are reportedly posting banners offering to pay 95-100% of market value on release day for Pokemon 30th product because they expect to receive little to no allocation. 27:33
  • An internet theory circulating in the Pokemon community holds that recent poor restocks of other sets are because The Pokemon Company has redirected all print capacity toward building up Pokemon 30th anniversary inventory for launch. 29:58

Recommendations

BUYSurging Sparks booster boxes at current prices of roughly $250-$300 as a better risk/reward alternative to chasing Pokemon 30th anniversary product at inflated pre-order prices. 33:40
BUYBrilliant Stars booster boxes as a higher-value alternative to paying $500 for a Pokemon 30th anniversary ETB that has not yet released. 33:20
AVOIDDo not pay $400-$500 for a Pokemon 30th anniversary ETB pre-order; if allocations are as bad as expected, the risk/reward is poor compared to available sealed alternatives. 32:47

View Source  →  YouTube

From Nostalgia Nomics

The Pokemon Market Slowdown Begins...

Jun 30, 2026  ·  20m 38s

Investment Thesis

Nostalgia Nomics argues the current Pokemon market slowdown is likely a seasonal summer dip compounded by short three-week small-set releases, not necessarily a structural bear market. He benchmarks key sealed products, compares Prismatic Evolutions ETBs against Ascended Heroes ETBs on a time-cycle basis, and advises over-leveraged holders to trim older appreciated sets while letting newer prints mature.

Datapoints

  • Multiple sealed products have pulled back during the summer slowdown: Fusion Strike booster boxes are back to $975, Lost Origin booster boxes to $735, Scarlet & Violet 151 Ultra Premium Collections to $975, and Paldean Fates ETBs to the mid-$400s. 04:24
  • Prismatic Evolutions ETBs are currently around $175-$180, while comparable specialty-set ETBs such as Crown Zenith, Celebrations, 151, and Paldean Fates trade between $350 and $600, implying roughly a 100% return potential if Prismatic reaches that range. 12:51
  • Temporal Forces, Stellar Crown, Surging Sparks, and Twilight Masquerade booster boxes have all climbed into the mid-$300s (Twilight Masquerade possibly above $400), up from sub-$300 levels the creator cited months ago, as buyers anticipate those sets going out of print. 14:39

Recommendations

BUYPrioritize Prismatic Evolutions ETBs over Ascended Heroes ETBs at current prices because Prismatic goes out of print roughly a year sooner, making the near-term appreciation window tighter and the percentage-return opportunity more immediate. 16:01
BUYBegin shifting capital into Ascended Heroes ETBs only once Prismatic Evolutions ETBs reach approximately $250, at which point the relative value and time-cycle advantage shifts toward Ascended Heroes. 18:11
SELLIf you are over-leveraged or over-invested, trim positions in sets that have already gone through one or two appreciation cycles, such as Paldean Fates ETBs, Scarlet & Violet 151 Ultra Premium Collections, Paldea Evolved booster boxes, Brilliant Stars booster boxes, and Celebrations ETBs, to raise liquid capital before the market direction becomes clearer. 10:35

View Source  →  YouTube

Pokemon Investing CHANGED! Time To ADAPT!

Jul 02, 2026  ·  13m 03s

Investment Thesis

Nostalgia Nomics reviews year-over-year price performance across Scarlet & Violet booster boxes and individual illustration rares, finding that most sets gained 40-70% regardless of community sentiment. The creator argues that overlooked mid-range cards and sets often matched or beat hyped picks, and that consistent action beats perfect selection every time.

Datapoints

  • Scarlet & Violet base set booster boxes rose from roughly $200 to over $300 over the past year, a gain of approximately 50%, despite being widely dismissed at launch. 01:00
  • Most Scarlet & Violet era booster boxes (Paldea Evolved, Obsidian Flames, Paradox Rift, Temporal Forces, Twilight Masquerade, Stellar Crown, Surging Sparks) posted 30-70% gains over the year, with returns clustering in the 40-60% range regardless of how hyped or hated each set was. 01:30
  • Lower-profile illustration rares in Paldea Evolved (Marill, Raichu, Mismagius, Sprigatito) and Obsidian Flames (Ninetales, Cleffa, Gloom, Pidgey) each returned roughly 200-300%, outperforming the headline Magikarp and Charizard cards from those same sets. 08:02

Recommendations

BUYDiversify across multiple Scarlet & Violet era sets and mid-range illustration rares rather than concentrating in the most-hyped cards, as broad exposure has historically matched or beaten selective picks. 12:32

View Source  →  YouTube

We HAVE TO TALK About The Pokemon 30th Anniversary!

