Pokémon cards are a currency now, says collector

A Pokémon card trader in a city has said the cards were a "currency now".

"People see them as an investment, a retirement fund or a way to secure their future," added Juliano Scibelli, 34, who runs Collectors Corner in Orton Southgate, Peterborough.

Scibelli's comments come as Pokémon enthusiasts prepare to celebrate the Japanese brand's 30th anniversary on Wednesday, with the release of a new range of cards.

He said he thought it would be the "busiest day" his business has had recently, with customers "expected to begin queuing outside from 05:00 BST".

However, he fears some fans might be left "heartbroken", adding: "Ninety per cent of the people are not going to get what they want. The supply cannot keep up with demand by a country mile.

"We physically cannot get enough [cards] in to sell. There's always 50 to 100 people who want that one product."

Pokémon's trading card game has grown significantly in popularity in recent years, with some rare cards selling for thousands of pounds.

Scibelli began trading cards online almost 15 years ago and recently opened a physical store, which he said attracts customers from across the UK.

He said the business was expected to be "crazy" on Wednesday, adding: "It's going to be absolutely heaving.

"[The 30th anniversary range] is something not only collectors want, but it also brings people back into the hobby, which is what we usually see with anniversary releases."

Scibelli said much of the excitement was driven by nostalgia, as the trading game has been played for the past 30 years.

"A lot of the people who got into Pokémon are now in their 30s and 40s, so it's no longer just for children," he said.

"I grew up in the 1990s and I remember it being the biggest thing.

"Now I get customers in their 70s and 80s. That wasn't the case years ago. The people collecting it are getting older in general."

The 34-year-old said he rediscovered his childhood Pokémon card collection in his mid-20s and has been adding to it ever since.

"Most of my personal collection was bought when prices were very low and its grown substantially in value. It's probably worth between £300,000 and £500,000," he said.

"People always ask why I don't sell it, but those in the community understand.

"To some people that's worth more than two houses. But a house means nothing to me and a car means nothing to me. It's simply what I enjoy."

Scibelli said turning his hobby into a business had been more difficult than he expected, in relation to sourcing stock and managing demand, but he still enjoyed working in the industry he loved.

He said he opened the shop to create a community for fans, but felt the hobby had become increasingly focused on financial value rather than collecting for enjoyment.

Earlier this year, the store had a break-in and Pokémon cards and cash worth an estimated £80,000 to £100,000 were stolen. Scibelli previously said the incident had caused him significant stress and anxiety.

He believed the growing value of collectible cards was one reason the store has become a target for thieves.

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