I always took grail as a more personal and intimate hunt for a piece of your choice. As such in my eyes there is no universal grail as something is only a grail if you deem it as such. Though I do understand what you’re getting at. I think today “grail” has become more of a buzzword for people to use when showing off expensive or rare items even if its not a card they would have in their collection.
I think trophies are moreso the answer you’re looking for. They may not be everyone’s grail card, but there is an understanding of their status and rarity that people respect.
There can be only one grail. Therefore a universal grail is impossible (because it’s a hobby and not a mythical thing) and I wouldn’t take people serious (in that matter) when they have several grail cards. Then of course the term is overused.
I think it’s okay when „the grail card“ changes from time to time. But it should always be an esthetic thing and not an investment.
Ermm, I mean I would Class a Pika Illustrator and a Snap Pikachu as Grail cards, like mentioned in my original post. So you can be somewhat of a grail collector and collect multiple, i’m not talking about the Ark of the covenant or something here.
Like mentioned, I wasn’t really including someone’s POP1 whatever whatever, It can be a personal grail and yes be subjective, but I am talking about cards that’s fall into a Category which multiple like minded collectors would agree on. Like the earlier replies mentioned a lot of grey area but there are cards that are actual universal Grails
Here is my typical experience with buyers who use the word grail. First person messages me how it’s their grail, so they can offer below market. Meanwhile it sells to someone else on eBay at the asking price. Plus 4 more copies sell at the same price.
Here’s a thought:
If it IS over-used, what’s been driving that over-use?
Hopping on the bandwagon? Keeping up with the joneses? Ego? Death of nuance?
There’s only one Holy Grail, so by definition, the term as a colloquial is incorrect anyways.
Hm… my English is not perfect and I might miss something here. But you are asking several questions and I stick to the first one. If you want a collection of grails, I don’t take this term serious. Then IMO you are talking about a top notch collection and are overusing this term. But that’s fine.
I mean you’re taking the term grail way too literal. In my opinion you can have multiple grail cards (let us not forget that what we are talking about Pokemon cards not historic folk tales).
If I own in theory an Illustrator, a Snap Poliwag and a 98 Pika trophy all in there own standing Grail cards, just because one person owns them doesn’t stop them being Grail cards?
Think we are moving way too far away from the actual discussion.
Idk man, you kinda answered your own question when you asked it. There’s not much range of opinion for what a “grail” is in this hobby/tcg that isn’t a 200- copy, scarce, vintage promos like you were saying. Not sure what other responses past that you’d expect other than subjective grails.
Pika trophies, SSBs, TMBs, TMB exegg, TMB lucky stadium, boy/girl trainers, etc.. are, without a question, as rare as it gets. But personal grails are entirely appropriate if its hard to acquire (not talking about grades), for example a Sugimori auto or some promo card that pops up every year or so.
Calling your psa 10 full art whatever a grail, is just ehhh.
