A Rare Holographic Charizard Pokémon Card Tokenized and Auctioned on Ethereum Network
A pristine, first-edition Holographic Charizard Pokémon card from 1999 is set to be auctioned on Friday, tokenized via the Ethereum scaling network Polygon and auctioned by the collectibles platform Courtyard.
Polygon Labs and Courtyard have joined forces to tokenize the PSA 10-graded card, which is securely stored in a Brink’s vault and estimated to be worth $250,000. The 30-day online auction aims to showcase the potential of blockchain technology in the collectibles market, according to the companies involved.
“This auction goes beyond just a Charizard card; it’s a demonstration of how blockchain can revolutionize the world of collectibles,” stated Polygon Labs CEO Marc Boiron. “We are inviting traditional collectors and DeFi enthusiasts alike to experience the benefits of on-chain ownership.”
The Pokémon card that will be auctioned off. Image: Polygon Labs/Courtyard
The digital platform enables the sale of physical items, such as cards, through blockchain tokens or NFTs, offering features like secure storage, high-resolution 3D models, and instant global trading. Collectors can access an immutable ownership record and trade without the complications of physical shipping. Owners who prefer to have the physical card can request it to be shipped from the vault at any time.
According to a representative from Polygon Labs, the company acquired the card directly from a reputable seller in the trading card space. Similar cards have fetched prices ranging from $264,000 to nearly $400,000 since 2020, based on data from Public.com.
“Tokenization is reshaping the collectibles industry,” said Courtyard CEO Nicolas le Jeune. “Through this auction, we are not only highlighting an iconic card but also demonstrating how Courtyard’s platform is changing the way people collect and trade.”
Editor’s note: This article was written with the assistance of AI. Edited and fact-checked by Andrew Hayward.