Rarity Value is a daily snapshot metric that tracks the average and median market prices for each rarity tier (such as Ultra Rare, Rare Holo, Common, Uncommon, etc.) across all Pokémon TCG cards priced above $1. The metric calculates price statistics both for individual card subtypes (Pokémon, Trainer, Energy) and aggregated across all subtypes. This enables direct comparison of how different rarity tiers are valued in the current market and reveals which rarities command premium prices.

The methodology for Rarity Value is outlined as follows:

Card Selection: All cards with market_price > $1 from the latest daily snapshot. Includes all card subtypes (Pokémon, Trainer, Energy).

Calculation Types (per rarity tier):
  • Average Price: Mean market price of all cards above $1 in that rarity
  • Median Price: Median market price (calculated using approximate quantiles)

Subtype Breakdowns: Metrics calculated for:
  • Individual subtypes (1st Edition, Unlimited, Holfoil, etc.)
  • Aggregated "All" view combining all subtypes per rarity

Data Source: TCGPlayer.

Update Frequency: Daily snapshot.

Price Threshold: Minimum $1 to focus on cards with meaningful market value.

Rarity Value enables investors and collectors to understand the market pricing structure across different rarity tiers. This metric reveals which rarities consistently command premium prices, helps evaluate whether specific rarity pulls justify box/pack opening costs, and shows price distribution patterns (average vs median indicates whether value is concentrated in chase cards or spread evenly). This information supports collection strategy decisions, helps assess the value proposition of different product types, and provides context for evaluating individual card prices relative to their rarity tier averages.

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