Jul 01, 2026  ·  18m 43s

Investment Thesis

Nostalgia Nomics breaks down the upcoming Pokemon 30th Anniversary product lineup, drawing comparisons to Generations and Celebrations to argue that UPCs, booster bundles, and ETBs will appreciate significantly over a 3-to-5-year hold. The creator also covers First Partner Collections Series 1 and 2 current pricing and flags illustration rare promo singles as a lower-cost entry point for investors who cannot secure sealed product.

Datapoints

  • Celebrations UPCs, which had an MSRP of $119.99, are now selling for approximately $1,300; the creator paid $225 per unit in February 2022, representing nearly a 6x return. 14:15
  • Celebrations ETBs are currently selling for nearly $450, up from a launch-era price that the creator describes as roughly $50. 15:01
  • First Partner Collections Series 1 is selling for around $70, Series 2 has stabilized near $50, and Series 3 is pre-selling at elevated prices the creator expects to fall closer to Series 2 levels or lower after release. 09:02

Recommendations

BUY30th Anniversary UPCs above MSRP if necessary, as the creator plans to do, targeting a 3-to-5-year hold based on Celebrations UPC precedent. 14:40
BUY30th Anniversary booster bundles and ETBs for sealed exposure, with the creator prioritizing bundles and UPCs over other formats. 11:48
BUYRaw or graded illustration rare promo singles from 30th Anniversary products as a lower-cost alternative to full sealed product. 17:13

View Source  →  YouTube

From AnonTCG

The Pokémon Summer is here: What I'm expecting and what I'm buying

Jun 28, 2026  ·  15m 02s

Investment Thesis

AnonTCG outlines a summer Pokemon investing strategy centered on two themes: flight to quality (Prismatic Evolutions, 151) and flight to out-of-favor sets (Temporal Forces, Stellar Crown, Journey Together, Perfect Order). He argues reprinted sets like Surging Sparks and Twilight Masquerade have already doubled from their reprint lows, and that ignored sets like Perfect Order and Journey Together are the better risk-reward plays right now.

Datapoints

  • Prismatic Evolutions Elite Trainer Boxes have pushed back over $200, and Booster Bundles are at $95-$100. Surprise boxes purchased 8-9 months ago at $31-$32 are now sitting at $75. 00:37
  • Surging Sparks and Twilight Masquerade ETB cases, which were $720-$750 at the time of their reprint, are now pushing $1,300, roughly doubling. Temporal Forces ETB cases are at $2,000 by comparison, reflecting the absence of reprints for that set. 03:53
  • Journey Together ETBs tanked to the low $60s-$70s after release but have since recovered to $140, roughly doubling for buyers who purchased at the dip. 05:54

Recommendations

BUYPrismatic Evolutions Booster Bundles and ETBs on any softness, as the creator expects them to be a long-term all-time performer with rotation approaching in under 9 months. 09:06
BUYPerfect Order ETBs at current prices while supply is abundant, as the creator expects cases to double to roughly $1,400 within a year and ETBs to reach $140, mirroring the Shrouded Fable trajectory. 11:07
BUYTemporal Forces and Stellar Crown sealed product opportunistically now, as both sets have had no reprints and limited pack distribution into tins or ex boxes, positioning them to age well. 03:13

View Source  →  YouTube

From Collect Pokemon

Dont' be fooled by the values of PSA 10

Jun 30, 2026  ·  13m 15s

Investment Thesis

Collect Pokemon shares his strategy around First Partner Collection Series 1, 2, and 3. He bought 300 Series 1 boxes at $50-55 each, expects further price drops on PSA 10 slabs as graded cards return to market, and warns viewers not to be misled by early high prices on Series 2 and 3 PSA 10s. He also explains why concentrating investment in the most desirable cards (rather than equal quantities across a set) is a smarter approach.

Datapoints

  • First Partner Collection Series 1 Kanto starter PSA 10 sequential sets peaked at around $2,000 per card and $8,000 for a sequential set of nine, but have since dropped to roughly $300 for Kanto starters and $120-$150 for other starters. 04:53
  • Creator expects an additional 20-30% price drop on First Partner Collection Series 1 PSA 10 slabs as more graded cards return from PSA and flood the market, projecting Kanto starters settling around $220 and other starters falling to $70-$100. 05:01
  • First Partner Collection Series 2 sealed boxes started around $60 on eBay, have dropped to $52, and the creator believes they could fall further to $40-$45 due to the set featuring the unpopular Order and Chaos Rising sets. 09:17

Recommendations

AVOIDWait before buying First Partner Collection Series 1 PSA 10 slabs, as the creator expects prices to drop another 20-30% as more graded cards return to market. 05:50
AVOIDDo not chase early high-priced PSA 10s for First Partner Collection Series 2 and 3 when they first hit the market, as those prices will not reflect true long-term value. 07:19

View Source  →  YouTube

70% of you will lose money.

