A thought experiment

[laneward]

Someone walks up to you and hands you a blank cheque to spend on pokemon cards. The only condition of the cheque is that you can have 3 and ONLY 3 Pokemon cards in your collection from today onwards.

If you accept the cheque, which 3 cards do you choose?

For me:
mario pikachu
1st ed base charizard
plasma freeze galaxy holo dragonite

[trevcatchem]

1st ed charizard
1997 Carddass starters
Shining tyranitar

[azulryu]

Assuming we keep them forever, never sell, and they’re cards as is (aka not signed)?

[dragon1te]

1. Neo Revelation 1st Edition Houndoom (double holo/holo bleed)

2. Neo Destiny 1st Edition Shining Mewtwo

3. Neo Revelation 1st Edition Shining Gyarados (double holo/holo bleed)

[quibble]

If I’m only getting three cards to look at and appreciate for the rest of time, they have to be pretty iconic…so it’s probably these three:

Though if it was a longer list, I’d also include:
Neo Rev Shining Gyarados
Skyridge Ho-Oh
Corocoro Birthday Pikachu
Fossil Dragonite
Silver Tempest AA Lugia

[Will]

I would never accept that check, but if I had to…

First is Yokohama Pikachu. This year was my first worlds, and first time in Japan. I have such amazing memories of the trip and people I was lucky enough to meet, this card would need to make it’s way in.

Next, to satisfy the “hard to get” aspect, would be No 3 pika. My favorite art of the 3, and great history.

Will end with Crystal Celebi. One of my favorite pokemon, and I love the crystal theme and aesthetic.

[thundermoo]

Hands down without a doubt, have considered letting my entire collection go for one many many times

Snap cards to me are the top of the food chain in my personal nostalgia for cards, as well as N64 games. They tie it all together for me

Third pick is the hardest for me. My mind goes to trophy Kangaskhan, Shining Gyarados, Rocket Case Giovanni’s Scheme but ultimately I land on 1st ed zard. Ive owned a few over the years and no matter the grade it makes you feel something when you hold one.

Those are my basic gen 1 fanboy results

[gengarbrigade]

1. didn’t think I’d ever own this since I bought the card raw by mistake on Mercari and then graded it a 10. The only 3000 being made makes you feel special.

2. my favorite Gengar art. Simple but I love the drawing of Gengar.

3. a Staff Auto from Kagemaru Himeno that I prefer to keep private.

[Charizard1020]

1st ed base charizard
Illustrator
Snap charmander

[subcat]

[pfm]

Rip up the cheque immediately

[Pkmnhawaii_collector]

I probably wouldn’t take the check either, but if I had to, I would want these 3 all in PSA 10s

The Tropical Wind from the first Tropical Mega Battle

A University Magikarp

and a Play Promo Espeon

[zyxxke]

First of all, my favourite Eevee evolution - Vaporeon by Master Masakazu Fukuda.

Secondly, who would I be if I didn’t include my boy in that list?

And for sure I must include a very expensive card here.

[decoypalmette]

A cool trophy to flex a bit lol, and to have a card of historical significance.

—

Espeon because it’s one of my favorite Pokemon, and to represent all the ex era.

—

Then just a beautiful nostalgic card to represent the WOTC era, and that reminds me of my childhood.

[c0ll3ct0r]

[ShinPorygon]

This

[trainerjack]

This choice goes insanely hard

[tcgmaine]

I don’t think I could settle for just 3 cards, but if I had to I’d try to have a mix of things I enjoy!

[Rattlesnake]

I would politely say thank you and then go home to look at my artist binder for hours, with half the cards costing me between $0.50 - $10.

[niece]

I guess in essence you are asking what are your 3 favorite Pokémon cards. There’s too many cards I would miss. Maybe I would have to just keep rotating out the 3 cards for three different cards, like monthly? Still some cards are just best together like the Scream Promos. How do you just have 3?

I agree I would have to rip up the check.