A rare Pikachu Illustrator Pokémon card, owned by social media personality and wrestler Logan Paul, has shattered records, selling for a staggering $16.492 million at a Goldin auction on February 16, 2026. This sale marks the highest price ever paid for a trading card, solidifying the card’s status as a coveted “Holy Grail” among collectors. The transaction, verified by Guinness World Records, underscores the booming market for collectible cards and the enduring appeal of Pokémon.
The Pikachu Illustrator card is exceptionally rare, originally distributed in 1998 as a prize for winners of an illustration contest held by CoroCoro Comic in Japan. Only 39 official copies were ever awarded, making it one of the most sought-after Pokémon cards in existence. This particular card, graded a perfect GEM MT 10 by PSA, is the only one to achieve that distinction, further elevating its value. The record-breaking sale surpasses the previous high of $12.932 million paid for a Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant dual logoman card in August 2025, as reported by Yahoo Sports.
A History of Record-Breaking Sales
Logan Paul’s journey with this particular Pikachu Illustrator card began in July 2021, when he acquired it in a private transaction in Dubai for $5.275 million – a record at the time for a Pokémon card sold privately. That initial purchase involved trading a PSA 9 version of the same card, valued at $1.275 million, plus an additional $4 million in cash. The Los Angeles Times details how Paul’s involvement with Pokémon card unboxing videos during the COVID-19 pandemic is credited with fueling the recent surge in the hobby’s popularity.
The card’s fresh owner is Solari Capital Founder AJ Scaramucci, son of former White House Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci. Scaramucci reportedly expressed an ambitious desire to acquire the card, stating, “I was looking to buy a T-Rex dinosaur fossil, I will buy the Declaration of Independence and I won’t stop there. My ambition is to win the auction,” according to reporting from the BBC.
The Card’s Unique Significance
The Pikachu Illustrator card was created by Atsuko Nishida, the original graphic artist behind the iconic Pokémon mascot. Its unique artwork depicts Pikachu holding a pen and feather, a departure from the character’s typical imagery. The card’s PSA 10 grade signifies its pristine condition, representing the highest possible standard in card collecting. USA Today notes that only 39-40 of these cards were initially produced, making each one incredibly valuable.
The card has become something of a celebrity in its own right, even appearing at high-profile events. Paul famously wore the card, encased in a custom diamond necklace, to his WWE debut at WrestleMania 38 in 2022. It also made a ringside appearance at the Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua match in 2025, often referred to as Judgement Day.
What’s Next for the Collectibles Market?
This record-breaking sale highlights the continued growth and increasing sophistication of the collectibles market. The demand for rare Pokémon cards, in particular, shows no signs of slowing down. Experts anticipate that other highly sought-after cards will likely command increasingly high prices at auction as the hobby attracts new collectors, and investors. The success of this auction will undoubtedly fuel further interest in rare trading cards and the stories behind them.
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