Valuation Guide
How do you find out what your cards are worth? In a few steps you can roughly estimate the market value of your collection, even without prior knowledge.
Looking up prices on Cardmarket
Cardmarket.com is the largest European marketplace for trading cards. The prices there are the basis for the buying valuation.
Search for the card on Cardmarket
Go to cardmarket.com, first select the correct game at the top (Yu-Gi-Oh! or Magic) and then enter the card name in the search bar.
Make sure to select the right version of the card, because many cards exist in several sets. The set number or set symbol on your card helps with this (see the card identification guide).
Filter by language, condition and seller country
On the item page, filter by your card's language, the matching condition and sellers from Germany. The cheapest price in this combination is the relevant market value.
Note: for Pokémon I also buy Japanese, Korean and Chinese cards alongside German and English. There can be significant price differences between languages, so pay attention to the correct language when filtering.
Read off the minimum price
The cheapest price from Germany in your language and condition is the Cardmarket minimum price. The buying price is calculated based on this price.
You have a German "Ash Blossom & Joyous Spring" in Near Mint. On Cardmarket you filter by "German", "Near Mint" and sellers from Germany. The cheapest offer is 8.50 €.
So the market value is 8.50 €. At a buying percentage of 70 % (cards 0.50 to 10 €), this gives a buying price of 5.95 €.
Understanding buying prices
Buying prices depend on the market value and are tiered:
| Market value of the card | Buying price |
|---|---|
| Over 150 € | 50 % of the market price |
| 10 € to 150 € | 50 to 70 % of the market price |
| 0.50 € to 10 € | 70 % of the market price |
| Under 0.50 € (bulk) | Flat rates by rarity |
The exact percentages for cards between 10 and 150 € depend on condition, language and current demand. You always receive a concrete offer before you decide.
This tiering applies to Yu-Gi-Oh! and Magic. For Pokémon, buying is at 70 % up to 50 €, and from 50 € between 50 % and 70 % depending on saleability. Cards over 500 € are not bought.
Estimating the value of a whole collection
For a whole collection you don't have to look up every single card. Here is a practical approach:
Pre-sort roughly
Try to sort the cards roughly by rarity. Cards with striking holograms, special frames or foil effects are often more valuable. The card identification guide can help with this. Unfortunately not every rare card is automatically expensive, and some common-looking cards can be surprisingly valuable.
Look up the most valuable cards
Look at the cards that appear rarest or most elaborate (Secret Rares, Ultimate Rares, Mythic Rares, special foils). Look up a few of them on Cardmarket. This gives you a good overview of the total value.
Count the bulk
Roughly count the number of remaining cards (or estimate: a stack 1 cm high is about 30 cards). Multiply by the bulk price per card.
Common misconceptions
"My card is listed on eBay for 200 €"
eBay prices rarely reflect the actual market value. Many cards are listed there at unrealistic prices without ever selling. Cardmarket shows the real market price, because cards are actually traded there regularly.
"Old cards are automatically valuable"
Age alone does not determine value. What matters is rarity, condition, playability and demand. Many old commons are still worth only a few cents today. At the same time, some newer cards can be very valuable.
"First Edition makes every card valuable"
For Yu-Gi-Oh! and Magic, First Edition is only relevant to the price for some older and more expensive cards. For the vast majority of cards, especially newer sets and cheap cards, the print "1st Edition" (or "1. Auflage") makes no practical difference to the market value.
Exception Pokémon: Here 1st Edition is price-relevant for all cards and is always taken into account. So for Pokémon, pay particular attention to the "1st Edition" symbol.
Ready to have your collection valued?
I take care of the entire valuation for you. Free and without obligation.
Send in your collection