Five years ago, Logan Paul made headlines by buying a Pokémon card for a whopping $5.275 million. Fast forward to now, he sold that same card for an astonishing $16.492 million. To sweeten the deal, he included a diamond-encrusted necklace he wore at WrestleMania 38.
The card in question? The rare Pikachu Illustrator card, one of only 39 ever created for a Pokémon illustration competition back in the late ’90s. It sold at a Goldin auction, where competitive bidding lasted an intense 42 days. In a live stream, Paul joked about possibly exhausting bidders with his excitement. “Oh my gosh, this is crazy,” he exclaimed as confetti fell when the auction closed.
A Guinness World Records official confirmed that Paul didn’t just set a high price; he now owns the record for the most expensive trading card sold at auction.
Pokémon is not just a childhood favorite; it’s a major money-maker. Ken Goldin, CEO of Goldin, noted that Pokémon is the highest-grossing media franchise globally, even surpassing Disney and Star Wars. Over the last 20 years, Pokémon cards have increased in value by 3,000%, significantly outperforming the stock market. “This is the most coveted trading card in the world,” Goldin stated, referring to the Illustrator card.
He elaborated on its value, saying it’s considered “the holy grail of all Pokémon cards.” Logan’s card is almost perfect, receiving a top-graded PSA 10 from the authentication agency, making it extremely desirable.
As the auction neared its end, the price initially seemed stable at $6.882 million. However, a rush of last-minute bids shot the final price up from 97 offers. Paul has a known passion for collectibles, having invested millions in rare items, including unique digital assets known as NFTs. He recently took to Instagram to express his gratitude for owning “the greatest collectible in the world.”
Interestingly, this card is just one of 20 Illustrator cards that PSA has graded. Paul acquired this ultra-rare card by trading a PSA Grade 9 Pikachu Illustrator card worth $1.275 million and adding $4 million cash in July 2021. Of the Illustrator cards, only eight have received a PSA Grade 9. Paul’s current sale stands alone as the only card graded PSA 10, the highest rating possible.
This fascinating market for collectibles, especially in the Pokémon realm, not only showcases nostalgia but also reflects a growing trend of investing in unique items. With the right blend of rarity and condition, some trading cards have truly become treasures. As Logan Paul’s journey illustrates, this isn’t just a hobby – it’s a booming investment landscape.
