How Many Pikachu Illustrator Cards Exist Worldwide?
If you follow Pokemon card prices, the Pikachu Illustrator card tops every list as the holy grail of collecting. This special promo card from Japan in 1998 has prices that blow minds, with one selling for over 5 million dollars. But what makes it so crazy valuable? Its extreme rarity. Experts agree only about 39 of these cards were ever made.[1][4]
Back in 1998, CoroCoro magazine in Japan ran an art contest for kids. Winners got this Pikachu Illustrator card as a prize. The magazine printed just 39 copies to give out to those top artists. No more were made after that, which keeps supply super low even today.[1][4]
Not every copy is the same, though. Most have never been graded or shown to the public. The ones that pop up at auctions get checked by PSA, the big grading company. Right now, just a handful have perfect PSA 10 grades, like the one Logan Paul bought for 5.3 million in 2022. He calls it the rarest card in the world because of that top grade.[1][3][4]
Paul’s card is set for auction in early 2026, and he thinks its scarcity will push the price even higher. Other Pikachu Illustrator cards have sold for millions too, but they often have lower grades like PSA 9. Still, every known copy comes from that original batch of 39.[1][2]
Pokemon fans debate if a few more might hide in old collections, but no proof has surfaced. Sites tracking rare cards stick to the 39 number based on official promo records. That low count drives prices sky high, making even damaged versions worth thousands.[2][5]
For collectors chasing one, check recent sales on sites like Heritage Auctions. A PSA 9 went for big money recently, showing demand stays hot. If you own a mystery Pikachu Illustrator, get it graded fast, it could change your life.[1][3]