Jun 28, 2026  ·  18m 15s

Investment Thesis

Collect Pokemon argues a necessary market correction is underway, predicting slab prices could fall 20-40% as oversupply and panic selling take hold. He estimates 70% of newer collectors will lose money, while the remaining 30% with deeper knowledge will find buying opportunities in undervalued cards. He also expects capital to rotate back into sealed products as slab volatility becomes apparent.

Datapoints

  • Creator estimates slab prices could drop 20-40% in the current correction, driven by oversupply and panic selling from newer collectors who entered the hobby within the last three years. 00:03
  • During the COVID-era run-up, Shining Legends Lugia spiked sharply then crashed with the broader market; collectors who bought at the bottom saw significant recovery gains in subsequent years. 08:57
  • Sealed products have largely been stagnant for roughly two years as speculative money flowed into slabs instead; creator expects capital rotation back into sealed as slab volatility becomes widely understood. 14:18

Recommendations

HOLDIf you currently hold slabs, either sell locally this week or hold through the next two months of expected panic selling rather than dumping at the worst prices. 13:27

View Source  →  YouTube

From Ketchum All Collectibles

Where and How To Sell A Pokemon Collection

Jun 29, 2026  ·  24m 16s

Investment Thesis

Ketchum All Collectibles walks through how he routes Pokemon inventory across selling platforms including Fanatics Live, consignment services (Arizona TCG, DC Sports, Sealed Chis Consignments), and LGS partners. He notes collection-buying rates have softened to around 75% of market value and describes the current Pokemon market as strongly booming, with cards reliably fetching near-market prices across virtually all platforms.

Datapoints

  • Collection-buying rates have softened: the creator is now offering closer to 75% of market value on most items, down from the 80-90% range that was common six to ten months ago, citing an inability to keep up with volume at higher rates. 07:20
  • The Pokemon market is described as strongly booming: sealed and graded product consistently sells at approximately 95% of market value across platforms, with the creator noting items sell near market even at 3am on obscure websites. 23:09

View Source  →  YouTube

From The Poke Plumber

Enough is Enough! (18+) (My apologies for the RANT at the end…)

Jun 29, 2026  ·  31m 43s

Investment Thesis

The Poke Plumber reports widespread shill bidding across Pokemon slab auctions, with zero-feedback accounts artificially inflating prices on platforms including Z&G Emporium. He contrasts the manipulated slab market with sealed product, which he views as safer and currently affordable. He also flags rising prices on Black Bolt and White Flare ETBs, calls Prismatic Evolutions a no-brainer buy, and notes Astral Radiance booster boxes as still affordable.

Datapoints

  • Shill bidding has become widespread across Pokemon slab auctions: the creator observed zero-feedback and one-feedback accounts artificially driving up bids on cards including a Mewtwo full art (which appeared to sell at $3,300 before being relisted) and a Gengar on Z&G Emporium, with the same bidder appearing as the highest bid on two simultaneous auctions of the same card. 10:04
  • Ancient Origins booster boxes recently sold at around $6,500-$7,000, up from roughly $5,000 a couple of months prior, though the creator suspects some of that earlier peak near $10,000 was also driven by shill activity. 18:30
  • Black Bolt and White Flare ETBs have risen significantly since the creator first discussed them when ETBs were around $90, and Astral Radiance booster boxes have been flat for many months and remain affordable. 17:21

Recommendations

BUYPrismatic Evolutions products, which the creator calls a no-brainer at current prices. 20:44
BUYAstral Radiance booster boxes while they remain affordable after months of price stagnation. 02:50
AVOIDAvoid chasing Pokemon slabs at auction right now, as shill bidding is inflating prices across platforms and the creator has stepped back from slab purchases after identifying the pattern. 14:02

View Source  →  YouTube

Sealed Pokémon Investing is DEAD!

Jul 03, 2026  ·  21m 18s

Investment Thesis

The Poke Plumber argues that sealed Pokemon investing has slowed significantly, with Evolving Skies booster boxes flat for roughly a year and sentiment shifting toward upcoming releases like the 30th anniversary. He urges caution about overpaying for new product, flags widespread slab manipulation at auction, and maintains long-term conviction in Sword and Shield and Scarlet and Violet sealed as the safest holds if the market corrects.

Datapoints

  • Evolving Skies booster boxes have been essentially flat for an entire year, with only minor swings of roughly 3-6% in either direction. 02:52
  • Prismatic Evolutions ETBs are currently trading around $175-$180, while investor attention is shifting toward the 30th anniversary product instead. 04:56
  • Widespread shill bidding is visible on eBay and ZandG auctions; the creator tested the theory by placing a $2,200 max bid and was outbid by $25 within 10 seconds by a low-feedback account. 08:47

Recommendations

BUYEvolving Skies booster boxes slowly and incrementally while the set remains stagnant, as the creator recently added a box and a sleeve case at current flat prices. 04:17
HOLDPrismatic Evolutions ETBs rather than selling them to chase 30th anniversary product at all-time high prices. 12:17
AVOIDAvoid paying $250-$400 for 30th anniversary ETBs or $600 for a Celebrations Ultra Premium Collection at launch given heavy rumored print runs and inflated retail pricing. 12:01

View Source  →  YouTube

Is This The Best Product In Pokemon History?!? DONT MISS OUT!

