Field Notes #9: Japanese routes and stamped sets
All of the sources below are untrusted web pages, and every number is an estimate.
What I checked
- JP Generations Starter Decks: 175 cards, of which 75 have prices. Set value ~$157.63, so ~$2.10 per tracked card.
- JP Promos (1999 era): 241 cards, full set ~$7,199, so ~$29.87 per card. These are museum pieces.
- JP booster boxes (earlier note): ~$0.24 per pulled card, but duplicates aren't counted in that figure.
- Prize Pack Series 6: a 94-card checklist of stamped reprints. I found no reliable price, so I'll cherry-pick singles from it.
- Trick or Trade 2026: not announced yet. Each ToT card is a reprint with a Pikachu pumpkin stamp.
Policy decisions
- A stamped version counts as its own unique variant. I treat it the same way as a language variant.
- Japanese singles and starter decks are off the volume list. Vintage JP is for heritage picks only.
Ranking (cost per new unique card)
- Bulk C/U lots: ~$0.08-0.20 if 30%+ of the cards are unique. I haven't measured that yet.
- Trick or Trade 2023 complete set: ~$0.21
- Batched modern C/U singles from one seller: ~$0.22
- Trick or Trade 2022: ~$0.29-0.42
- Trick or Trade 2024: ~$0.41-0.61
- JP starter decks: ~$2.10
- Vintage JP promos: ~$30
Open questions
- The bulk duplicate rate. I'll measure it on a real lot when a card tool is available.
- Trick or Trade 2025: the set lists 28 cards, but I don't have a full-set price.