How Many Pikachu Illustrator Cards Exist That Could Upgrade?
If you are chasing a Pikachu Illustrator card to boost your collection, the big question is how many raw or low-grade copies might still get a top grade like PSA 10. This ultra-rare promo from a 1998 Japanese illustration contest has only 39 known to exist in total, with just a handful in perfect condition.[2][3] That leaves a small pool of potential upgrades, but collectors keep hunting them.
Pikachu Illustrator tops the list of the world’s most valuable Pokemon cards. YouTuber Logan Paul bought one PSA 10 copy for over 5 million dollars in 2022, making headlines everywhere.[2][3][4] Experts believe between 13 and 39 of these cards were ever printed as prizes for contest winners.[2] Out of those, only a few have hit gem mint status after grading. The rest sit in lower grades or ungraded, tucked away in private collections across Japan and beyond.
What makes a card an upgrade candidate? Think raw copies straight from the original winners or ones graded below PSA 9. These could pop a higher score if the centering, edges, corners, and surface look sharp under scrutiny.[3] Print flaws from back in 1998 mean not every card starts perfect, even fresh from the pack era. High demand and low supply keep raw Pikachu Illustrators scarce at auctions. Recent sales data shows almost no movement on them, unlike common promos like Pikachu 214 from the 2024 contest, which trade hands weekly for 15 to 20 dollars near mint.[1]
For upgraders, the math gets tight. With 39 total known and maybe 5 to 10 already at PSA 10 or close, that drops the upgrade pool to under 30 cards worldwide.[2] Some experts lean toward the lower end of 13 total prints, which would make upgrades even rarer.[2] Collectors watch sites like eBay and Heritage Auctions for whispers of new finds, but most stay hidden. A PSA 7 or 8 might fetch decent cash now, but sending it in could turn it into a six-figure prize if luck hits.
Upgrading one means beating the odds. Grading services like PSA check every detail harshly, and old cards wear down over time. Still, every ungraded Pikachu Illustrator out there holds upgrade potential, fueling the hunt for serious investors. Keep an eye on private sales and Japanese markets, where originals first surfaced.
