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Tobi

@tcg_cntr

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"Established in 2018 🇬🇧🇦🇹🇮🇹🌟| Over 250K transactions and counting 🛒 | Selling Everything Collectible! 🃏✨Travelling the World 🌍 47/195 Countries ✈️💙

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🐉✨GOLD STAR RAYQUAZA✨🐉

Some Pokémon cards are rare… and then there’s Gold Star Rayquaza. 🌟

One of the most iconic, sought-after and legendary cards in the entire Pokémon TCG. An absolute grail that represents everything collectors love about this hobby: rarity, nostalgia, history and the thrill of the chase.

With its incredibly tough pull rate from the amazing set EX Deoxys, stunning artwork and legendary status, this isn’t just another card. It’s a piece of Pokémon history. A card that has collectors dreaming, generations talking and the entire Pokémon community recognising its significance.

For many, this is the ultimate chase. For others, it’s the definition of a grail. Either way, pulling or owning one is a moment that will never lose its magic.

Not just a card. A legacy. A grail. A legend. 🐉💎

How many of you still have Gold Star Rayquaza at the top of your dream collection? 👀

#Pokemon #PokemonTCG #GoldStarRayquaza #Rayquaza #PokemonCards by @tcg_cntr

1953 Ely Brewery Royal Portraits #22
Queen Elizabeth II
PSA EX 5 | Population 1

Issued in 1953 to commemorate the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, this card comes from the Ely Brewery Royal Portraits series, a short-run UK promotional issue produced for a single historic moment.

These cards were never intended to be collectibles. They were distributed locally through everyday channels, handled casually, and rarely preserved. Most examples were damaged, discarded, or lost over time, which is why surviving copies in any condition are scarce.

This example is PSA graded EX 5 and is currently the only one recorded at this grade on the PSA population report. There are no higher-graded examples known, making this a true population one at its level.

While raw examples occasionally appear, they are almost always heavily worn, altered, or unsuitable for grading. PSA-certified examples from this set are exceptionally rare, and population one cards like this are almost never replaced once absorbed into serious collections.

This portrait is credited to Dorothy Wilding, the official coronation photographer to Queen Elizabeth II. Wilding was personally commissioned to produce some of the Queen’s most iconic early portraits and is regarded as one of the most important British portrait photographers of the 20th century.

Her coronation-era images were used across stamps, official publications, and royal memorabilia. However, very few survive today in original card format, and even fewer exist encapsulated and authenticated by PSA.

This piece sits beyond traditional card collecting. It belongs within British royal history, coronation-era memorabilia, and high-end graded ephemera. Once removed from the market, sourcing another example like this would be extremely difficult.

Available at @birkysexclusive ✅ by @tcg_cntr

1953 Ely Brewery Royal Portraits #15
Queen Elizabeth II
PSA EX 5 | Population 1

Issued in 1953 for the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, this card comes from the Ely Brewery Royal Portraits series, a limited UK promotional issue produced for a single historical moment.

These were not sold as collectibles. They were distributed locally, briefly, and without any expectation of long-term preservation. As a result, the vast majority were lost, damaged, or discarded over time.

This example is PSA graded EX 5 and is currently the only one recorded at this grade. There are no copies graded higher on the PSA population report.

While raw examples occasionally surface, they are almost always heavily worn, altered, or unsuitable for grading. PSA-certified examples from this set are exceptionally rare, making this a true one-of-one at its level.

This piece appeals beyond card collectors. It sits within British royal history, coronation-era memorabilia, and high-end graded ephemera. Once removed from the market, replacing it would be extremely difficult.

An additional point of significance is the photographer credit.
This portrait is by Dorothy Wilding, the official coronation photographer to Queen Elizabeth II. Wilding was personally commissioned for the Queen’s most iconic early portraits and is regarded as one of the most important British portrait photographers of the 20th century.

Her coronation-era images were used across stamps, official publications, and royal memorabilia, but very few survive today in original card format, let alone PSA certified. Collectibles bearing Wilding’s credit carry strong standalone demand within the royal memorabilia and fine photography markets.

This elevates the card beyond a simple promotional issue. It becomes a documented, graded example of a Dorothy Wilding royal portrait from Coronation Year, preserved in a format that almost never survives in collectible condition.

Serious collectors only.

Available at @birkysexclusive ✅ by @tcg_cntr

2008 Pokémon Japanese Promo
Palkia LV.X Holo
MP/DD Special Pack

Released in 2008, this Palkia LV.X originates from the Japanese MP/DD Special Pack, a limited distribution release rather than a standard booster pull. Cards from Special Packs were produced and distributed in smaller quantities compared to main-set cards.

