The ultra-rare Pikachu Illustrator Pokémon card, once owned by YouTube personality and WWE star Logan Paul, has been sold at auction for a record-breaking , , fetching $16,492,000. The winning bid came from AJ Scaramucci, son of former White House Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci, according to Goldin Auctions.
Paul originally acquired the card in Dubai in , trading a PSA 9 version of the same card, valued at $1.275 million, plus $4 million in cash, bringing his total acquisition cost to $5.275 million. This initial purchase already set a Guinness World Record for the most expensive Pokémon card sold in a private sale.
The Pikachu Illustrator card is considered the “holy grail” of Pokémon collectibles. Only 39 official copies were awarded in as prizes in an illustration contest run by CoroCoro Comic in Japan. The card sold by Paul was the only one to achieve a perfect GEM MT 10 grade from PSA, further elevating its value.
The auction, hosted by Goldin, saw bidding begin at $13.3 million. Paul had promised to hand-deliver the card to the winning bidder, but Scaramucci surprised everyone by appearing at Goldin headquarters in person to collect his purchase immediately after the auction closed. The sale broke the Guinness World Record for the most expensive Pokémon card sold at auction, marking the second time Paul and this specific card have achieved such a distinction.
The card’s journey hasn’t been confined to private collections and auction houses. Paul notably wore the card, encased in a custom diamond necklace, during his WWE debut at WrestleMania 38 in . It also made a ringside appearance at the Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua match, popularly known as Judgement Day, in , worn by Goldin CEO Ken Goldin.
The sale surpasses the previous record for the most expensive trading card ever sold, which was held by a 2007-08 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Dual Logoman Autographs card featuring Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, selling for $12.932 million in .
While Paul’s profit isn’t explicitly stated, reports suggest he will walk away with approximately $11 million after subtracting auction fees. The card’s cultural significance extends beyond the Pokémon collecting community, representing a convergence of celebrity culture, high-end collectibles, and the burgeoning market for trading cards as investment assets.
The rise in value of the Pikachu Illustrator card reflects a broader trend of increasing interest and investment in rare trading cards. What was once considered a childhood hobby has evolved into a sophisticated market attracting high-profile collectors and investors alike. The card’s unique history, combined with its rarity and condition, has cemented its status as a true icon within the collectibles world.
AJ Scaramucci’s purchase adds another layer of intrigue to the story. As the son of a prominent political figure, his involvement highlights the growing appeal of collectibles to a wider demographic, including those with significant financial resources and public profiles.
Goldin Auctions described the card as embodying the qualities of a “Holy Grail” collectible, stating that it “fits this description to a ‘t’.” The auction house’s statement underscores the card’s exceptional status and its importance within the broader collectibles industry.
The sale of the Pikachu Illustrator card is not just a story about a valuable piece of cardboard; it’s a reflection of evolving cultural values, the power of nostalgia, and the increasing financialization of hobbies. It’s a reminder that even seemingly niche interests can capture the attention – and the wallets – of a global audience.
