PSA 10 PreRelase Raichu or Illustrator? Yore choice

[soleosnip3rv2]

Just thought I would point out that value has two different, distinct categories; monetary and sentimental. As for where these card fit into that, here is how it goes:

Monetary - Illustrator is, and probably will always be, the most valuable Pokemon card monetary-wise. While the Prechu is very rare, it did not sell for over $20K like the Illustrator has.

Sentimental - This type of value is going to be unanimously subjective, and will be based entirely on one person's preference. Nothing more, nothing less; it's that simple. Some may prefer the Prechu because of its mystique, and others will cherish the Illustrator because of its rarity/influence on Pokemon.


As to which of these has the "most" value, that would be based on which form of value you are using. Both cards are rare, and both are pinnacles of the Pokemon trading card game in their own aspect.

 

[garyis2000]

Let's see...how many different copies of each are there?

PreRelease Raichu...............reportedly 3 to 24.

NoStage SquareCut Blastoise.............ONE

Jpn Illustrator Promo........6 plus.

LOL..l

 

[Haze]

Just thought I would point out that value has two different, distinct categories; monetary and sentimental. As for where these card fit into that, here is how it goes:

Monetary - Illustrator is, and probably will always be, the most valuable Pokemon card monetary-wise. While the Prechu is very rare, it did not sell for over $20K like the Illustrator has.

Sentimental - This type of value is going to be unanimously subjective, and will be based entirely on one person's preference. Nothing more, nothing less; it's that simple. Some may prefer the Prechu because of its mystique, and others will cherish the Illustrator because of its rarity/influence on Pokemon.


As to which of these has the "most" value, that would be based on which form of value you are using. Both cards are rare, and both are pinnacles of the Pokemon trading card game in their own aspect.

Gary is willing to pay $25k so it would sell right now for that amount if Gary is for real which I believe he is.

 

[garyis2000]

It's a whole lot of money but a legitimate version of the Raichu is worth it to me. Plus I'd even be willing to trade MAJOR stuff for it...whatever.

 

[cbd1235]

Gary is willing to pay $25k so it would sell right now for that amount if Gary is for real which I believe he is.

A sale is only a sale if it goes through Of course one would have to appear for sale first.

 

[smpratte]

I've had offers of the same amount but did not accept. It is only relevant if one sells at that price.

Sales history is in the illustrators favor. Even in live auction the Illustrator earned much more than a prechu.

 

[BJJ763]

If you read all of my post then you now know of it. A wild Back Story has appeared! making your comment invalid.

Of course i read your post. I was amazed that so many corporate giants could cast aside their differences to create cards to give to lucky children who... oh wait that makes it sound legendary.

I guess the Illustrator is legendary due to the existence of only 4 copies. It's not due to the back story, unless there's a story of how one went from a winning child into a collector's collection?

Prerelease Raichu is legendary due to it's back story which makes it the one i would prefer.

 

[cbd1235]

No need to belittle one to say that you prefer the backstory of the other. Both cards are very unique and highly revered with fascinating backstories. It is up to preference which story compels you, as a collector, the most. Some prefer the error that slipped by in low copies and was given in secrecy to members at the company and eventually trickled into the hands of some lucky collectors. Others prefer the card that was unique on so many levels which was given as a prize to young children who illustrated their way into real Pokemon card sets.

There's no need for people to throw knives at the one they don't prefer

 

[mkpokecc]

Of course i read your post. I was amazed that so many corporate giants could cast aside their differences to create cards to give to lucky children who... oh wait that makes it sound legendary.

I guess the Illustrator is legendary due to the existence of only 4 copies. It's not due to the back story, unless there's a story of how one went from a winning child into a collector's collection?

Prerelease Raichu is legendary due to it's back story which makes it the one i would prefer.

So what differences needed to be put aside exactly? :lol: ...and no the Illustrator is not " legendary" because there are four copies.....you want to know why? Because there are more than 4!! Its so sought after because:

1.) Its the only card to have "illustrator" instead of trainer
2.) Only card to bare the paint brush set logo
3.) Double Star Rarity
4.) It is a good looking card/ the illustration is adorable
5.) Its extremely rare (6-12 copies)
6.) It has never been re-printed or printed in English
7.) Its a Holographic Pikachu
8.) IT HAS PIAKCHU ON IT! ...and I have heard he is a popular character.

As for as "a story of how one went from a winning child into a collector's collection" then any card could qualify as long as it was obtained in a manner meaningful to the owner. Stories are nice but they are just that...stories.

 

[garyis2000]

So what differences needed to be put aside exactly? :lol: ...and no the Illustrator is not " legendary" because there are four copies.....you want to know why? Because there are more than 4!! Its so sought after because:

1.) Its the only card to have "illustrator" instead of trainer
2.) Only card to bare the paint brush set logo
3.) Double Star Rarity
4.) It is a good looking card/ the illustration is adorable
5.) Its extremely rare (6-12 copies)
6.) It has never been re-printed or printed in English
7.) Its a Holographic Pikachu
8.) IT HAS PIAKCHU ON IT! ...and I have heard he is a popular character.