Jul 01, 2026  ·  28m 27s

Investment Thesis

The Poke Plumber covers the 30th anniversary product lineup, highlighting massive pre-order demand where only 5% of visitors secured product from one retailer's first wave. He argues Pokemon has been pulling back print runs on recent sets to prioritize 30th anniversary production, and shares price observations on Surging Sparks, Paradox Rift, and Prismatic Evolutions while urging collectors to dollar-cost average into 30th anniversary products.

Datapoints

  • A retailer's 30th anniversary pre-order wave drew 4,000 concurrent visitors at peak, with every SKU selling out in under a minute; only 5% of the 20,000 unique visitors were able to complete a checkout. 07:06
  • Surging Sparks booster boxes have reached $300, up from $180 when the creator previously recommended them. 20:40
  • The Celebrations Ultra Premium Collection, which launched around $200 MSRP, is now selling for approximately $1,300 roughly five years after release; the Generations UPC is over $4,000. 14:42

Recommendations

BUY30th anniversary UPCs when available, dollar-cost averaging across waves rather than chasing at peak prices. 19:24
BUYPrismatic Evolutions products while collector attention is diverted to 30th anniversary releases and prices are relatively softer. 21:26
BUYParadox Rift booster boxes in the $200s, which the creator views as a sleeper comparable to Astral Radiance's long-term trajectory. 21:20

View Source  →  YouTube

Section 02

Singles & Auction Prices

Latest singles and auction price changes from channels that track specific cards, eBay sales, and grading population shifts. Data-heavy by design; recommendations only where the creator made one.

From Danny Phantump

CRAZY Crown Zenith

Jun 28, 2026  ·  25m 02s

Investment Thesis

Danny Phantump breaks down the current state of Crown Zenith singles and pack economics. Key cards like Mewtwo VSTAR (Galarian Gallery) have surged to nearly $400 and Giratina VSTAR gold to $420, while booster packs now trade at roughly $23.85 each. Opening 36 packs yields an estimated $413 in average value against $858 in pack cost, meaning buyers lose about $12.36 per pack opened at current prices.

Datapoints

  • Crown Zenith booster packs are currently trading at approximately $23.85 each, up from around $4 per pack when the set was widely available, implying a roughly 6x increase from the period of peak supply. 22:29
  • Opening 36 packs of Crown Zenith yields an estimated average of $413.54 in card value (including ancillary hits such as textured energy cards), against a market cost of $858.60 for those packs, producing an average loss of approximately $445 per 36-pack session. The break-even pack price is calculated at $11.49. 21:56
  • Several Galarian Gallery back-half cards have surged sharply: Mewtwo VSTAR is at $398.47 (up from ~$70), Giratina VSTAR gold is at $420.26 (quadrupled), Glaceon VSTAR is at $82.73, Leafeon VSTAR is at $97.93, and Darkrai VSTAR has crossed $117.32. The Galarian Gallery front-half Pikachu sits at $55.84, up from roughly $10. 12:37

Recommendations

SELLThe creator suggests now may be a good time to move Crown Zenith textured energy cards on TCGplayer or trade them into a local game store while prices are elevated (the dark textured energy is cited at roughly $8-$9). 03:24
AVOIDAt current pack prices of roughly $23.85, opening Crown Zenith packs produces an average loss of about $12.36 per pack; the creator explicitly frames this as a losing proposition unless the buyer values the entertainment. 23:42

View Source  →  YouTube

WEIRD THINGS are Happening With Black Bolt and White Flare Illustration Rares!

Jul 03, 2026  ·  18m 30s

Investment Thesis

Danny Phantump examines a wave of unusual price surges across Black Bolt and White Flare illustration rares, documenting buyout events in late May and mid-June that pushed multiple cards up 73–148% over three months. He attributes the moves to the sets' wide illustration rare pool, thin secondary market supply, and limited restocks, and cautions collectors against chasing prices while suggesting trading or targeting cheaper copies that haven't yet been bought out.

