Scan Pokémon Cards

Scanning a Pokémon card

Photograph the card straight on, filling the frame, and the scanner reads the name and artwork to identify it and estimate a value band. The Kardexy app goes further: it resolves the exact set and card number, then pulls the live TCGplayer and Cardmarket price for that printing in your card's condition.

Reading a Pokémon card yourself

If you want to identify a card by hand, three markings do most of the work:

• The set symbol, bottom-right of the artwork on most eras, tells you which expansion it came from.
• The card number (like 4/102) sits beside it — the first figure is the card, the second the set size.
• The 1st Edition stamp, a small badge to the left of the art on early sets, is the single most valuable marking in the hobby.

Cards without a set symbol are generally from the earliest Base Set printings, which is itself a strong signal worth checking properly.

The Pokémon cards that carry value

Value concentrates in a few places: Base Set holos (especially Charizard, Blastoise, and Venusaur), anything 1st Edition or Shadowless, modern alternate arts and full arts, gold secret rares, and promos tied to events. Trainer cards and low-number commons are usually bulk regardless of age.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a free app to scan Pokémon cards and see their value?

Yes — Kardexy scans Pokémon cards and shows live market prices, free to start on iOS and Android. You can also scan straight from this page without installing anything.

Can it scan the whole Pokémon catalog?

The app carries the complete Pokémon TCG catalog, from the earliest sets to current releases, searchable by set and by illustrator.

How do I know if my Pokémon card is 1st Edition?

Look for a small "1st Edition" stamp to the left of the artwork, below the Pokémon’s image. Only early sets carry it, and it raises a card’s value substantially over the Unlimited printing.

Why does my card scan to a different price than I expected?

Almost always because of the printing. Reprints share art and name with valuable originals but trade for a fraction. The app identifies the exact set and number so the price matches the card in your hand.