Photo: IDA MARIE ODGAARD / AFP
Trading cards like PokΓ©mon have become serious business, straddling the worlds of gaming and high-value investment.
Originally created in 1996 for competitive play and on sale for approximately a dollar per card, the most expensive card has since sold for a staggering US$5,275,000 (NZ$8.7m).
And soaring collectible value has turned the cards into targets for theft and fraud.
Liam O'Neil, managing director of Hobby Lords, said they had to beef up security to protect staff after one worker was recently stabbed in a robbery.
"Each of our stores in this industry has more money (stock value) than jewellery stores.
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