Rare Cards Worth Thousands Revealed at London Card Show

London, September 2024 – The 13th edition of the London Card Show, held in August at Sandown Park Racecourse, proved once again why it is Europe’s largest and most prestigious trading card event. Attracting over 5,000 collectors, the show featured a wealth of rare and valuable cards, some of them being a significant part of Trading Card Games (TCG) history. The highlight of the event was the unveiling and trade of three extraordinary collectibles that have left the international trading card community buzzing.

No Rarity Charizard: A Holy Grail of Pokémon

One of the most notable sales at the London Card Show was the No Rarity Japanese Base Set Charizard, a card revered by collectors worldwide. The card on sale by Global Nostalgia, a sponsor of the London Card Show was originally released as part of the very first print run of the Pokémon Trading Card Game in Japan in 1996. This card lacks the black star rarity symbol found in later editions, marking it as part of the ultra-rare "No Rarity" run. Being super special and sought after, this particular Charizard fetched an eye watering £16,500 at the show. It features iconic artwork by Mitsuhiro Arita, depicting the fiery dragon in a pose that has since become synonymous with Pokémon. The card's pristine condition and rarity has cemented its status as one of the most yearned-for Pokémon cards, symbolising the early days of the franchise and the beginning of the Pokémon card phenomenon.

24kt Gold Pikachu Card

Another showstopper by Global Nostalgia was the Pikachu 24kt Gold Card, an exquisite piece of craftsmanship that merges the world of trading cards with high-end luxury. Crafted from solid 24-karat gold, this card was part of a 2018 collaboration between The Pokémon Company and Tanaka Kikinzoku Jewelry, a prestigious Japanese jeweller. The card, which weighs approximately 11 grams, replicates the original Pikachu artwork with stunning precision and is encased in a clear acrylic block for display. Initially priced at ¥216,000 (approximately £1,200) during its limited pre-order window, the card’s value has since appreciated significantly due to its rarity and the growing demand among collectors. According to Global Nostalgia, the card is currently valued at circa £45,000. This gold Pikachu card is not just a collectible; it is a piece of Pokémon history and a testament to the enduring appeal of the franchise.

Messi-Ronaldo Dual Auto Superfractor: A Modern Masterpiece

The card that stole the limelight at the London Card Show was undoubtedly the Messi-Ronaldo Dual Auto 1/1 Superfractor, a card that embodies the pinnacle of sports card collecting. This card, part of the Topps Chrome Set, features the autographs of football legends Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, making it an incredibly rare and valuable piece. The card was won by Ryan, a company director from Bedfordshire, during a pack break on Jamie Byrom's Whatnot channel for just £27. The card, now sold for for £67,000, was consigned to Goldin for auction at the London Card Show, with the auction running from August 12th to September 3rd. The Messi-Ronaldo Superfractor is not just a card; it is a piece of modern sports history, representing two of the greatest footballers of all time. Its rarity, coupled with the dual autographs, makes it one of the most sought-after cards in the world.

The lucky winner, Ryan, a company director from Bedfordshire who also streams under the name 'rcd_cards' , recounted the moment he won the card, stating, “It was a complete shock. I had no idea it was so valuable until I started getting offers of £45k plus within 30 minutes of the reveal. It was a surreal 24 hours.” 

Speaking at the London Card Show, Art Torres, Consignment Director at Goldin, subject of a recent Netflix documentary, said: “This is the biggest Chase card from this year's Topps Chrome product. It's a 1/1; it's a Superfractor Ronaldo–Messi, you can't go wrong! One of the biggest cards in existence. I decided to make this consignment happen at the London Card Show because it’s becoming a staple here for the hobby enthusiast to attend. It's soon going to be one of those shows you can't miss.”

A One-of-a-Kind Rare Yu-Gi-Oh! Misprint

In a remarkable twist, the show was also witness to the discovery of a rare misprinted Yu-Gi-Oh! card, which has quickly become the talk of the community. The card, originating from the Elemental Energy set, was mistakenly printed with the artwork from the Master Monk card from The Lost Millennium set. Such misprints are exceedingly rare, as they occur due to errors during the printing process, making them one of a kind and highly valuable to collectors. The owner, who purchased the box containing this card for just £20, has already received offers as high as £7,000. This card’s unique status as a misprint from two different sets adds to its allure and makes it a prized possession for any serious Yu-Gi-Oh! collector.