Datapoints

  • Black Bolt and White Flare illustration rares have surged 73–148% over the past three months, with multiple cards showing coordinated single-day buyout events: the Seismitoad illustration rare is up ~48% to $252.40; the Oshawott illustration rare is up ~93% to $93.44; the Petilil illustration rare is up ~148% to $42.60; the Lilligant illustration rare is up ~129% to $64.52; and the Ducklett illustration rare is up ~141% to $35.90. 04:36
  • Black Bolt and White Flare have not received meaningful distributor restocks since a small Victini box restock roughly a year ago, and the sets' wide illustration rare pool (one illustration rare per approximately five packs) means individual cards hit the secondary market infrequently, making them easy to buy out and manipulate. 03:00
  • Several Black Bolt and White Flare illustration rares still hover around $10 on TCG Player, as not all cards in the sets have been targeted by buyouts yet. 10:34

Recommendations

BUYif completing a Black Bolt or White Flare master set, focus on the lower-priced illustration rares still hovering around $10 that have not yet been targeted by buyouts, rather than chasing cards already at multi-month highs. 10:34
AVOIDavoid chasing Black Bolt and White Flare illustration rares that have already surged 100%+ due to apparent buyouts, as prices may retrace if sellers return to the market around the 30th anniversary set release. 17:00

View Source  →  YouTube

MAJOR CHANGES Revealed For Pokemon's 30th Anniversary Set!

Jul 01, 2026  ·  23m 14s

Investment Thesis

Danny Phantump breaks down the full product lineup for the Pokemon 30th Celebration specialty set, releasing across four dates from September 16 through November 6, 2026. The set features five-card booster packs with no booster box format, an MSRP of roughly $5 per pack across all products, and 16 to 17 distinct releases including two Ultra Premium Collections priced at approximately $179.99 each. He urges caution around scalper pre-orders and FOMO spending.

Datapoints

  • 30th Celebration is a specialty set with no booster box; all products are ancillary formats (Elite Trainer Boxes, booster bundles, blisters, etc.) featuring five-card packs at an MSRP of approximately $5 per pack, compared to the standard 10-card pack in main-series sets. 03:23
  • The 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box has an MSRP of $49.99 and includes nine booster packs plus one illustration rare Nidorina promo; GameStop scalpers are already listing it at $130, with the creator noting it could reach $200-$300. 01:12
  • Two Ultra Premium Collections (Espeon and Umbreon variants) are slated for November 6, 2026, each containing 29 booster packs plus a three-card classic pack subset exclusive to that product, at a rumored MSRP of $179.99. 19:15

Recommendations

BUYIf you find the 30th Celebration Ultra Premium Collection at a decent price, the creator says he would scoop it up given the difficulty of obtaining it at MSRP. 19:43
AVOIDAvoid pre-ordering 30th Celebration products at above-MSRP prices from unverified stores, as allocation numbers are not yet confirmed and many sellers are taking orders without guaranteed supply. 04:24

View Source  →  YouTube

From It Was Never A Phase Cards

NEW Pokémon TCG 30th Anniversary Products Just Revealed!

Jun 30, 2026  ·  20m 18s

Investment Thesis

The full English 30th Anniversary Pokemon TCG product line has been revealed, spanning September through November releases including ETBs, tins, booster bundles, two Espeon/Umbreon Ultra Premium Collections, and a Ditto Premium Collection. The classic collection reprint cards may be exclusive to a special pack inside the UPCs. Meanwhile, Celebrations products are hitting all-time highs across sealed and singles, with the standard ETB approaching $500 and loose packs reaching $40 and up.

Datapoints

  • Celebrations standard Elite Trainer Box has risen 150% year-over-year, from $200 to a current market price of $498, with the Pokemon Center version up 97% to $566 and a listed median of $700. Only 50 copies remain on TCGplayer. 12:59
  • Celebrations Ultra Premium Collection (containing the metal Charizard promo) has hit a new all-time high above $1,300, up 135% from $550 a year ago, with a listed median price of $1,900. 14:10
  • Celebrations loose booster packs are up 133% year-over-year, from roughly $15 to a market price of $35, with all lowest listings at $40 and up and a listed median around $46. 14:56

Recommendations

BUYCelebrations Ultra Premium Collections, as the current market price of $1,300 sits well below the listed median of $1,900 and the creator expects the gap to close toward $2,000. 14:35
BUYThe metal Pikachu promo (number 58) from Celebrations, which has flattened around $160 since May but the creator expects to resume climbing as the Charizard moves up and the 30th Anniversary approaches. 16:27

View Source  →  YouTube

New Ascended Heroes Box Coming SOON! + Pokemon Market Update

Jun 29, 2026  ·  22m 32s

Investment Thesis

The Ascended Heroes Focused Fighters Premium Collection (14 packs plus promos) is coming as a Sam's Club exclusive, likely in late July. The creator reviews current singles and sealed pricing across the set, notes graded card prices have pulled back sharply from April/May peaks, and flags that the incoming Sam's Club drop plus August Ascended Heroes tins could push singles and loose pack prices lower in the weeks ahead.

