Logan Paul Sets New Guinness World Record with $16.5 Million Pikachu Illustrator Card Auction
In a landmark moment for trading card and Nintendo memorabilia collectors, internet personality Logan Paul has shattered records by selling his illustrious Pikachu Illustrator card for $16.5 million at Goldin Auctions.
This sale marks the most expensive trading card ever auctioned, officially recognized by the Guinness World Records, and solidifies the Pokémon Trading Card Game's place in pop culture and collectible history. The record-breaking auction concluded with entrepreneur A.J.
Scaramucci, son of venture capitalist and former White House Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci, winning the fiercely competitive bidding.
The Pikachu Illustrator card, originally produced in a limited run as a prize for winners of the 1998 CoroCoro Comic illustration contest, is regarded as the epitome of rarity among Pokémon cards.
Only a few dozen were awarded at the time, and even fewer have survived in mint condition, making this card one of the most coveted treasures in trading card circles. Logan Paul's particular Pikachu Illustrator card achieved additional notoriety due to its high-profile media appearances.
Most notably, Paul famously wore the card as part of a diamond-studded necklace during his entrance at Wrestlemania 2022, a moment that attracted worldwide attention from both Pokémon fans and general audiences.
The influencer's public display and storytelling around the card further elevated its status as a centerpiece of Pokémon history. Goldin Auctions, known for brokering high-value collectibles across the gaming and sports industries, managed the historic sale.
Rewriting Paul’s prior statements, he affirmed that the transaction represents both a high point for trading card enthusiasts and a significant milestone for Pokémon itself, underscoring the lasting popularity and value of Nintendo’s top IPs. Notably, Paul had previously explored digital arrangements for the card, attempting to offer it as a non-fungible token (NFT).
However, with the original physical card now transferred to a new owner, the future of any NFT-related initiatives connected to this Pikachu Illustrator remains unclear. Since its initial release in the late 1990s, the Pokémon Trading Card Game has built a legacy of passionate collectors, runaway eShop hits, and record-setting releases coinciding with major Nintendo Direct presentations.
As the Nintendo Switch era continues to invite a new generation of fans to the Pokémon universe, milestone auctions like this underscore the franchise's enduring cultural and economic impact worldwide. For more updates on Nintendo, Pokémon collectibles, and the latest in game industry news, stay tuned to our coverage of Nintendo Switch releases, special auctions, and future developments in the trading card space.
This sale marks the most expensive trading card ever auctioned, officially recognized by the Guinness World Records, and solidifies the Pokémon Trading Card Game's place in pop culture and collectible history. The record-breaking auction concluded with entrepreneur A.J.
Scaramucci, son of venture capitalist and former White House Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci, winning the fiercely competitive bidding.
The Pikachu Illustrator card, originally produced in a limited run as a prize for winners of the 1998 CoroCoro Comic illustration contest, is regarded as the epitome of rarity among Pokémon cards.
Only a few dozen were awarded at the time, and even fewer have survived in mint condition, making this card one of the most coveted treasures in trading card circles. Logan Paul's particular Pikachu Illustrator card achieved additional notoriety due to its high-profile media appearances.
Most notably, Paul famously wore the card as part of a diamond-studded necklace during his entrance at Wrestlemania 2022, a moment that attracted worldwide attention from both Pokémon fans and general audiences.
The influencer's public display and storytelling around the card further elevated its status as a centerpiece of Pokémon history. Goldin Auctions, known for brokering high-value collectibles across the gaming and sports industries, managed the historic sale.
Rewriting Paul’s prior statements, he affirmed that the transaction represents both a high point for trading card enthusiasts and a significant milestone for Pokémon itself, underscoring the lasting popularity and value of Nintendo’s top IPs. Notably, Paul had previously explored digital arrangements for the card, attempting to offer it as a non-fungible token (NFT).
However, with the original physical card now transferred to a new owner, the future of any NFT-related initiatives connected to this Pikachu Illustrator remains unclear. Since its initial release in the late 1990s, the Pokémon Trading Card Game has built a legacy of passionate collectors, runaway eShop hits, and record-setting releases coinciding with major Nintendo Direct presentations.
As the Nintendo Switch era continues to invite a new generation of fans to the Pokémon universe, milestone auctions like this underscore the franchise's enduring cultural and economic impact worldwide. For more updates on Nintendo, Pokémon collectibles, and the latest in game industry news, stay tuned to our coverage of Nintendo Switch releases, special auctions, and future developments in the trading card space.
