Since its inception in the 90s, Pokemon has grown into an international phenomenon that has spawned movies, TV series a plethora of merchandise, all stemming from a humble trading card game. Pokemon is now firmly entrenched in popular culture.
Even after twenty years, the Pokemon Trading Card Game remains highly popular. There is a huge market for vintage cards that are now considered collector’s items, with single cards fetching six-figure at auction. One of the easiest and most effective ways of collecting cards is Pokemon tins. But how do these tins work? What cards am I getting? Are they chosen at random?
Pokemon tins are random. Each tin contains a variety of booster packs from the generation of cards you are collecting. Inside these booster packs are 10 randomly chosen cards as well as 1 basic energy card. Tins also come with an exclusive promo card.
What Are Pokemon Tins?
Pokemon tins are just one type of Pokemon Trading Card Game product. Each tin comes with:
- 1 foil promo card
- 4 booster backs (containing 10 training cards each and 1 basic energy card)
- 1 code card for unlocking a playable deck in the Pokémon Trading Card Game Online. (only found in later generation tins)
What attracts people to buy tins is the promo card. This card cannot be found anywhere else and can be an easy way to help build your collection.
To check the current price and availability of Pokemon Tins, click here to view the selection on Amazon.
Can You Get Rare Pokemon Cards in Tins?
Yes, with all of the cards in the tins being random, there is a possibility that you will come across a few rare cards in a tin. Then there are the promo cards themselves, which is can also be considered rare.
But remember, these cards are called rare for a reason. The chances of coming across a rare card are not that common, but it is also not out of the realm of possibility.
Are Pokemon Tins Worth Opening?
This is all down to personal preference. The first thing you have to ask yourself is why you are collecting in the first place. If it is to actually play with the cards rather than simply collect them, by all means, tear that bad boy open and see what cards are inside.
If you are more of a collector and are looking to sell your cards, there are two ways to approach opening your tins or not.
If you think the cards inside the booster packs are worth something, or you prefer to sell cards individually, they might be worth opening. There is a lucrative market for single cards. Although, keeping a tin sealed resolves the possible issue of finding no cards of value.
With Pokemon cards being graded on how well the cards are preserved, tins naturally help preserve cards. Thanks to the metal tin, the booster packs are kept in an air-tight environment. They are less exposed to the elements that may cause cards to deteriorate, including air, sun, heat, humidity, or physical touch. The better condition cards are kept in, the
more money they are potentially worth.
How Are Pokemon Cards Graded?
Pokemon cards are graded on a variety of factors. How well the card scores determines the card’s grade. The higher the grade, the better its quality, and theoretically, the more money it is worth.
Four main factors are taken into consideration when grading a Pokemon card.
- Centering: How well the card’s artwork is centered.
- Corners: The condition of the corners of the card. Are there any scuffs, abrasions, or whitening
- Edges: The condition of the card’s edges. Are there any scuffs whitening nicks, or folds
- Surface: The conditions of the surface of the card. Are there any scratches, delamination or lines, cracks, folds, or holographic bleeds
Once these factors have been evaluated, the card is assigned a grade based on the quality of the card. The grading system ranges from 1 to 10, 10 being the highest and 1 the lowest. The grading system for most grading companies is as follows
- Poor
- Fair (referred to as 1.5)
- Good
- Very good
- Very good/excellent
- Excellent
- Excellent/ near mint
- Near mint
- Near mint/ mint
- Mint
- Pristine/ gem mint
Are Pokemon Tins a Good Investment?
Again, this depends on your motivation for collecting Pokemon cards. Tins are an excellent way to get your hands-on booster packs if you want to have fun playing and trading with friends. There is the added bonus of the promo card, which, if it is a card you find particularly cool, is well worth getting.
If your goal is collecting and eventually selling the cards, there is a lot more you need to think about. Tins can be a solid investment and can quickly appreciate in value. It all comes down to how much you are willing to invest and how much time you wait.
Vintage tins made 20+ years ago are worth a lot of money and appreciate in value even a few years after your purchase. However, the initial investment can be pretty high, reaching four or even five figures. It is up to you how much you are willing to spend.
With new generation tins, it’s harder to judge. These tins are more common and still in circulation. You could hold onto these cards for years, hoping that their value will increase. But it is hard to judge whether the market for Pokemon cards will still be as strong 20 years in the future.
Final Thoughts
There you have it, a comprehensive guide to Pokemon tins. With the card selection being random, tins can be a mixed bag for those hoping to come across a rare card worth thousands of dollars.
Ultimately tins can be a solid investment for anyone, whether collecting Pokemon cards as a hobby or an investment. While other multi-packs contain more booster packs, the promo card found in tins offers something unique. It could potentially be worth money in a few years.
Bearing that in mind, like with any collectables, the market is always subject to change. The desirability of Pokemon cards is what is driving the demand for Pokemon cards as a collector’s item. Whether that desire is still there in a decade or two remains to be seen.