Datapoints

  • Mega Gengar SIR (number 284) from Ascended Heroes is up roughly 14% over the past month, holding at around $1,370-$1,400 raw on TCGPlayer; however, PSA 10 graded copies peaked near $4,200 in April and have since dropped to around $2,500-$2,600. 02:14
  • Ascended Heroes loose packs hit an all-time high of around $17.36 in June; the current listed median is approximately $15, with some listings as low as $14, reflecting a recent pullback. 18:08
  • The Crown Zenith Galarian Star Universe Premium Collection (a prior Sam's Club exclusive) is up 113% over the past year, rising from roughly $60-$70 to $357, offered as a historical benchmark for how large Sam's Club exclusive boxes with popular sets can perform long-term. 20:21

Recommendations

BUYAscended Heroes loose packs after the Focused Fighters Premium Collection Sam's Club drop, when the expected influx of packs to the secondary market should push prices lower. 18:36

View Source  →  YouTube

151 Hits New All Time Highs! Pokemon Market Update

Jun 28, 2026  ·  20m 33s

Investment Thesis

TJ from It Was Never A Phase Cards delivers a full 151 market update covering sealed products, English singles, and Japanese singles. Several niche sealed products including the Blooming Waters Premium Collection and Mini Tin Display hit new all-time highs, while flagship products like the Ultra Premium Collection and Booster Bundles have pulled back from their May peaks. A notable theme is the narrowing price gap between English and Japanese 151 special illustration rares.

Datapoints

  • The 151 Blooming Waters Premium Collection hit a new all-time high above $400 (current market price $401), up 221% year-over-year from $125; 95 units sold in the past month with only 73 currently listed on TCGPlayer, and the listed median sits at $425. 00:34
  • The 151 Elite Trainer Box peaked at an all-time high of $650, pulled back to $590, and has since bounced to around $607; it was $243 a year ago. The 151 Ultra Premium Collection hit an all-time high of roughly $1,260 in May and has since dropped 18% over the past month to approximately $957, though the listed median remains at $1,200. 03:00
  • Japanese 151 special illustration rares are converging with English prices: the Japanese Charizard SAR is at $392 versus the English SIR at $430; the Japanese Blastoise is at $154 versus English at $161; and the Japanese Venusaur at $130 is actually more expensive than the English copy at $125, a rare occurrence. 15:01

Recommendations

BUYThe 151 Ultra Premium Collection at its current price of roughly $957 represents an on-sale entry point relative to its $1,260 all-time high, with the listed median at $1,200 suggesting it will recover. 05:02

View Source  →  YouTube

Bigs Drop And Bigger Rises! Pokemon Market Update

Jul 04, 2026  ·  17m 55s

Investment Thesis

TJ covers a wide range of Pokemon singles in motion. The Grey Felt Hat Pikachu and Bubble Mew SV232 have both crossed the $1,000 mark with strong year-over-year gains, while Black Bolt and White Flare illustration rares are seeing coordinated buyouts due to low supply. Meanwhile, Chaos Rising illustration rares are hitting all-time lows amid heavy supply pressure.

Datapoints

  • The Grey Felt Hat Pikachu has a current market price of $1,062, up 27% over the past year from $345; PSA 10 copies have dipped from over $3,000 in May to around $2,800, and BGS 10s have come down from $12,000 to around $10,000. 00:33
  • The Bubble Mew SV232 is up 32% to a market price of $1,083, a new all-time high, versus $300 a year ago; PSA 10s peaked near $3,860 and have since pulled back to around $3,500. 02:16
  • Chaos Rising illustration rares are hitting all-time lows due to high supply: the Frogadier IR is down 75% from $38 to $9.33 with 1,350 copies listed on TCG Player, the Maractus IR fell from $13 to $3.50, the Chespin IR from $15 to $5.60, and the Crobat IR from $20 to around $4. 12:54

Recommendations

AVOIDBe cautious buying Black Bolt and White Flare illustration rares that have spiked due to obvious buyouts, as post-buyout drops are possible even if many cards have held or continued climbing in the current market. 05:39

View Source  →  YouTube

What Cards Are Running Right Now? Pokemon Market Update

Jul 03, 2026  ·  21m 11s

Investment Thesis

TJ covers a wide range of Pokemon market movers: the Rayquaza VMAX alternate art from Evolving Skies has hit new all-time highs across raw and graded formats, driven partly by the upcoming Storm Emerald Japanese set. XY Fates Collide cards are surging, Crown Zenith Galarian Gallery singles and booster bundles continue climbing, and vintage Wizards of the Coast Black Star promos are posting triple-digit year-over-year gains. He also warns against buying Pokemon Center ETBs at inflated pre-release TCGPlayer prices.

