Pokemon card sells for €35,000 at Alkmaar auction
A rare Pokémon card valued between 25,000 and 35,000 euros was discovered and sold at a trading card fair in the Grote Kerk in Alkmaar. The buyer, a man from Delft, purchased an unopened pack of Pokémon cards for 1,250 euros at the Global Cardshop stand, only to find inside a highly sought-after 'First Edition Dutch Charizard' from 1999.
"Finding this card has a 0.01 percent chance," said the vendor who sold the pack. The unexpected discovery drew excitement among attendees, with cheers erupting as the card was unveiled. "This is excellent for my reputation," the vendor added.
The buyer, who wished to remain anonymous, described the moment as "like seeing Rembrandt's The Night Watch." His brothers, who are dedicated Pokémon card collectors, were reportedly ecstatic about the find.
The event organizer, Michel de Haas, described the sale as a significant moment for the fair. "This is a major highlight. I'm very pleased; it's great for the fair's reputation," he said. De Haas, owner of Mox Spellen and MoxCon in Heerhugowaard, has organized board game conventions for years but this was his first trading card fair.
A total of 45 exhibitors participated in the event, buying and selling trading cards. The market for collectible cards remains strong, with visitors searching for missing pieces in their collections or hoping to make valuable trades.
"That’s the thrill of it," De Haas said. "There’s always a chance of uncovering a small or big treasure, such as a misprint. That can be one of the best discoveries you can make."
Among the exhibitors was Bonfire Grading, an Alkmaar-based company specializing in card authentication. Owners Wesley Offereins and Mary Roemers assess cards for authenticity and condition, assigning ratings that influence market value.
"The most expensive card I’ve ever evaluated? A Messi football sticker worth 200,000 euros. That was a little nerve-wracking," Offereins recalled.
Elroy Koetsier, owner of TCG Fanz & Collectibles from Tilburg, has turned Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) sales into a full-time business. "I make a decent living from it now," he said. He praised the venue, describing the Grote Kerk as a "beautiful and atmospheric" setting, far preferable to the usual gymnasiums and convention halls where similar events take place.
The fair also attracted younger collectors. Friends Luke (11) from Dirkshorn and Dean (12) from Wognum brought their Pokémon card collections, hoping to trade or sell some of their cards. Dean expressed frustration when a vendor offered only 2 euros for a card he valued at 20 euros. "That’s a scam," he said.
With an attendance of 850 visitors, De Haas was satisfied with the turnout. "Very strong for a first edition," he said. Plans are already in place to host the event again next year, in the same venue and around the same time.
