Are Pokémon Cards Beating Precious Metals During Inflation Spikes?
Many collectors wonder if Pokémon cards hold up better than gold or silver when inflation hits hard. Right now in late 2025, the answer looks like no. Graded Pokémon card prices have dropped sharply over the past six weeks, with some top speculative cards losing 28 to 33 percent of their value.[1] One card fell from around $4200 to $3000, a $1200 hit that shows how fast things can change.[1] Even a popular investor favorite stayed flat all year despite ups and downs, ending with zero gains.[1]
Precious metals like gold often shine during inflation because they act as safe stores of value. People buy them when money loses buying power, pushing prices up. Pokémon cards do not work that way. They tie more to hype, supply shortages, and collector demand. For years, empty store shelves drove resale prices sky high as resellers grabbed everything.[2] New sets sold out in seconds, making cards feel like hot investments. But that boom has cooled.
This year, cards climbed strong early on, drawing buyers who saw them as resilient.[3] Some even spiked big, like Mew ex jumping from $250 lows.[4] Yet recent drops are the biggest in a long time, especially on high-end graded ones.[1][3] A basket of key cards that cost $23,000 to buy now sits much lower.[1] Prices fell so quick it’s making folks rethink big purchases.[3]
Why the slide? Supply issues linger. The Pokémon Company prints at max capacity, but demand outpaces it. They plan new factories, but not until 2027.[2] That means shortages through 2026, keeping new cards scarce and resale wild. More supply later could ease resellers and drop prices further.[2] Unlike metals, cards chase trends. When hype fades, values tank.
Inflation spikes test real investments. Gold holds steady or rises as a hedge. Pokémon cards? They rode 2025 shortages well at first but crashed lately.[1][3] If inflation worsens, metals likely outperform. Cards suit fans who enjoy the hobby, not pure inflation plays. Track prices close on sites like ours to spot shifts. Some cards still spike weekly, but the trend warns against banking on them over gold.[4]
