How do I find the value of a Pokémon card?

Step 1: Identify the rarity

The rarity symbol on the bottom of the card sets the floor. Common (black circle) and uncommon (black diamond) are bulk for most modern sets. Rare (black star) and double rare (two black stars) start to carry real value. Above that: full art (two silver stars), illustration rare or art rare (one gold star), special illustration rare (two gold stars). The closer to the top of the rarity stack, the more important condition and edition become.

Step 2: Identify the set

For Scarlet & Violet cards there is a three-letter set code printed on the card — TWM for Twilight Masquerade, SFA for Shrouded Fable, and so on. Type that code plus the card number into Cardmarket or eBay and you have comparable listings within seconds.

For older cards the set symbol on the bottom-right (or bottom-left on early WotC prints) is your only guide. There are dozens of symbols and many sellers — including me when I came back to the hobby — get stuck here. A phone-based card identifier is faster than scrolling through Bulbapedia. I built one as a hobby project for exactly that problem, which became NeoSatoshi.

Step 3: Check condition honestly

For modern cards, prices typically assume near-mint condition because that is what most people are buying and selling. So if your card is near-mint or better, the Cardmarket price plus comparable eBay listings gives you a realistic ask range. If it is played, heavily played, or damaged, expect a significant discount — sometimes 30-60% off the near-mint price.

For vintage cards condition spread is dramatic. The same card can range from $5 played to $500 mint. Look at corners, edges, surface, centering. Even a small surface scratch or one rough corner moves a vintage card down a full grade tier.

Step 4: Use the right price source

• Cardmarket Trend — Cardmarket's own algorithmic mid-price. Best general baseline in Europe. Tracks recent listings, not just sales.
• Cardmarket 30-day average — actual sold-listing average. More conservative than Trend, good for setting a "sell quickly" price.
• eBay live listings — shows what other sellers are currently asking for comparable cards. Useful for positioning your own offer before publishing.
• eBay sold listings — shows what buyers actually paid. Use this together with active listings so you do not price only against unsold offers.

Step 5: Price for the platform you are selling on

A card worth €5 on Cardmarket Trend often sells for $7-8 on eBay because the US buyer base is willing to pay more. If you sell across multiple marketplaces, set per-platform prices instead of one global price. The price differences are real and matter for your margins.