Have you ever wondered just how many Pikachu Illustrator cards are still out there waiting for a shot at that perfect PSA 10 grade? This ultra-rare card from a 1997 Japanese Pokemon promotion is the holy grail for collectors, with only a tiny handful known to exist in total.[3][4]
First, a quick background. The Pikachu Illustrator was a prize for winners of an illustration contest in CoroCoro magazine. Experts believe somewhere between 13 and 39 copies were ever printed, though the exact number remains a mystery because official records are scarce.[2] Out of those, just a few have surfaced over the years. Logan Paul made headlines in 2022 by buying the one and only confirmed PSA 10 example for over $5 million, proving how flawless condition skyrockets its value.[3][4]
So, how many ungraded or lower-graded versions could still hit PSA 10? PSA, the top grading service for Pokemon cards, logs every submission publicly. To date, only that single Pikachu Illustrator has earned a PSA 10 grade. A couple others have been graded lower, like PSA 7 or 8, but most known copies sit in private collections or have not been graded at all.[2][3]
That leaves the big question: how many raw (ungraded) cards or those with room for improvement might still qualify for a 10? Estimates point to fewer than 10 potential candidates worldwide. Some collectors speculate 5 to 8 ungraded copies could exist in top shape, hidden in old collections from Japan or stashed away by original contest winners. These would need perfect centering, sharp corners, clean edges, and no surface flaws to make the grade, which is tough even for fresh cards due to print variations from back then.[4]
Why so few? Time takes a toll. Cards from 1997 have endured decades of storage, travel, and handling. Many got damaged early on, and printing quirks from the era make gem mint condition rare. Recent sales of other Pikachu promos, like the 2024 Illustration Contest version (SVP214), show PSA 10s fetching around $137, but that’s a modern card with way more supply.[1]
For buyers on PokemonPricing.com, this scarcity drives insane prices. A raw Pikachu Illustrator in decent shape might cost hundreds of thousands, with the dream of sending it to PSA for a potential 10. Keep an eye on auctions, as any new discovery could shake the market. Spot one? Check its condition closely under good light, and consider professional grading right away to lock in its value.
