Pikachu Illustrator Card Smashes World Record with $16.5 Million Sale
MEXICO CITY, February 16, 2026 – The collectibles market reached a historic milestone today as the legendary “Pikachu Illustrator” card, previously owned by social media personality and wrestler Logan Paul, sold for a record-shattering $16,492,000 MXN (approximately $16.5 million USD). The sale, finalized early Monday morning at Goldin Auctions, officially establishes the card as the most expensive trading card ever sold, surpassing all previous records in both the Pokémon TCG and sports card categories.
The card in question is the only known example to be graded a perfect PSA Gem Mint 10. Logan Paul originally acquired the piece in 2021 through a complex trade involving a PSA 9 version of the card plus $4 million USD. The final auction price of $16,492,000 includes a 24% buyer’s premium, following a 40-day bidding period that drew international attention from high-net-worth investors and hobbyists alike.
The “Holy Grail” of Pokémon
The Pikachu Illustrator is widely considered the most prestigious item in the Pokémon Trading Card Game. Unlike standard cards found in booster packs, these were never made available for retail purchase. Instead, they were awarded as prizes to winners of three illustration contests hosted by the Japanese magazine CoroCoro Comic between 1997 and 1998.
Current estimates suggest that only 39 to 41 copies of the card were ever awarded, with only a fraction of those surfacing in the modern market. The artwork, featuring Pikachu sketching a Charmander and Mew, was created by Atsuko Nishida, the original character designer of Pikachu.
Key Facts
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Official Name | Pokémon Illustrator (CoroCoro Comic Promo) |
| Illustrator | Atsuko Nishida |
| Release Period | November 1997 – August 1998 |
| Origin | CoroCoro Comic Illustration Contest Prize |
| Estimated Population | 39–41 copies |
| Highest Graded Copy | PSA Gem Mint 10 (1 known) |
| Characters Featured | Pikachu, Charmander, Mew |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Pikachu Illustrator card so expensive?
Its value stems from extreme rarity and historical significance. It was never sold in stores and was only given to contest winners in the late 1990s. Furthermore, the Logan Paul copy is the only one in the world to receive a perfect Grade 10 from the Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA).
Who bought the card from Logan Paul?
While the auction was held publicly at Goldin Auctions, reports indicate the card was sold to a private collector, with some sources mentioning AJ Scaramucci in connection to the record-breaking deal.
How many of these cards exist?
It is generally accepted that between 39 and 41 copies were originally distributed. However, the number of authenticated copies in good condition is much lower, with only eight cards currently holding a PSA 9 grade and only one holding a PSA 10.
What was the previous record for this card?
Logan Paul previously held the Guinness World Record for the most expensive Pokémon card purchased privately at $5.275 million USD. This new auction sale at $16.492 million USD more than triples that previous valuation.