Datapoints

  • Rayquaza VMAX alternate art (Evolving Skies, #218) has reached a new all-time high of roughly $1,150 raw, up from $680 a year ago; lowest TCGPlayer listings are $1,350 to $1,700+. Only 17 copies are listed on TCGPlayer with 10 sold over the past month. PSA 10 prices jumped from $1,800 three months ago to over $3,000; BGS Black Label sold for $41,000. 00:52
  • XY Fates Collide Alakazam (#125) is up 27% over the past 3 months and 60% on the year to a new high; PSA 10 copies spiked from $1,700 six months ago to $5,300 recently, with a sub-10% gem rate (776 PSA 10s out of 7,800+ graded). The Fates Collide Umbreon ultra rare (#55) is up 100% in 3 months and 150% on the year, from $30 to around $74. 07:33
  • Crown Zenith booster bundles are up 128% on the year, from $92 to a new all-time high of $211 on TCGPlayer (lowest listed ~$250), though eBay sales are running closer to $200. Crown Zenith Galarian Gallery singles such as Zoroark VSTAR (GG43, up ~70% in 3 months, 153% on the year) and Hisuian Samurott (GG52, up ~54% in 3 months, 145% on the year) continue hitting new highs. 14:33

Recommendations

AVOIDPre-release Pokemon Center ETB prices on TCGPlayer are artificially inflated by certified hobby shops; wait until release day when all sellers can list and prices historically drop sharply. 18:24

View Source  →  YouTube

The GameStop Pokemon 30th Situation Is VERY BAD!

Jul 02, 2026  ·  20m 26s

Investment Thesis

GameStop is listing Pokemon 30th Anniversary celebration set products at extreme markups: Elite Trainer Boxes at $130 (MSRP $50), Booster Bundles at $80, and Ultra Premium Collections at $600 (MSRP $180). The creator also covers market movers including the Lugia V from Silver Tempest hitting $542, Vivid Voltage and Scarlet & Violet Base booster boxes reaching new highs, and cosmos holo promos posting triple-digit percentage gains.

Datapoints

  • GameStop is pre-selling 30th Anniversary Elite Trainer Boxes at $130 (MSRP $50), Booster Bundles at $80, and Ultra Premium Collections at $600 (MSRP $180); two UPCs would cost $1,200 plus tax. 00:36
  • Lugia V (Silver Tempest, card 186) has climbed to a current market price of $542, up from around $260 a year ago and a prior peak of $460, with 22 copies sold and 40 available over the past month. 09:22
  • Vivid Voltage booster boxes are up roughly 60% over the past year, rising from $218 to around $350, while Scarlet & Violet Base booster boxes have broken $300 again at approximately $315, up from $211 a year ago. 14:51

Recommendations

BUYVivid Voltage booster boxes around the $330 low-listing range as a sleeper sealed pick with continued upward momentum. 15:13
BUYScarlet & Violet Base booster boxes, with listings available in the $270-$280 range below the current market price of $315, as a sleeper sealed pick the creator has been vocal about. 15:27
AVOIDAvoid purchasing 30th Anniversary products from GameStop at their inflated pre-order prices; instead seek other retailers closer to MSRP. 02:10

View Source  →  YouTube

What Cards I'm Buying For July 2026 Pokemon Market Update

Jul 01, 2026  ·  24m 31s

Investment Thesis

TJ outlines his July 2026 Pokemon buying targets, covering sealed products and singles. Key focuses include First Partner Illustration Collection Series 2 at a potential bounce point, the Yveltal Heavy Hitters Collection up 115% over six months, Prismatic Evolutions Super Premium Collections aging well, and singles from Chaos Rising such as Froakie and Mega Greninja, both near all-time lows with graded prices also declining sharply.

Datapoints

  • First Partner Illustration Collection Series 2 dropped from a high of around $66 to an all-time low of $47, and is currently sitting near $49-$50; Series 1 bottomed at a similar price before running to an all-time high of $78. 03:52
  • The Yveltal Heavy Hitters Collection (containing Black Bolt and White Flare packs) is up approximately 115% over the past six months and is currently listed at $180. 13:27
  • Prismatic Evolutions Super Premium Collections peaked at $360 in April, pulled back to $270-$280, and have since risen roughly 8% to around $306-$314; ETBs are listed around $175 with a TCG Player median near $200, and the product is up approximately 60% over the past year. 14:43
  • The Froakie illustration rare from Chaos Rising hit an all-time low of $12.50 on June 26th and is around $13.50 now, with over 1,200 copies listed on TCG Player; a PSA 10 copy recently sold for $399 with only 52 copies graded and 29 achieving PSA 10. 06:52
  • The Mega Greninja from Chaos Rising (S-116) launched at $588 and has dropped to an all-time low of around $271; PSA 10 graded copies peaked near $2,600-$2,700 in May and have since fallen to around $1,200, while CGC 10s have dropped from $2,600 to as low as $1,500, barely above the raw price. 09:01

Recommendations

BUYFirst Partner Illustration Collection Series 2 at current secondary market prices near $49-$50, as it appears to be bouncing off its all-time low and may follow a similar appreciation trajectory to Series 1. 04:53
BUYYveltal Heavy Hitters Collection at current market prices around $180, as the creator believes it will continue to perform well long term given the desirability of both Black Bolt and White Flare. 13:19
BUYPrismatic Evolutions Super Premium Collections as a long-term hold, given the set is aging, rotation approaches in April 2027, and reprint likelihood decreases as the product gets older. 14:28

View Source  →  YouTube

From Top 10 Pokemon

Alt Art Pokemon Investments For 30% Off... YES PLEASE!!!

