Hughes has found a lucrative side hustle by selling thousands of sought-after cards through eBay, making more money than she does in her full-time position.

With the surge in interest among Pokémon enthusiasts, Hughes encourages fans to dig out their old cards to assess their potential worth.

Cards can be evaluated online by using a serial number or through a PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator) service.

“Many people might now regret leaving their collections behind at their parents’ homes,” she remarked.

“If you own cards from the 1990s or early 2000s, it’s time to retrieve them, check the sold listings on eBay, input the card number, and uncover all the pertinent information,” she advised.

She emphasized that you might be surprised by the hidden gems waiting in your childhood toybox.

For example, a 2003 Machamp PSA 10 is selling on eBay for around $5700.

A 1st edition Pikachu PSA 10 is listed for $13,200.

And in 2025, a 1999 Pokémon Charizard 1999 base set 1st edition sold for $25,800.

“Sometimes it can come down to luck, if you just so happen to have the card,” Hughes said.

The Japanese cartoon’s 30th anniversary is approaching on February 26 and Hughes expects there to be 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.

Hughes is hosting another live-streamed auction on eBay on February 26 to mark 30 years of Pokémon.

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