Series 100 shinkansen is expensive

Why is the plarail series 100 shinkansen (blue belt) so darn expensive?
On ebay it can sell for over $70 USED, yet in 2015 I got a new one for less than £15 ($20) of amazon! What made the prices skyrocket?

As usual, discontinuation. Per the Plarail/Tomica Wiki, the regular release was discontinued in 2014 and replaced by the N700 Mizuho Sakura. I’m guessing you got it just before it was taken away for good.

@TrainsRawesome, I see. Well, I sure do feel lucky to have been able to get one!