Bubble Mew’s $181,000 sale proves modern Pokémon cards have no ceiling
Bubble Mew remains one of the most sought-after Pokémon cards, and this sale of a BGS 10 Black Label proves it further.
Few Pokémon cards exist in the “must own” category for me, but Paldean Fates’ ‘Bubble Mew’ is one of them. Mew ex #232’s vibrant colour scheme and adorable design juxtapose my rage knowing that I could’ve got it for a fraction of the price. And now, with the Scarlet & Violet era in the rearview mirror, the price will only increase - but thankfully, not to this level very often.
A BGS 10 Black Label card represents an almost perfect card, nearly flawless in every way, so people are willing to spend big bucks when a Pokémon TCG card is entombed in one. However, this Mew ex #232 isn’t a standard BGS 10 Black Label. The card was also awarded a Mike Baker Authenticated Black Diamond designation, a distinction reserved for a tiny number of cards that meet an even stricter standard for condition and eye appeal.
You can read more information in our best grading service guide, but considering how hard it is to obtain a BGS 10 Black Label grade, it’s no surprise it got this much money. In an eBay bidding war, the card sold for $181,000 (around £134,000) to one lucky, deep-pocketed buyer. It’s also an exceptionally rare example, with the Black Diamond mark making it one of the finest cards in existence.
I’ve been pretty outspoken on my love for Bubble Mew. It was about to be the first card I ever bought on the secondary market, two years ago, but I thought it was too expensive at the time. Little did I know. However, I hope the person who has bought this card knows they have one of my favourite cards, and I’m only slightly jealous.
This is certainly one of the more expensive sales I’ve seen recently, and while you do have the high-end auctions, this is an example of the ceiling that modern chases can go. It’s understandable with vintage, although some prices can still be ridiculously high, yet cards that are still in print (or only recently ended) can still sell for massive amounts. If only I were rich.
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