Rabat – Logan Paul has officially sold his ultra-rare Pikachu Illustrator card for a staggering $16.492 million (MAD 164.92 million), setting a new world record for the most expensive trading card ever sold at auction.
The sale took place through Goldin Auctions after a 42-day bidding period that ended in dramatic fashion on Monday.
What began at $6.882 million quickly escalated during extended bidding, with a final surge of offers pushing the price into record-breaking territory after 97 total bids.
Originally purchased five years ago for $5.275 million, the card has proven to be an extraordinary investment for Paul, generating an estimated profit of over $8 million after fees.
Reacting live on YouTube as the auction closed, Paul described the moment as “absolutely insane,” celebrating as confetti filled the screen.
Shortly after, a representative from Guinness World Records confirmed the historic achievement, cementing the sale as the highest ever for a trading card.
The Pikachu Illustrator card is widely considered the rarest and most coveted Pokémon card in existence.
Produced in the late 1990s as a prize for a Pokémon illustration contest, only 39 copies were ever created. Of those, just a handful remain in pristine condition.
Paul’s card is particularly exceptional, it is the only known copy graded PSA 10, the highest possible rating from authentication authority Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA).
This flawless condition has made it the definitive “holy grail” for Pokémon collectors worldwide.
In fact, only 20 Illustrator cards have been graded by PSA, with most receiving lower scores.
Before acquiring this perfect specimen, Paul traded a PSA 9 version of the card, valued at $1.275 million, along with $4 million in cash in 2021.
In a move that blurred the lines between collectibles and spectacle, Paul famously wore the card encased in a custom diamond-encrusted necklace during WrestleMania 38.
The same custom piece was included in the final sale, along with his promise to personally deliver it to the buyer.
Just days before the auction closed, Paul shared a farewell message on Instagram, calling the card “the greatest collectible in the world.”
The record-breaking sale underscores the growing dominance of Pokémon in the global collectibles market. Pokémon remains the highest-grossing media franchise in history, surpassing giants like Disney and Star Wars.
Over the past two decades, Pokémon cards have skyrocketed in value, outperforming traditional investments such as sports cards and even the S&P stock market by a reported 3,000%.
For collectors and investors alike, Paul’s sale is a signal that rare, culturally iconic assets continue to redefine value in the modern market.