As for as "a story of how one went from a winning child into a collector's collection" then any card could qualify as long as it was obtained in a manner meaningful to the owner. Stories are nice but they are just that...stories.

Hmmm...I was leaning towards The other side but you got me thinking this over again mk...

 

[mkpokecc]

Hmmm...I was leaning towards The other side but you got me thinking this over again mk...

Hahaha I'm not out to convince anyone. Everyone has a different definition to the term "holy grail" and everyone has different tastes. I am merely providing the facts regarding the illustrator.

Personally, I like the old Japanese promos more. That being said the Pre-release Riachu is quite the card! I would love to own one! However, the combination of rarity, consistent selling record and uniqueness of the Illustrator is why it edges ut the Riachu as the over-all "holy grail" of pokemon cards imo. Just my two cents.

 

[Haze]

The problem is the raichu has never been in a auction format like the Illustrator (even if it was on yahoo japan). No one really knows what the raichu could reach in such a format. Previous private sales don't tell true value of an item. Also, the mystique of the raichu seems more of a metaphor related to a "Holy Grail" item than an illustrator.

 

[smpratte]

It probably won't go in public auction because it is not supposed to exist. If anything, the private format benefits the raichu. It builds that mystique.

Most people don't know this, but the one that sold in Germany went for less than the 10.5k price it sold for before.

Either way, the facts are that it has never sold above 10.5k. The pikachu snap card sold for more than that price privately. The same argument could be made that since a snap prize card pikachu has not gone public it could possibly earn more. However this, as with the Raichu is ultimately speculation.

Realistically what matters is what has happened since that is all we have to go off of at this point.

 

[Haze]

The speculation and lack of info make the raichu seem more like the holy grail. Opportunities to own the illustrator has popped up more than the raichu. "Holy grail" term came from a cup that Jesus used. It has never been found. The raichu is more similar to an actual "holy grail" than the illustrator. "Holy grail" doesn't mean monetary value which you are clearly referring to. All I am saying is that the raichu seems like it fits the bill more.

 

[smpratte]

I understand where you are coming from. I think at the end of the day it comes down to preference since they are both top tier items. If anything we are all trying to legitimize our preference.

If it seems like people focus on the monetary aspect I think it is because it is not subjective. Since we all have our own preferences and values, actual sales history is cut and dry without interpretation.

 

[Haze]

Can't agree with you more. Playing a little devils advocate.

 

[Daelum]

I keep hearing about this "mystique" with the Prerelease Raichu. There is no mystique. With a little bit of research, one can find out that it was just one of hundreds of WoTC errors, of which a few were given to WoTC employees. That's it. That's all.

The only mystery behind it, at least now a days, is who still owns one/where are the rest. But this same wonder can be applied to multiple Japanese promos. As previously mentioned, the SNAP Pikachu has only private sales (I think only one, right?). Where are the rest of the SNAP Pikachus?! No one knows, yet there is no huge mystique, holy-grail craze over the card. It is simply regarded as another rare Japanese promo.

The whole fan base of the PreRai needs to be dismantled. The card is not worth that much, and it should never be! Rusty has more unique items than that, but they don't sell for $10k (although a set of those FPO cards did make him quite the profit ;D ). Honestly, the card is just hyped up. When looked at in the normal irrational sense of the Pokemon CCG, the card should only be worth max a bit under the price of the English trophy cards, as the numbers are similar.

 

[raichuforyou]

The whole fan base of the PreRai needs to be dismantled. The card is not worth that much, and it should never be! Rusty has more unique items than that, but they don't sell for $10k (although a set of those FPO cards did make him quite the profit ;D ). Honestly, the card is just hyped up. When looked at in the normal irrational sense of the Pokemon CCG, the card should only be worth max a bit under the price of the English trophy cards, as the numbers are similar.

Funny thing is, if you look in old price guides that have the PreChu it is listed for as low as $150 or something like that. Years later after never showing up on the market someone shelled out $10,000 for it. But look how many people are trying to get thier hands on a copy now! It's no wonder the value is so high. Everyone wants it because nobody can get it. Really though, try to think of a card that has sold less than the PreChu.

 

[cbd1235]

Funny thing is, if you look in old price guides that have the PreChu it is listed for as low as $150 or something like that. Years later after never showing up on the market someone shelled out $10,000 for it. But look how many people are trying to get thier hands on a copy now! It's no wonder the value is so high. Everyone wants it because nobody can get it. Really though, try to think of a card that has sold less than the PreChu.

Not trying to argue but there are dozens of cards which have sold less times many rare cards have never publically sold.

I'm with you though. The value is high because many people want one, and none are available. Simple supply and demand

 

[PokemonTrader]

[DEL]Was I the only one who thought, have sold less for like monetary value?[/DEL]

Supply and demand always trumps old value guides I'm afraid!