I wanted to thank you all for laying the groundwork for someone like me to jump into the hobby and learn. It has helped me learn a great deal in such a quick time. I am the stereotypical Pokémon collector. I’m a 91 kid so I had the first games and cards on the market to play with. Unfortunately, 99% of my collection is old and worn out so it’s sitting in a binder for me to look at when I’m bored. I have been back into the hobby of collecting for the last year now that I have a good paying job and some disposable income. My question to you gentlemen is if it’s a better idea for someone starting out with 10-20k to invest/collect multiple of the same PSA 10 First Edition Base Set Holo Card or to try and collect individual cards from sets such as Gold Star’s or First Edition Shining’s that are more affordable.
Welcome to the forum and welcome back to collecting!
“Investing” in Pokemon is usually kind of chuckled at here on the forums, because it’s first and foremost not a good way to make money (you will do much better in the stock market) and even making a little money here and there requires extensive knowledge of the hobby. Some people can do it but usually the money really only begins to show up after years of not trying to invest.
I’d recommend taking a good amount of time to think of what really interests you in collecting. For a lot of us it’s what was hot and new when we were kids, but many people love the exclusivity of collecting limited-release cards like trophies or illustration contest winner cards. Some like PSA graded cards, others think that PSA 10 prices are exorbitant and the cards don’t represent a significant difference from lower graded examples. Either way, it will be what you want to collect that drives you the most. Sometimes it may take purchasing a couple cards from various sets before any one set, card, or Pokemon catches your eye.
If you say you have 10-20k in disposable income (i.e. you can afford to have that money disappear) I wouldn’t worry too much about future values and just try to buy what interests you at current market value.
Welcome James. I’ll tell you what I told one of my sons, also a 1991 baby:). Collect in the order of what you love the most. Whatever brings you the best memories…first. Seeing that your from the earliest English era, you may want the base set. If so, and with your budget, I’d start with PSA 10 Unlimited. You’ll pick up the experience you’ll need if you move on to 1st Ed or shadowless. My second choice for you would be PSA 9 1st Ed Base. It’s within your budget and highly regarded.
Your budget (Around 10/20K)
With U$S13.575 i’d go for: (rough Estimates)
PSA9 1st Ed Base Set Charizard U$S5500
PSA9 1st Ed Base Set Blastoise U$S900
PSA9 1st Ed Base Set Venusaur U$S750
PSA9 1st Ed Base Set Magneton U$S300
PSA9 1st Ed Base Set Raichu U$S400
PSA9 1st Ed Base Set Alakazam U$S400
PSA9 1st Ed Base Set Nidoking U$S350
PSA9 1st Ed Base Set Hitmonchan U$S350
PSA9 1st Ed Base Set Chansey U$S450
PSA9 1st Ed Base Set Machamp U$S125
PSA9 1st Ed Base Set Clefairy U$S350
PSA9 1st Ed Base Set Zapdos U$S400
PSA9 1st Ed Base Set Gyarados U$S400
PSA9 1st Ed Base Set Mewtwo U$S450
PSA9 1st Ed Base Set Poliwrath U$S350
PSA9 1st Ed Base Set Ninetales U$S350
This totals U$S11.475 (Collecting wise and investment wise, this is awesome and safe in my opinion).
If you want to go forward and try spending the rest; your best choice would be shinings; starting with: PSA10 1st Ed Shinning Charizard U$S2100
This is my personal opinion/advice. I might be wrong, but as a collector who doesnt want a complete Base PSA9 Holo set or a shining charizard graded 10
Buy the cards you like and things that have a nostalgic value to you. Also I recommend on doing research on the cards you intend to purchase. It helps you make rational decisions.
I prob would start small and wouldn’t jump into 13k purchases. Doesn’t matter how much money you have, sounds like a bad idea. Maybe check eBay and instagram out and see what some popular cards are.
Who cares what the popular cards are? Those are other people’s choices. In fact, steer clear of the popular cards. By definition they’re always over priced. Buy solid cards with a trackable history, especially the ones you love that invokes good memories.
Like everyone said it kinda depends on what u like and or love to collect.
ste ed base PSA 9 (shadowless) is never a bad thing. 1st ed base PSA 10 (shadowless) if its in your budget range.
Or u can go after exclusive cards. Rare promo’s, trophy cards, pokemon snap cards, illustrator contest cards etc.
These are imo the most “safe investments”.
I for example love to collect reverse pokemon cards. But thats all personal preference and enjoyment.
Also welcome! 