Palkia is one of the flagship Legendary Pokémon of the Diamond & Pearl era, and its LV.X form is a standout from the mid-2000s LV.X period a defining era of Pokémon TCG design and collecting.

Due to its Special Pack origin, high-grade examples are increasingly difficult to source, particularly in PSA 10 condition.

PSA Population
PSA 10 GEM MINT — POP 191

Available at Birky’s Exclusive ✅ by @tcg_cntr

2007 Pokémon Japanese Promo
Garchomp LV.X Holo #58
Official Book Promo

Released in 2007, this Garchomp LV.X is a Japanese promotional card distributed through an official Pokémon publication rather than standard booster packs. Cards tied to official books were produced in more controlled quantities, making them less common than main-set releases.

Garchomp LV.X is one of the most recognisable and desirable LV.X cards of the Diamond & Pearl era, representing a peak period of mid-2000s Pokémon TCG design. As a fan-favourite evolution line, Garchomp remains a cornerstone character from this era.

Due to its promo-only distribution, high-grade examples are increasingly difficult to source, especially in PSA 10 condition.

PSA Population
PSA 10 GEM MINT — POP 163

Available at Birky’s Exclusive ✅ by @tcg_cntr

2009 Pokémon Japanese Shaymin LV.X Holo
Shaymin LV.X Collection Pack
PSA 10 GEM MINT

Released in 2009, this Shaymin LV.X originates from the Japanese Shaymin LV.X Collection Pack, a special promotional release rather than a standard booster set. Collection Pack cards were produced in controlled quantities and distributed differently from main-set pulls, making high-grade examples harder to source today.

Shaymin LV.X represents the later phase of the LV.X era, a period when Pokémon TCG design was transitioning toward faster gameplay and more aggressive mechanics ahead of the Black & White era. LV.X cards remain a defining feature of late Diamond & Pearl–era collecting.

Unlike heavily opened main sets, Collection Pack cards were not mass-circulated through regular retail boosters. As a result, PSA 10 examples are significantly more difficult to find compared to standard set LV.X cards.

Shaymin is a fan-favourite Mythical Pokémon, and its LV.X artwork is widely recognised among collectors of Japanese exclusives and mid-to-late 2000s releases.

PSA Population
PSA 10 GEM MINT — POP 349

A strong example of a late-era Japanese LV.X card from a limited distribution release, preserved in top condition.

Available at Birky’s Exclusive ✅ by @tcg_cntr

2006 Pokémon Japanese Space-Time Creation DP1
Empoleon LV.X Holo PSA 10 GEM MINT

Released in 2006, Space-Time Creation is the very first Diamond and Pearl era set in Japan. This release introduced LV.X Pokémon, a defining mechanic of the mid-2000s and a major evolution of the Pokémon TCG following the EX era.

Japanese Diamond and Pearl unlimited print runs are scarcer than 1st Edition. Unlimited copies were produced later, in smaller quantities, and were never heavily reprinted. As a result, high-grade unlimited examples are significantly harder to source today, especially from main sets of this era.

Empoleon LV.X was a strong evolution upgrade at release and remains one of the most recognisable LV.X cards from early Diamond and Pearl. Its relevance at the time and continued collector demand make it a standout from DP1.

PSA Population
PSA 10 GEM MINT POP 69

A true mid-2000s Japanese main-set card from a transitional period of the Pokémon TCG, long before mass grading and modern print volumes.

Available at Birky’s Exclusive ✅ by @tcg_cntr

Electivire LV.X – Japanese Unlimited
Secret of the Lakes (2007)
Population: 54

This is Electivire LV.X from the 2007 Japanese Diamond & Pearl era set Secret of the Lakes. This card comes from the original Japanese LV.X period, long before modern full arts, alt arts, or mass-printed chase cards. LV.X cards were a short-lived experimental era, and they were never produced with long-term collecting in mind.

First thing to clear up, because people still get this wrong:
In Japanese Pokémon, Unlimited does not automatically mean more common. In many DP-era Japanese releases, Unlimited print runs were smaller and distributed later, often with less care taken for preservation. That’s especially true for cards like this, which were actively played.

Electivire LV.X was a competitive card, not a binder card. Most copies were pulled, played, stacked, and worn. Add to that the LV.X silver borders, heavy holo texture, edge sensitivity, and print line issues, and you get a card that is extremely unforgiving in grading. That’s why surviving PSA 10s are limited.