Harry Reynolds, Founder and CEO of the London Card Show, expressed his delight at the three super rare card discoveries and the event’s success, stating, "The August show not only exceeded our expectations in terms of attendance and energy, but also in the calibre of collectables that surfaced. The excitement surrounding these cards reflects the growing passion for trading card collecting, and underscores the importance and impact of the London Card Show as a hub for collectors. We are proud to provide a platform where such iconic pieces can be celebrated and shared with the world.”

London Card Show: A Growing Legacy

While these rare cards captured the headlines, the London Card Show offered much more, including a variety of activities that catered to collectors of all ages. Held every three months, the event is a haven for fans of anime, sports, and pop culture trading cards and collectables. Its recently held 13th edition was a resounding success featuring hundreds of TCG vendors and a lively mix of trading, live events, and interactive zones, making it a must attend for collectors and fans of all ages. 

One of the highlights of the show was former England football legend David James, who held a Q&A session with the fans on the mainstage, followed by a signing and picture session with the attendees. The event also saw a special appearance by two renowned Lorcana illustrators – Kasia Brzezinska and Emily Abeydeera – who hosted workshops in the Kids Zone and engaged with the fans. 

The main stage also featured a Whatnot Live Stream, a Topps UCC 23/24 collection box break, a Pokémon Trainer Challenge, and a live session with the renowned Pokémon enthusiasts and influencers PokiChloe and PokeDean.

The ever-popular Kids Zone offered activities such as custom card creation, box breaks, arts and crafts, lessons from card artists, and dance lessons to the Pokémon theme song led by Instagrammer Daisy of @daysofdaisy. Fans also enjoyed the Trade Zone, the Live Streaming Zone powered by Whatnot, the Creator Studio, the Vlogger Zone, and the Retro Gaming Zone, which featured iconic games like Pac-Man, Street Fighter, NBA Jam, and many more. 

Founded in 2021, the London Card Show has rapidly grown into Europe’s largest trading card event, attracting thousands of enthusiasts from around the world. With each show, the community’s passion and dedication only grows stronger and the anticipation for the next event is already building, with the recent discoveries having set a new standard for the show. 

The next London Card Show will take place at Sandown Park, Racecourse, Surrey on 2nd and 3rd November.

For media inquiries or interviews with founder & CEO Harry Reynolds and COO Katie Hughes, please contact gazal@plus1comms.com. 

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Editors notes

About London Card Show

Founded in 2021, the London Card Show was set up with a singular mission: to bring card collectors of all types under one roof. What initially began as a gathering of 10 tables and 40 attendees has since blossomed into a spectacular weekend-long event, attracting over 4,000 enthusiasts from across the globe. Their journey has been ignited by the passion of fans, having recently been crowned the UK’s Card Show of the Year!

About Harry Reynolds, Founder & CEO of the London Card Show

Harry Reynolds, a natural-born entrepreneur, embarked on his journey at a young age, continually seeking innovative ways to seize opportunities and bridge market gaps. His passion for trading cards began during university, where he turned a £10 investment into an impressive £10,000 after discovering the value of cards. Harry's YouTube live streams and TikTok presence catapulted him into the UK card community, where he gained recognition for his unique trading card mystery box breaks. With unwavering determination, he pioneered the London Card Show, and saw it evolve from a small gathering to Europe's largest card event. Harry's dedication has led to global recognition, and he remains committed to fostering a welcoming and inclusive card community for enthusiasts of all backgrounds.

About Katie Hughes, Chief Operating Officer at the London Card Show

Katie Hughes, driven by a passion for creativity ignited during her school years, found her true calling in the world of marketing. After a marketing degree at university and six rewarding years within Hard Rock Cafe's marketing department, she embarked on a remarkable journey with the London Card Show. Initially unsure of what to expect from the card industry, she quickly fell in love with it. Her marketing strategy thrived on ingenuity, emphasising community engagement over traditional methods and achieving an exceptional 7% engagement rate, far surpassing industry standards. Her dedication and vision were instrumental in propelling the London Card Show to unprecedented success, doubling attendance and vendor tables within a year. Her dedication to her role, her family's support, and her commitment to the event's success have made her an indispensable asset to the London Card Show's remarkable transformation.