Rare Pokémon Card Sets New Record with $16.49 Million Sale
The most expensive Pokémon card ever sold has set a new record with a staggering price of $16.49 million. This sale marks a significant milestone in the trading card world, highlighting the ongoing interest in rare collectibles.
Details of the Record-Breaking Sale
The card in question is the rare Pikachu Illustrator, originally distributed through contests by CoroCoro, a manga magazine, in 1998. It features artwork by Atsuko Nishida, the original designer of Pikachu. This unique card was auctioned on February 16, 2023, by Goldin Auctions, based in New Jersey.
Rarity and Condition
A total of only 41 Pikachu Illustrator cards exist, with just 39 awarded through the initial contests and two sold by a former employee of The Pokémon Company in the early 2020s. For context, over 75 billion Pokémon cards were printed in 2025 alone, making the Pikachu Illustrator exceptionally rare.
- Only 41 Pikachu Illustrator cards produced.
- 39 awarded to contest winners in 1998.
- 2 sold by a former Pokémon Company employee.
The recently sold card holds a significant distinction as it is graded “GEM MT 10” by Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA), the highest possible condition rating. It initially went on auction on January 6, 2023, with a starting bid of $500,000.
Auction Dynamics
As the auction neared its deadline, the price surged to around $6 million. In a last-minute rush, the final winning bid reached $13.3 million, coupled with a 24% buyer’s premium paid to Goldin Auctions.
Ownership History
The card was previously owned by social media influencer Logan Paul, who acquired it in 2021. He purchased it for $4 million in cash and a PSA 9-graded Pikachu Illustrator valued at nearly $1.3 million. At the time, this purchase set the previous record for a Pokémon card sale.
During a livestream that marked the end of the auction, Paul officially handed the card over to its new owner, A.J. Scaramucci, a venture capitalist and the son of former White House press secretary Anthony Scaramucci.
Continued Popularity of Pokémon Cards
This record-setting sale underscores the sustained interest in physical Pokémon cards, highlighting their appeal as collectibles and potential investment assets. Despite challenges in maintaining a strong gaming franchise, the Pokémon brand continues to thrive in the collectibles market.
However, the scarcity of cards in retail stores has led to disputes among shoppers, particularly in the United States. Reports from August 2025 indicate that consumers aggressively purchased Happy Meals at a McDonald’s in Tokyo’s Shibuya Ward, hoping to obtain limited-edition Pokémon cards, often discarding the food to resell the cards at inflated prices online.
This scenario illustrates not only the popularity of Pokémon cards but also the lengths to which collectors will go to acquire rare items.
