@zorloth,Yeah, I was trying to frame it nicely regarding P9 prices. I sold a graded Beta Mox Jet in January that went for almost half of what I sold it for in a PWCC auction recently. Interestingly enough though, lots of other EDH playables have appreciated, but the high end stuff has declined. But the buyouts that happen in MTG could be what is pushing prices of Pokemon up. Haven’t really given it much thought or done any research, but I know it is something that MTG cards are susceptible to.
@jonandek,Sorry to turn your collection post into a “What’s wrong with MTG” thread. I had a slight urge to complete a Power 9 set a few years ago, late last year, I pivoted much of my MTG collection by about 70% into Pokemon and Sports cards. Mostly keeping the decks I play with some friends casually with. But I agree, if you do not play the game it can be difficult to stay attached to the cards.
The point I was making was that “value” grew in the most unlikely of spots, for me (as a set collector) in the low profile cards required to make sets. I churned large quantities of inexpensive MTG cards to put together NrMt+ players sets (4 of everything) for virtually every set except Alpha and Beta (4 sets of each was a bit too much). I completed sets for the costs of the key cards. And was often able to trade up in condition on keys because players were willing to take used cards at 70% or more of NrMt value.
If you only focus on the price of a few cards you are acting more as a speculator (or if holding long enough, an investor) than a collector. MTG is much more than a Lotus, P9 and Duals. As a collector of the artwork, there are a ton of lesser cards that I find more appealing. And yet I know more than a few MTG buyers / sellers (I don’t really know what to call them) that are so busy searching for the big name cards and that big score they have overlooked tremendous opportunities.
I was always a set collector in MtG. I also remember when the game came out and how epic certain cards were like Lord of the Pit, Gauntlet of Might, Demonic Forces, Force of Nature etc. not P9 but if you were playing with your friends and got one of those cards out in a casual game then it then it was probably game over! And MtG was nothing more than a casual game between friends when it first came out. So I’ve always valued cards like that for the memories of what they were. skilled use of a chaos orb was also lots of fun. Wheel of fortune, etc. plenty of great cards that were not P9 for the original format that were very powerful.
The only thing I disagreed with is your statement that: “as far as Magic pricing, I think the only reason it slowed in the past few years was because of how high prices had gone.” My point was that, for the vast majority of cards, the prices haven’t gone all that high (and certainly not by a factor of 20+). In almost all cases, cards cost less than 5-6x what they were a decade ago. Of course, there are exceptions, but those exceptions are relatively niche segments of the market. I’m also a set collector, and so we likely share similar collecting priorities. But the reality is that the vast majority of demand for cards is for play purposes. And the high end portion of that market is mostly just duals, P9, and Vintage/Legacy/EDH RL staples – all of which, in my view, haven’t increased all that much.
Also, you don’t happen to be DogonSiereht? I remember trading with a pretty hardcore collector (who collected the EXACT same way you do – 4x of everything except Alpha and Beta) on Deckbox.org probably ~7 years ago. If so, you traded me your Mox Emerald . I’ve also have read most of your blog (which I found from an article on you on Cardsphere), and I found it very enjoyable to read and a great source of information. If that’s not you, then I apologize for the case of mistaken identity haha.
And I apologize, jonandek, as I’ve participated in (or even started) the total derailment of your collection thread .
I have always been hammr7 and was never DogonSiereht. I was pretty under the radar as a collector, and until the last few years I was always the buyer and almost never the seller.
I spent many years on MOTL. While I rarely found things to buy on the site, I enjoyed the Wild West atmosphere of the early 2000’s. It helped that the site managers liked me as, even then, the token old guy. I was always into collecting rarities and spent a lot of time on the Magic Library site. For a time, after Ralph Herold and before Alexis Ambrunn, I was the site Admin. I might still be listed as a moderator but that is pretty much ceremonial these days.
I added the rest of the goldstars as the PSA 10 gold star set is now complete! Pictures are a few pages back.
Also, I made this video as a prelude to some videos I intend to do about my binders. I apologize for rambling so much. The binder videos will be inherently much more focused on pokemon cards and waaay less about me!
Great video @jonandek! Loved to hear your story and looking forward to the binder set videos. If you’re hoping to meet up with Pokemon collectors, you should definitely come to next year’s World Championships in London, a lot of E4 members make the trip out to wherever Worlds is each year and it’s an amazing time.
