A rare sealed Pokémon booster set broke a world record when it sold for $198,000 on Thursday, September 10, 2020, in Heritage’s Comics & Comic Art Auction.

The Pokémon First Edition Base Set Sealed Booster Box flew well beyond its preauction estimate of $80,000 during the advance bidding before the auction’s live bidding even began. This new total more than doubles the previous record for a first edition of the 1999 Booster Packs.

“Sets like this one, especially in such extraordinary condition and sealed in shrinkwrap, have become undeniable rarities,” Jesus Garcia, Heritage’s Assistant Comics & Comic Art Operations Supervisor, said. “The previous record, of $78,000, at Heritage Auctions was set in February 2019. To see this result, more than doubling the previous mark, just shows the popularity and demand for these cards show no sign of slowing down.”

As the first Pokémon set ever made, this booster box is from a very low print and includes 396 cards in 36 booster packs, each of which contains 11 cards. Because the set is unopened, it is likely that most or all of the cards are in Gem Mint condition.

The Heritage Comics & Comic Art Auction continues through Sunday, September 13.