How Many Pikachu Illustrator Cards Exist With Original Packaging
The original Pikachu Illustrator card from 1998 is one of the rarest Pokemon cards ever made, with only about 39 produced in total. These were special prizes given to winners of an art contest run by the Japanese magazine CoroCoro Comic, and they were never sold in stores or packs.[1]
No exact public count exists for how many of these cards still have their original packaging today. Experts believe very few do, since the cards were handed out at events or mailed to kids, and packaging often got lost or thrown away over time.[1] Most known examples that surface at auctions are loose cards without the original wrapper or box.
Logan Paul owns the most famous one, a perfect PSA 10 grade version he bought for around 5.3 million dollars. He calls it one of a kind because it is the only Pikachu Illustrator to get that top grade, but even his does not come with confirmed original packaging mentioned in reports.[1][3][4]
Collectors chase these cards for their story: Pikachu drawn with art tools, labeled as an “Illustrator” instead of a trainer card. High-grade ones without damage fetch millions due to tiny supply and huge demand from fans.[1]
Newer promo cards like Pikachu 214 from recent illustration contests are different and common, selling for just 10 to 15 dollars in near mint condition. They nod to the original but are mass-produced and easy to find.[2]
True original Pikachu Illustrators with packaging would be a collector’s dream, likely worth even more than loose top grades. Keep an eye on auctions, as any pop up could break records. Check sites like PriceCharting for sales data on similar promos to gauge value trends.
