Celebrity Buys, Major Theft Shake Pokémon Card Market

The Pokémon card market has seen new developments, including Simon Cowell's headline-making purchase of a rare Rayquaza VMAX Alt Art PSA 10 card at a London trading event, underscoring the hobby's mainstream appeal. Additionally, the theft of high-end cards valued at $113,000 from 1st Edition Collectibles in New Bedford has led to a police investigation and heightened vigilance in the collector community. Stories continue to emerge of individuals finding valuable childhood cards and selling them for thousands after grading. Anticipation is growing for upcoming Pokémon TCG expansions, such as the Mega Evolution set featuring Illustration Rares like Riolu. High-profile transactions, including Logan Paul's $5.27 million purchase of an Illustrator Pikachu, demonstrate the continued investment potential of rare cards. Collectors are encouraged to revisit old collections, as even cards from the early 2000s can yield substantial returns if professionally graded.