24
Nov
If you have ever walked down that aisle of trading cards at your local store, you probably couldn’t help but notice those eye-catching metal tins with your favourite Pokémon staring back at you. But what are these things, and is it worth picking one up? Let’s dive in and break down everything you need to know about Pokémon TCG tins.
They are essentially a starter pack and a collectible container rolled into one. A standard Pokémon box tin includes approximately four to five booster packs from recent sets. The exact number can vary depending on the tin type and when it was released, but four packs are pretty standard these days.
Promo cards typically feature the Pokémon depicted on the tin. These cards often include evolved forms or legendary Pokémon and are available as standard holo cards or special editions with unique artwork. Sometimes these promo cards are alternate art versions that you can’t get anywhere else, which is pretty cool.
Most tins also contain a code card for the Pokémon TCG Live online game, so that you can add some digital goodies to your collection, too. And of course, you get the tin itself – a sturdy metal container that’s perfect for storing your cards, dice, coins, or whatever else you want to stash in there.
One of the largest and most stuffed box tins, the Collector Chest tin, for example, contains five booster packs, foil cards featuring the Pokémon on the tin, a coin, sticker sheets, a mini portfolio binder, a notebook, and a code card.
Not all tins are created equal, of course. The most common ones you’ll see are the standard rectangular tins featuring popular Pokémon like Pikachu, Charizard, or whatever legendary Pokémon is currently starring in the latest games or movies. These usually retail for around $20-25 and are pretty straightforward.
Then you get the larger, more spherical “Poké Ball” tins that are designed to look like the actual Poké Balls from the games. These are extremely popular among collectors because they look awesome on a shelf. They typically contain a bit more, maybe five or six packs, and often include some extra goodies, like sticker sheets or a coin.
There are also seasonal tins that come out during the holidays. These tins may feature artwork that reflects winter scenes or might be in unique shapes. The spring and fall tins often match up with new set releases and feature Pokémon from those expansions.
The other notable category is the premium tins. Larger and more expensive, these tins include more booster packs (sometimes eight or more), several promo cards, and occasionally some extra items like a playmat or special dice.
Now, if you are a serious collector, you probably want to know about the rare stuff. Older tins from the early 2000s can be worth a pretty penny, especially if they’re still sealed. Tins from the 2004-2007 era featuring cards like Deoxys, Rayquaza, or the original Charizard ex are really in demand.
Edition tins released for specific events or anniversaries are also hot commodities. For example, the 25th Anniversary tins from 2021 have already become collector’s items. Japanese exclusive tins fall into a category of their own. Some of these never get to see the light of day in Western markets and can go for high prices online.
The major thing that makes a tin box valuable is whether or not it’s sealed. An opened tin, even if you’ve kept the promo card, is worth significantly less than a sealed one because there is no longer any guarantee about what’s inside it anymore.
So, why do people buy these tins? If you’re new to the game or looking for a decent value, tins are honestly not a bad deal. You’re paying a slight premium compared to buying individual booster packs, but you get the promo card and the tin itself, which you can actually use.
Collectors tend to focus on tins that include their favourite Pokémon or are part of a set they are trying to complete. Don’t expect to make money off opening them since the pack odds are the same as buying loose packs, and you aren’t guaranteed anything special inside.
If you’re investing in a Pokémon card game tin, purchase sealed tins and store them correctly: safe from moisture, away from direct sunlight. The tins can actually rust or get dinged up over time, which tanks their value.
One pro tip: tins frequently go on sale at big box retailers, especially after the holiday season. Sometimes you can get them for 20-30% off, which makes them a way better value than buying at full price.
A Pokémon TCG tin is fun, functional, and sometimes even a valuable collectible. Whether you’re cracking them open for the packs or keeping them sealed for your collection, they’re a staple of the Pokémon card-collecting experience. Just remember to enjoy the hobby first. The best tin is the one featuring your favourite Pokémon, no matter what it may be worth someday.
