Have you ever wondered just how many Pikachu Illustrator cards, the holy grail of Pokemon collecting, have actually been bought and sold since 2020? This ultra-rare card from a 1998 Japanese illustration contest prize is one of the toughest to track, with only about 39 known to exist in total.[2][4] But when it comes to ones that have changed hands in recent years, the number is tiny because owners treat them like priceless treasures.
Pikachu Illustrator cards are not your everyday promos. They were given only to the top winners of that contest, making them scarcer than most vintage Pokemon cards. Experts estimate between 13 and 39 copies out there, but not all have surfaced publicly.[2] Since 2020, public sales data shows very few transactions. The big one everyone talks about is Logan Paul’s purchase in 2022 of a pristine PSA 10 version for over $5 million.[2][3][4] That deal put the card back in the spotlight and drove up interest in high-end collecting.
Beyond that blockbuster sale, confirmed trades are hard to pin down. Auction houses and grading services like PSA log most big moves, but private deals between collectors often stay off the record. No comprehensive list exists of every Pikachu Illustrator sold since 2020, and sites tracking prices focus more on common Pikachu promos like the 2024 Illustration Contest #214, which sees regular sales around $12 to $20.[1] For the original Illustrator, though, post-2020 activity seems limited to just a handful of verified flips, with Paul’s buy standing out as the main public event.[2][3]
Why so few? These cards rarely hit the market. A PSA 10 like Paul’s is flawless, and lower grades still fetch huge sums if they appear. Collectors hold tight, knowing demand from celebs and investors keeps values soaring. If one does sell, it grabs headlines fast, just like the $5 million splash in 2022.[4] Keep an eye on auction sites for the next rare drop, but do not hold your breath, these Pikachu Illustrators move slower than a sleeping Snorlax.
