McDonald’s Pokémon card value: how to price promo cards correctly

McDonald’s Pokémon promotions create a lot of questions about value—especially for holo promos and full sealed sets from specific years. This guide shows you how to identify your exact McDonald’s card, check recent sold comps, and price both singles and sealed packs accurately.

• Check live values: Pokémon Card Price Checker
• Learn the valuation workflow: Value for Pokémon Cards
• Understand price behavior over time: Pokémon Card Price Over Time

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What affects McDonald’s Pokémon card value?

• Promotion year and region
  • 2011, 2014, 2016, 2021 (25th Anniversary), 2022–2024/5 waves, and regional releases can differ
• Variant and finish
  • Holo vs. non‑holo; confetti holo patterns in some years
• Character demand
  • Starters, Pikachu, Eeveelutions, and fan favorites hold better
• Condition and grading
  • McDonald’s stock can be thin—edges/surface easily pick up wear
  • PSA 10s can command strong but variable premiums depending on gem difficulty
• Sealed vs. singles
  • Unopened packs/complete sealed sets can carry collector premiums

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Step‑by‑step: find your McDonald’s Pokémon card value

1. Identify the exact promo

• Year and language (EN/JP); logo/stamp and confetti holo pattern (if applicable)
• Card number and Pokémon name
• Confirm if it’s from a specific anniversary set (e.g., 25th)

2. Pull verified sold comps

• Use the Price Checker and search by promo year + Pokémon
• Focus on sold prices in the last 30–90 days; ignore listings/asking prices
• Separate raw vs. graded comps

3. Grade your card’s condition (raw)

• Use NM/LP/MP/HP/DMG standards
• McDonald’s cards scratch easily; inspect surface closely

4. Adjust for variant traps

• Holo vs. non‑holo; English vs. Japanese; regional logos; anniversary stamps
• Sealed pack vs. loose card vs. complete set

5. Set a fair value range (not a single number)

• Use a realistic band to reflect variance and recent comp distribution

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Singles vs. sealed: how to price

• Singles
  • Popular Pokémon from promo years tend to have steady demand
  • Condition matters more than sellers expect (thin stock shows flaws)
• Sealed packs
  • Carry novelty and completeness premiums; verify year and authenticity
• Full sealed sets
  • Valued by completionists; premiums vary by year and character lineup

Always confirm the year, region, and authenticity—counterfeits exist for popular promo years.

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Raw vs. graded McDonald’s cards

• PSA 10 premiums
  • Can be meaningful if gem rates are low (edge/surface sensitivity)
• PSA 9 vs. raw NM
  • Premium may be modest unless the character is top‑tier or supply is thin
• Only grade when it pencils out
  • Use the PSA Grading Calculator and review PSA Analysis before submitting

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Common mistakes to avoid with McDonald’s promos

• Using listings instead of sold comps
• Mixing variants (year, region, holo pattern) when comparing prices
• Ignoring condition—surface and edges matter a lot on thin stock
• Assuming sealed = valuable regardless of year or character lineup
• Overpaying during short social spikes without checking history

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Quick checklist: value your McDonald’s Pokémon card

• Year, language, and variant confirmed (holo/non‑holo; confetti/anniversary stamp)
• Recent sold comps pulled (30–90 days)
• Condition graded (raw) or graded comps used (PSA 9/10)
• Singles vs. sealed identified correctly
• Realistic value range set; re‑check before listing

Start here: Pokémon Card Price Checker

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FAQs: McDonald’s Pokémon card value

Are McDonald’s Pokémon cards valuable?

Some are, especially popular characters, holos, or complete sealed sets from desirable promo years. Value depends on character, condition, and the specific promo wave.

Do McDonald’s holos sell for more?

Typically yes—holos (including confetti patterns) command premiums over non‑holos within the same year and character. Verify using sold comps.

Are graded McDonald’s promos worth it?

Sometimes. PSA 10 premiums can be strong if gem rate is low and demand is present. Model costs and expected premiums before grading.

How do I tell which year my McDonald’s card is from?

Check the card back/legal lines and the promo stamp or logo. Search by character + “McDonald’s” + year in the Price Checker.

Are sealed McDonald’s packs valuable?

They can be—especially from key years or for collectors completing full promo runs. Always verify authenticity and the correct wave/year.

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Next steps

• Value any McDonald’s promo: Pokémon Card Price Checker
• Learn the valuation framework: Value for Pokémon Cards
• See how prices change over time: Pokémon Card Price Over Time