The Pikachu Illustrator card is one of the rarest Pokemon cards ever made, with only 39 known copies that exist by their unique serial numbers. These cards come from a 1998 Japanese illustration contest where kids drew their dream Pokemon cards, and the top 39 winners got these special prizes printed as real cards, each numbered from 001 to 039 on the back.
Back then, CoroCora Comics in Japan ran the contest to promote the Pokemon TCG. The grand prize winner got card number 001, first runner-up got 002, and so on down to 039. No more were made, so these 39 are the full set. Every single one has a serial number that matches its rank in the contest, making it easy to track them all.
Pokemon collectors and grading companies like PSA have confirmed all 39 over the years. Some have sold at huge auctions, like Logan Paul’s PSA 10 copy that went for over 5 million dollars. Others pop up in sales now and then, but every known one ties back to that original list of numbers. No fakes with matching serials have fooled experts because the numbers are so specific.
If you see a Pikachu Illustrator for sale, check the serial number first. Numbers from 001 to 039 are the real deal, and prices skyrocket based on condition and grade. Lower numbers like 001 are extra special since they went to top winners. Keep an eye on sites like PriceCharting or auction houses for updates on sales, as these cards still trade hands and set records. Tracking serial numbers helps collectors know exactly how many are out there and where they are.