The artwork captures everything that defines early DP design:
High-contrast lightning, bold character framing, aggressive motion, and a holo pattern that actually interacts with the illustration instead of sitting behind it. It’s raw, loud, and unmistakably from a different era of the TCG.

A PSA GEM MINT 10 population of 54 worldwide tells the real story here. There is nothing above it. Every single higher-grade example simply doesn’t exist.

This card matters because:
• Japanese Unlimited version
• True DP-era LV.X card
• Low surviving Gem Mint population
• Play-driven scarcity, not hype-driven
• From an era that will never be reprinted or replicated

This isn’t a beginner piece and it’s not modern hype.
If you understand Japanese DP prints and LV.X history, you already know why clean Electivire LV.X copies almost never surface in this condition.

Available via @birkysexclusive ✅ by @tcg_cntr

This is Arceus LV.X #011, Japanese Unlimited from the 2009 Arceus Deck: Grass & Fire.

First thing to clear up, because a lot of people still get this wrong:
In Japanese Pokémon, 1st Edition is not automatically rarer than Unlimited.
In many Japanese releases, 1st Edition was printed more heavily, while Unlimited runs were smaller and later, which is why Unlimited copies are often harder to find and can trade higher. This card is a good example of that.

This copy is Unlimited (no 1st Edition stamp), which is exactly why serious Japanese collectors pay attention to it.

Now the hard data, not opinions:
PSA GEM MINT 10 population: 37 copies worldwide.

LV.X cards are one of the toughest eras to grade clean. Silver borders, heavy holo texture, print lines, and edge sensitivity mean most copies fall short of Gem Mint. Deck cards make it even worse, because they were opened to be played, not preserved.

Arceus LV.X also matters historically. This was one of the earliest attempts to portray Arceus as a true god-tier Pokémon in the TCG, long before modern full arts. The design, layout, and foil belong to a short, experimental era that will never be repeated.

Low surviving Gem Mint population
Unlimited Japanese version
Deck-exclusive LV.X era card
Condition-driven collector demand

This is not a beginner piece and it’s not hype-based.
If you understand Japanese prints and LV.X history, you already know why this card doesn’t come up often.

Available at @birkysexclusive ✅ by @tcg_cntr

LAMINE YAMAL ROOKIE PAIRING 💰

Two pinnacle pieces from Topps Chrome UEFA Club Competitions the official Champions League licensed release from Topps.

⚽ Base Rookie Card – this is Yamal’s key rookie from the Chrome Club Competition set, featuring RC logos and his breakout Barça kit during his first UEFA campaign. One of the core rookie references collectors hunt for modern football chase lists.

✍️ On-Card Rookie Autograph (/50) – Topps Certified Autograph Issue, numbered 06/50. On-card, not a sticker and limited to just fifty copies worldwide. Sticker autos flood the market, but true on-card rookie autos at low numbering like this are the scarce tier every serious builder wants.

Why this pair matters:
• Topps Chrome UEFA Club Competitions is Topps’ flagship European competition release it holds stronger long-term demand than retail inserts or non-Champions League sets.
• Yamal’s age, Barca elevation, and UEFA exposure lock him into future legacy status. This isn’t a regional set, it’s pan-European licensed, meaning greater hobby traction.
• The /50 on-card auto is in the realm of early career flagship scarcity, this is where values form, especially for generational talents.

This combo tells the full rookie story:
👉 The official competitive rookie
👉 The limited on-card auto rookie

Birkys Exclusive ✅

#LamineYamal #ToppsChrome #UEFAClubCompetitions #RookieCard #CertifiedAuto by @tcg_cntr

Team Rocket’s Mewtwo ex
Destined Rivals (DRI) English
Special Illustration Rare 231/182

This card is from Destined Rivals, the English set that released 30 May 2025.
A big part of the hype around this set is the Team Rocket focus, pulling from the Japanese release The Glory of Team Rocket and bringing that whole Giovanni and Rocket crew vibe into the international set.

Illustrator: Iwamoto05
The artwork is basically a full scene: Giovanni in the foreground with Mewtwo towering behind, and those neon Rocket colours that make it instantly recognisable as a modern “villain” SIR.

Card details (for the proper nerds):
It’s a Psychic-type Pokémon ex, 280 HP with the Ability Power Saver and the attack Erasure Ball.

Quick honest collector note: this is a hard card to grade clean because it’s a full-art, high-contrast SIR where tiny print/surface stuff shows quickly.

Available at Birky’s Exclusive ✅ by @tcg_cntr