A pristine, first edition Holographic Charizard Pokémon card from 1999 is going up for auction on Friday, tokenized via Ethereum scaling network Polygon and auctioned by collectibles platform Courtyard.
Polygon Labs and Courtyard worked together to tokenize the PSA 10 certified card, safely stored in Brink’s vault, with an estimated value of $250,000. The 30-day online auction aims to demonstrate the potential of blockchain in the collectibles market, the companies said.
“This auction isn’t just about a Charizard card; it’s about showing how blockchain can revolutionize the world of collectibles,” said Marc Boiron, CEO of Polygon Labs, in a statement. “From traditional collectors to DeFi enthusiasts, we invite everyone to experience the benefits of on-chain ownership.”
The Pokémon card is auctioned. Image: Polygon Labs/courtyard
The digital platform enables the sale of physical items (such as cards) via blockchain tokens or NFTs, with features such as secure storage, high-resolution 3D models and instant global trading. Collectors have access to an immutable record of ownership and can transact without physical shipping complications. Owners who want to have the physical card on hand can have it sent to them from the vault at any time.
According to a Polygon Labs representative, the company purchased the card directly from a reputable trading card vendor. Similar cards have sold since 2020 for prices between $264,000 and nearly $400,000, according to data from Public.com.
“Tokenization is a game changer for collectibles,” Courtyard CEO Nicolas le Jeune said in a statement. “With this auction, we’re not just spotlighting an iconic card; we’re showing how Courtyard’s platform is transforming the way people collect and trade.”
Editor’s note: This article was written with the help of AI. Edited and fact-checked by Andrew Hayward.