Hidden Fates is a brand new, special mini-set that’s especially tough to find in stores. Rather than being sold in traditional booster boxes, Hidden Fates booster packs only come packaged in limited products, like the Mewtwo and Mew collection boxes, the Legendary Birds elite trainer box, or a Gyrados, Raichu, Mewtwo, or Charizard tin. These products are quickly being snatched up at local game shops. Getting your hands on Hidden Fates booster packs is a challenge to begin with, and then you’ve actually got to pull the Charizard-GX, which is one of 45 different Pokemon GX cards in the set.
What makes Hidden Fates even more desired is that in addition to the standard cards in the set, it also features a “Shiny Vault” where select Pokemon cards have been reprinted in their shiny form. Charizard cards always have high value compared to others given the fiery lizard is a fan-favorite Pokemon, but when you add in the fact that this is a unique black-and-red shiny version, the card becomes exponentially more sought-after. This card is actually a reprint of the Burning Shadows Charizard-GX with new shiny artwork.
This shiny Charizard-GX card was in perfect condition, earning an almost unheard of “Black Label” rating from grading company Beckett.
Other ungraded shiny Charizard-GX cards have been selling for around $300 to $400, which is already an incredibly large sum for a modern Pokemon card, but given this one was found in pristine condition and was professionally graded, it incited a bidding war that quickly skyrocketed.
It should be noted that false bids are sometimes placed to troll sellers, meaning this auction has a chance at going unpaid, but that this particular auction had 44 bids gives it an air of authenticity. If you are the seller or winner of this auction and can help us by confirming the legitimacy of the sale, please reach out to us via email [email protected].
Typically the most expensive Pokemon cards are ones from years past that have printing defects, were only obtainable at special events, and/or were only printed in small quantities, so what ultimately makes this shiny Charizard-GX so exciting for collectors is that it’s out in the wild right now. You don’t have to have saved it from your childhood collection or won it in a prestigious tournament, you simply need to track down some Hidden Fates — and have luck on your side.
Hidden Fates also features the gorgeous “stained glass” triple Tag Team card featuring Zapdos, Articuno and Moltres.
Pokemon cards are proving to be quite the money makers as of late. Recently a collection of the entire original Pokemon Base Set went for over $100,000.
And while we’re talking about rare Pokemon merch, check out all of the exclusive items that were only available for sale at the Pokemon Center at the Pokemon World Championships 2019 that took place in August.
Joshua is Senior Features Editor at IGN. If Pokemon, Green Lantern, or Game of Thrones are frequently used words in your vocabulary, you’ll want to follow him on Twitter @JoshuaYehl and IGN.
