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The title of the world’s most expensive Pokémon card belongs to the Pikachu Illustrator card. Right now, Logan Paul is auctioning the only PSA 10 copy in existence.
This single card has shattered records, redefined what trading cards can be worth, and become one of the most famous collectibles in the world. In this article, we break down what the Pikachu Illustrator card is, why it is so rare, how its value exploded, and why Logan Paul is inseparable from its modern history.
What Is the Pikachu Illustrator Card?
The Pikachu Illustrator card is widely regarded as the rarest and most valuable Pokémon card ever created.
Unlike most Pokémon cards, it was never sold in packs and never available in stores.
Instead, it was awarded exclusively to winners of illustration contests run by CoroCoro Comic in Japan between 1997 and 1998. Contest participants were asked to submit original Pokémon artwork, and only the best illustrators were rewarded with this card.
Several unique details make the Pikachu Illustrator card unlike anything else in the Pokémon Trading Card Game:
- It is the only Pokémon card labeled “Illustrator” instead of “Trainer”
- It is the only card ever printed with a pen symbol in the bottom right corner
- It features a double star rarity, which is extremely uncommon for Japanese promotional cards
- The artwork depicts Pikachu holding a paintbrush, directly referencing the contest it was awarded for
Even visually, this card stands completely apart from all other Pokémon cards.
How Rare Is the Pikachu Illustrator Card?
For many years, the card’s rarity was underestimated.
In 2013, when a PSA 9 Pikachu Illustrator sold for $100,000, it was widely believed that only 12 copies existed.
Later research suggested that 39 copies were officially distributed through the CoroCoro contests. That number changed again in 2019, when 2 additional copies surfaced on Japanese auction sites.
These newly discovered cards were sold by Yuichi Konno, one of the individuals involved in creating the original Pokémon Trading Card Game rules. By 2020, the total known number of Pikachu Illustrator cards increased to at least 41 copies.
Rarity alone does not determine value. Condition matters just as much. That is where professional grading comes in, especially from trusted authorities like PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator), which is widely considered the modern standard for trading card grading.
There is only one PSA 10 Pikachu Illustrator card in the world.
That single fact plays a massive role in why this card is worth millions.
Collectors who want to better understand how rarity and condition affect Pokémon card values across different eras can also explore our breakdown of modern Pokémon cards worth watching in The Best Cards to Look For in Pokémon Mega Evolution TCG:
https://www.ludex.com/blog/trading-card-university/the-best-cards-to-look-for-in-pokemon-mega-evolution-tcg/
How the Pikachu Illustrator Card Value Exploded
For years, the Pikachu Illustrator card was valuable but relatively unknown outside of hardcore collectors.
That changed quickly.
Timeline of Major Sales
- 2013: PSA 9 sells for $100,000
- 2019 to 2020: Sales jump to $200,000 to $400,000
- 2022: Logan Paul acquires the only PSA 10 copy in a private deal valued at $5,275,000
That purchase officially set the world record for the most expensive Pokémon card ever sold.
Logan Paul and the Pikachu Illustrator Card
Logan Paul did not quietly buy the card. He turned it into a cultural moment.
After acquiring the PSA 10 Pikachu Illustrator, Logan wore it around his neck at WrestleMania, encased in a custom diamond necklace. That single appearance introduced millions of people to the idea that Pokémon cards were not just childhood collectibles but legitimate high value assets.
For many outside the hobby, this was the moment Pokémon cards entered the mainstream conversation as serious collectibles.
Logan Paul’s Current Pikachu Illustrator Auction
Logan Paul has listed the PSA 10 Pikachu Illustrator card with Goldin Auctions, one of the largest collectibles auction houses in the world.
The auction package includes:
- The PSA 10 Pikachu Illustrator card
- The custom diamond necklace
- A personal hand delivery from Logan Paul to the winning bidder
As of now, the auction has already reached $5,952,000, surpassing the previous record set by Logan himself. With the auction ending on February 15, there is still time for the final price to climb even higher.
This sale may also be the last time we see the only PSA 10 Pikachu Illustrator publicly change hands for many years.
If you’d like to learn more about this card, check out our YouTube video we made covering the same topic.
Take Better Pictures of Your Pokémon Cards
When you are taking pictures of Pokémon cards, presentation matters.
Clean, consistent photos make a difference when sharing cards on social media, organizing a collection, submitting cards for evaluation, or listing singles for sale. That is where the Ludex Lightbox comes in.
The Ludex Lightbox is designed specifically for trading cards, providing even lighting, clean backgrounds, and reliable results without complicated setups. Whether you are taking pictures of a vintage Pokémon card or a modern pull, the Lightbox helps your cards look clear, accurate, and professional on camera.
If you are serious about collecting, organizing, or selling Pokémon cards, it is an easy upgrade to your setup.
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