CGC-certified Pokémon Photo Contest Promo Cards Realize Six Figures Each in July Fanatics Collect Auctions

Two CGC-certified Pokémon cards from a photo contest held in the early 2000s each realized a jaw-dropping six figures in Fanatics Collect auctions during July. The two record-breaking cards were just a few of the thousands of CGC-certified TCGs, sports cards and non-sports cards that were sold through the Fanatics Collect marketplace in July 2025.

A Chansey, Pokémon (1999) Japanese 64 Mario Stadium Best Photo Contest Unnumbered Promo graded CGC 9 realized $150,000 in a Buy Now sale on July 5. As of early August, it is now the fourth-highest selling CGC-certified card on Fanatics Collect's platform. The same card sold for $47,500 on Heritage Auction's platform in February 2024 — which means that this card more than tripled in value! 

Click images to enlarge.

Additionally, an Articuno, Pokémon (1999) Japanese 64 Mario Stadium Best Photo Contest Unnumbered Promo graded CGC 9 realized $100,000 in a Buy Now sale on July 3, becoming the seventh-highest CGC-certified card on Fanatics Collect's platform. These photo contest cards feature snapshots of Pokémon (in this case, Chansey and Articuno) that were taken in Pokémon Snap on the Nintendo 64. Contestants who snapped photos of their favorite Pokémon in the game could submit their favorite pictures for a chance to have their photo printed onto an official Pokémon TCG card. Many of these promo cards are extremely rare, which contributes to their high prices realized at auction.

Click images to enlarge.

Meanwhile, hundreds of CGC-certified sports cards were sold through Fanatics Collect in July as well, with the top highlight being a one-of-one rarity of tennis star Qinwen Zheng. A 2024 Topps Royalty Racket Knob Autograph Relics #RKA-QZ Qinwen Zheng certified CGC Authentic realized $38,400 on July 24. Currently ranked No. 6 in the world, Zheng had an impressive 2024 run, winning her first Grand Slam Final at the Australian Open and also winning the gold medal at the Summer Olympics in Paris. Arguably the best card released in her career so far, this rarity includes Zheng's autograph and the knob from the Wilson racket she used at the 2024 Miami Open.

Click images to enlarge.

Another sports highlight from July's Fanatics Collect sales was a one-of-one SuperFractor of arguably the most popular athlete of all time. A 2003-04 SP Game Used Authentic Patches Autographs #MJ-AP Michael Jordan certified CGC Authentic realized $13,800 on July 6. This rarity from Jordan's short stint with the Washington Wizards is numbered to only 50 ever made and includes a game-worn jersey patch and an on-card autograph in blue ink. Most collectibles tied to Jordan's legendary NBA career feature the six-time champion from his time with the Chicago Bulls, making high-end cards on the market from his time with Washington relatively scarce. He only played two seasons with the Wizards before retiring for good, bringing an end to arguably the most iconic career in basketball history.

Click images to enlarge.

Other recent TCGs and non-sports card sales highlights include:

• a Charizard, Pokémon Topps (2000) Chrome Series 1 - 6 Tekno Chrome graded CGC Pristine 10 that sold for $37,200 on July 24
• a Charizard, Pokémon Topsun (1997) Original Series - No. 006 Prism Holo graded CGC Perfect 10 that sold for $18,000 on July 24
• a Gengar, Pokémon (2003) Skyridge Holo graded CGC Pristine 10 that sold for $16,200 on July 23
• a Rocket's Snorlax ex, Pokémon (2004) EX Team Rocket Returns Holo graded CGC Pristine 10 that sold for $13,200 on July 27
• a Charizard, Pokémon (2002) Legendary Collection Reverse Holo graded CGC Gem Mint 10 that sold for $11,100 on July 27

Other recent sports card sales highlights include:

• a 2024 Bowman Draft Sapphire Chrome Prospect Autographs #CPA-CB Chase Burns - Padparadscha certified CGC Authentic that realized $13,200 on July 27
• a 1999-00 Fleer Ultra Millennium Men #4MM Kobe Bryant graded CGC Gem Mint 10 that realized $12,600 on July 6
• a 2020 Panini National Treasures Rookie Patch Autographs #156 Joe Burrow certified CGC Authentic that realized $12,600 on July 13
• a 2024 Topps Chrome Update MLB Debut Patch Autographs #RDPA-SF Sal Frelick certified CGC Authentic that realized $10,500 on July 13
• a 2024-25 Topps Finest UEFA CC Dual Autographs #FDA-RO Erling Haaland/Ronaldo - SuperFractor certified CGC Authentic that realized $9,300 on July 27

Notable Upcoming Fanatics Collect Sales

Fanatics Collect continues to offer CGC-certified cards in their weekly, fixed and premium auction formats. One of the sports highlights available in August is a 1986-87 Fleer #57 Michael Jordan graded CGC 8.5. For many basketball collectors, this is the holy grail of Jordan cards and arguably the most recognizable and sought-after card in modern collecting. Since the iconic card can easily bring in six figures in top condition, a CGC 8.5 like this could be more reasonable for serious collectors who don't want to break the bank.

Click images to enlarge.

Other sports cards in the upcoming August auctions include:

• a 2009-10 Topps #321 Stephen Curry certified CGC Authentic
• a 2023 Bowman's Best Shellacked Autographs #SHA-CC Corbin Carroll - Mini-Diamond Refractor certified CGC Authentic
• a 2024 Panini National Treasures WWE Dual Signatures #DL-SBH Shawn Michaels/Bret Hart graded CGC 9, with autographs graded CGC 10
• a 2024 Leaf Ultimate Sports X3 Signatures #USX-7 Dennis Rodman/Isiah Thomas/Joe Dumars - Holo Sparkles graded CGC Gem Mint 10, with autographs graded CGC 10
• a 2024 Panini Origins #144 Jayden Daniels graded CGC Gem Mint 10

Other TCG and non-sports cards in the upcoming August auctions include:

• a Traveling Chocobo, Magic: The Gathering (2025) Japanese Final Fantasy - 0551 Mythic Rare Black Ink graded CGC Pristine 10
• a Champion's Festival, Pokémon (2016) Black Star Promos - XY176 World Championships - Champion Promo graded CGC 7
• a Rayquaza ex (Delta), Pokémon (2006) EX Dragon Frontiers Holo graded CGC Pristine 10
• a Houndoom, Pokémon (2003) Skyridge Holo graded CGC Pristine 10
• a Blastoise, Pokémon (1999) Base Set 1st Edition Holo graded CGC 9

Sell Your CGC-certified Cards on Fanatics Collect!

The Fanatics Collect marketplace connects dealers and collectors through fixed-price listings, auctions and a myriad of tools and features, all in one app. Fanatics Collect has partnered with CGC to provide a streamlined pathway to grading and selling, which is accessed via an online submission process through Fanatics Collect's website and managed through the Fanatics Collect vault. For more information about Fanatics Collect, click here.

Cards sent to CGC receive priority grading and encapsulation through its third-party grading service for sports cards. Graded cards are returned to Fanatics Collect and immediately added to their Auction Builder Curation Algorithm process, which optimizes cards for sale in upcoming Fanatics Collect Weekly Sunday Auctions.

For more information about this program, go here.

Prices realized include buyer’s premium.