@jonandek Great video! Enjoyed hearing the collecting history. Imagine if you never sold anything. The comics. Magic cards etc. God that would be quite the stash. I enjoy learning as much as I can about the hobby as well. Looking forward to the first binder video and nice to hear you opted for the PSa binder for those. Much better then the box method. Seems like a waste if you can’t enjoy them without digging thru a box
I just listened to the whole thing and all I can say is I’m incredibly happy this hobby has gained someone like you. A savvy collector through and through. I relate with not wanting other kids to touch or play with your toys when you were younger so much. Always been a condition freak. I’ll be sure to check out the binder sets when you post them. As if what you’ve already shown off graded wasn’t impressive enough already!
Amazing collection @jonandek and loved the intro video.
As someone who has slowly been working on WOTC binder sets and never owned a PSA card, it’s nice to see the love you also share for them.
I’m working on a MUCH smaller budget and for me I get a greater sense of value from x amount of LP-NM cards for my binders vs a single PSA card.
Although I would be lying if I said i’m never tempted to dip into the world of graded cards!
Looking forward to seeing your next videos.
It’s already been said a few times, but I’m amazed at the speed you complete these collection goals, Jon! You’ve started collecting mid-January this year, which isn’t even halve a year, yet you’ve already completed the Base Set 1st edition in PSA-10 (except for Chansey), all English Gold Stars as PSA-10, most of the Japanese No Rarity Base Set as PSA-9/10, etc. So dang impressive. I know people who spend a decade, and you did it in a few months.
Then again, having the money available is of course the most important with these kind of collections now that I think about it. I also collected my entire National Index collection including all forms and shiny Pokémon in a few months time, which was mostly waiting for cards to arrive after I had bought them. I guess it’s similar for you, but with just A LOT more money involved, haha.
Either way, keep up the great work with whatever goals you have in the future. Love seeing these updates and your dedication!
Out of curiosity: apart from the No Rarity Base Set, the Chansey, and some Shining Legends Shining Pokémon you said you’d get in another thread, what are some of your next collection goals? (I wanted to add: “or will you take a short break for now”, but considering what you’ve already accomplished in less than halve a year, I don’t think there is anything stopping you any time soon, haha.)
Thanks so much. It has certainly taken a fair amount of money plus lots of time and focus. I have a detailed spreadsheet of my collection down to the last card of everything I’ve bought, what I’ve paid, etc. I can tell you it’s a far bigger number than I had planned when I set out in January!
In terms of what’s next, I really want to finish my open ends right now. Fortunately they aren’t huge ticket items but there is a lot to go. For now they are all binder cards. I need probably 25-30 reverse holos to finish my expedition set, I need to upgrade 10 or so cards from my aquapolis reverse holos and holos to get them to my standards. I am missing two (yes two!) EXs, and want upgrade a handful of the other ones I have. I have a lot of EX-series gaps in my reverse holos sets. I have completed TMTA, Deoxys, TRR, FRLG, Power Keepers, Dragon Frontiers, Hidden Legends and Legend Maker. I need a lot of cards from Ruby/Sapphire, Sandstorm, Dragon, Emerald, Crystal Guardians and Holon Phantoms. And I need some cards from Delta Species. I really don’t want to set any more collection goals until those are done. If forum members want to sell me mint reverse EX-series sets listed above or individual cards I would be so grateful!
In the meantime I am picking up some random PSA 10 cards I like of my favorite sets and artworks, and of my favorite pokemon. But you’re right I will probably set further goals after all of that is done. At some point I will have to assess just how deep I want to be invested in Pokemon which depends on a lot of factors. I did share the amount I’ve invested so far with my wife the other night at dinner and the convo went “ok”. After 15 years of marriage I’ve learned not to push her understanding too far. But we’ll see! It’s been a very fun hobby and I truly mean that.
Loved seeing your collection Jon! Great video I also learned about Ivy Pikachu I believed you called it from jungle. I had no idea about this card. I wonder if I pulled one as a kid
. I’ve also have read most of your blog (which I found from an article on you on Cardsphere), and I found it very enjoyable to read and a great source of information. If that’s not you, then I apologize for the case of mistaken identity haha.
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and nice to hear you opted for the PSa binder for those. Much better then the box method. Seems like a waste if you can’t enjoy them without digging thru a box 
