Rare Pokémon Blastoise card sells at auction for $500,000

There are only two cards like it known to exist, and one is missing.
There are only two cards like it known to exist, and one is missing. Photo credit: CGC Comics

An ultra-rare Pokémon Blastoise card has sold for US$360,000 (NZ$500,105) at an online auction.

Collectibles website CGC Trading Cards held a live bidding auction on YouTube last week for the holographic Blastoise card.

The 'presentation' card was commissioned in 1998 as part of a test pack to be shown at card shops "to demonstrate what an English Pokémon card would look like".

While other cards in the test pack had 'Magic: The Gathering' printed on the back, this card had a blank back.

Two rare Blastoise test print cards with different back-sides. The 'Magic: The Gathering' back card (left) and black-back card (right).
Two rare Blastoise test print cards with different back-sides. The 'Magic: The Gathering' back card (left) and black-back card (right). Photo credit: CGC Comics

There were only two of its kind ever created, but CGC believes that only one still exists.

"This is a historic moment ladies and gentlemen," the auctioneer said before reaching the final bid.

The successful bidder preferred to remain anonymous.

They almost tied the record for the highest amount paid for an English Pokémon card - a pair of Charizard cards sold for US$369,000 (NZ$512,607) each at auction late last year.