Marketplace All-in-One Gotta catch 'em all (as an investment)
Nov 7, 2025
Monica Miller, a BBC reporter, dives into the astounding surge in Pokémon card values, revealing that some cards have skyrocketed by nearly 4,000% over the past two decades. She explores how nostalgia fuels collecting while others view these cards as alternative investments, joining the ranks of sneakers and comics. The podcast also touches on the dangers of speculative trends, likening them to the Beanie Babies craze, reminding listeners of the community aspect of collecting amidst rising prices and accessibility issues.
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Pokémon Cards' Explosive Growth
- Pokémon cards as a group rose about 3,800% from 2004 to 2025, showing dramatic long-term appreciation.
- Pete Earle links the pandemic, stimulus checks, and extra time to a speculative surge that sustained longer than expected.
Rediscovering Childhood Fun At A Card Shop
- Jared Alday discovered Montessy Comics' weekly Pokémon tournament and reconnected with his childhood hobby.
- He opened a pack, felt nostalgia, and became hooked by the fun of playing again.
Pandemic Fueled A Speculative Boom
- The pandemic created ideal conditions for collectible speculation: cash from stimulus and more free time.
- That combo produced a prolonged price run beyond what many analysts anticipated.