Logan Paul’s Rare Pikachu Illustrator Card Sells for Record $16.5 Million
LOS ANGELES, Calif. — A rare Pokémon card once owned by internet personality turned WWE wrestler Logan Paul has sold at auction for a staggering $16,492,000, setting new records for both Pokémon and trading card sales. The card, known as the Pikachu Illustrator, is one of only 39 ever produced as prizes for a 1998 illustration contest and is the only one to receive a perfect grade of 10 from the Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA).
Logan Paul purchased the card in 2021 for $5,275,000, making headlines for acquiring what was then the most expensive Pokémon card in the world. He famously showcased the card by wearing it around his neck during his WWE WrestleMania debut in 2022, blending his passions for collectibles and professional wrestling.
The auction was conducted by the online auction house Goldin, which confirmed the final sale price of $16,492,000. The buyer, identified as AJ Scaramucci, now holds the record for the highest price ever paid for a Pokémon card and the most expensive trading card sold at auction. A Guinness World Records adjudicator was present to verify these historic milestones.
The Pikachu Illustrator card was designed by Atsuko Nishida, the original graphic artist behind Pikachu, the franchise’s iconic mascot. Its rarity and pristine condition have made it the holy grail for collectors worldwide. The card’s provenance, including its association with Logan Paul, has only amplified its allure.
This sale highlights the booming market for collectible cards, which has seen a surge in both interest and value over recent years. The Pokémon franchise, launched in the late 1990s, has grown into a cultural phenomenon spanning video games, television, movies, and merchandise, fueling demand for rare memorabilia.
Experts suggest that the record-breaking auction underscores the growing legitimacy of collectibles as alternative investments. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has recently taken note of the expanding market, emphasizing the importance of transparency and regulation in trading high-value assets.
Logan Paul’s role in popularizing the card cannot be understated. His crossover appeal from social media influencer to professional wrestler has brought a new audience to the collectibles scene. The auction’s success may inspire other celebrities to leverage their unique assets in similar ways.
For more information on collectibles and trading card authentication, the FBI’s Art Theft Program provides resources on protecting valuable items from fraud and theft.
As the Pikachu Illustrator card passes into new hands, it cements its place in the annals of pop culture and collectible history, symbolizing the intersection of nostalgia, fandom, and investment in the 21st century.
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