Lucy Hughes, a 36-year-old from Sydney, has transformed her nostalgic pastime of collecting Pokémon cards into a lucrative business, earning a six-figure salary. With the resurgence of interest in Pokémon cards, Hughes has capitalized on this trend, using platforms like eBay to trade thousands of these coveted items online, surpassing the income from her full-time job.
Hughes’s journey into the world of Pokémon card trading began as a teenager when she used her first paycheck to complete her original card set from the year 2000. “Pokémon to me is my childhood,” Hughes shared with nine.com.au. “I’ve always been into Pokémon, but I think it can be a hobby where people come in and out of it. My collection means more to me than most things in this world.”
The Rise of Pokémon Card Trading
The original Pokémon card set, which includes 151 characters, has become a hot commodity in recent years. Hughes quickly realized the potential value of mint-condition, first-generation Pokémon cards, which can sell for thousands of dollars. She compares the trading of these cards to the stock market, where timing the sale is crucial.
“Pokémon cards are like trading stock,” Hughes explained. “There are apps today that track cards, providing graphs of how many of that card exist in the world that have been graded, and daily price movements. People track momentum of cards and market shifts to decide where to invest next.”
Hughes has successfully sold over 5,000 Pokémon cards to collectors worldwide. Her strategy includes hosting live-streamed auctions on eBay, a method that has significantly contributed to her annual earnings of over $100,000. Among her top sales is a Van Gogh-style Pikachu card, which she purchased for $50 and sold for $1,000.
The Art of the Auction
Hughes describes the auction process as both a transactional and entertaining experience. “There’s a transactional side to the cards, as I make six figures, but I also treat my streams as a form of entertainment and as a place for the community to be a part of something,” she said.
She is particularly interested in acquiring cards graded as a perfect 10 by a Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA), which can be valued between $20,000 and $30,000. “There are these cards called the poncho Pikachus,” Hughes noted. “I would love to own at least one.”
The Global Craze and Future Prospects
As more enthusiasts dive into Pokémon card collecting, Hughes advises fans to dust off their old collections to uncover potential treasures. “If you have cards from the 1990s or early 2000s, definitely get them out, look at eBay’s sold history, enter in the number on the card, and you can find out all the details,” she suggested.
For instance, a 2003 Machamp PSA 10 is currently selling for around $5,700, while a 1st edition Pikachu PSA 10 is listed for $13,200. In 2025, a 1999 Pokémon Charizard 1999 base set 1st edition sold for $25,800.
The Pokémon franchise is set to celebrate its 30th anniversary on February 26, an event that Hughes anticipates will spark a trading frenzy. “Pokémon always finds a way of trying to reconnect with its fans. I have no doubt they’ll come out with products that are all about nostalgia,” she said.
In celebration of this milestone, Hughes is planning another live-streamed auction on eBay on February 26, offering collectors a chance to participate in the excitement.
The information provided in this article is general in nature and does not constitute personal financial advice. It has been prepared without considering your personal objectives, financial situation, or needs. Before acting on any information, consider its appropriateness in relation to your objectives, financial situation, and needs.