Jun 30, 2026  ·  8m 05s

Investment Thesis

[Pokemon segment] Top 10 Pokemon recaps notable Kantoshark sales from the past month, highlighting significant discounts on high-end graded singles and sealed vintage product. Key sales include a Magikarp and Wailord GX alt art PSA 10 at 30% below eBay comps, a Mew Prime PSA 10 well under current market, and a sealed EX Power Keepers booster box at $60,000, which the creator calls the best sale of the month.

Datapoints

  • Magikarp and Wailord GX (Sun and Moon Team Up) PSA 10 sold on Kantoshark for $3,800, roughly 30% below the June eBay range of $4,900 to $5,500. 01:49
  • Mew Prime (HeartGold SoulSilver Triumphant) PSA 10 sold for $14,800 on Kantoshark; the current lowest eBay buy-it-now is approximately $23,000. 05:06
  • A sealed EX Power Keepers booster box sold on Kantoshark for $60,000, containing gold star cards including gold star Jolteon and gold star Flareon. 06:14

Recommendations

BUYPoncho Pikachu PSA 10 pairs (Magikarp and Gyarados versions), which the creator explicitly calls a phenomenal investment that will age very well. 02:42

View Source  →  YouTube

Charizard Reprints DOMINATE The Market!! Auctions Of The Week!

Jul 03, 2026  ·  11m 52s

Investment Thesis

Top 10 Pokemon's weekly auction recap highlights a surge in Base Set Charizard reprint prices across Evolutions, Celebrations, Legendary Collection, and Base Set 2, alongside a new record for the Legendary Collection reverse holo Pikachu PSA 10 at $264,000. The video also covers strong sales across vintage, EX era, and modern black label cards.

Datapoints

  • The Legendary Collection reverse holo Pikachu PSA 10 sold for $264,000 this week, up from approximately $200,000 just two weeks prior. 11:38
  • The holo Charizard from XY Evolutions has a PSA 10 population of only 600 out of 52,312 graded copies, and a PSA 10 sold for $8,300 this week. 10:41
  • The Charizard GX rainbow rare from Burning Shadows, long stagnant, saw recent sales ranging from $7,200 up to $9,300, with a PSA 10 population of 834 out of 6,760 graded. 02:52

View Source  →  YouTube

Top 10 EXPENSIVE Darkrai Pokemon Cards!

Jul 02, 2026  ·  6m 55s

Investment Thesis

Top 10 Pokemon ranks the ten most expensive Darkrai cards in English, timed to the upcoming Mega Evolution Pitch Black set release. Highlights include a Black and White era Darkrai EX promo with only 9 PSA 10 copies selling for $3,499, a full art Team Plasma Darkrai promo that surged from $8,700 in late 2025 to a best-offer accepted price of $30,500, and multiple Level X cards commanding five-figure sums due to extremely low populations.

Datapoints

  • The full art Team Plasma Darkrai promo (Black Star) rose from $8,700 in late 2025 to $15,000 earlier in 2026, then was listed at $45,000 with a best offer accepted at $30,500; it has 33 PSA 10 copies. 06:18
  • The Darkrai Level X Black Star promo has sold for $25,900 as a PSA 10, with virtually all Level X cards noted as super low pop. 04:51
  • The Darkrai from Diamond and Pearl Majestic Dawn sold most recently for $6,000 with only 8 PSA 10 copies, reflecting a broader trend of very low pop and high prices for holo cards from the Diamond and Pearl and Black and White eras. 03:01

View Source  →  YouTube

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Disclaimers

This week: 24 videos across 9 channels. Browse the public archive at tcgcardinvestor.com.

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Creation of this newsletter is assisted by AI and may contain mistakes. Always verify each claim against the source video before acting on any recommendation.

This report is editorial commentary based on publicly-available content from independent creators. It does not constitute investment advice, an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any security or collectible, or a recommendation of any particular allocation. Trading-card markets are speculative, illiquid, and subject to material price swings driven by reprint cycles, grading-population changes, and shifts in collector sentiment. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Ratings (BUY / HOLD / SELL / AVOID) reflect the cited creator's view at the timestamp linked, not the publisher's view. Citation timestamps deep-link to the moment in the source video where the claim is made.

Compiled 2026-07-05 12:04  ·  TCG Card Investor  ·  Editorial digest, not investment advice