How Many Pikachu Illustrator Cards Are Graded PSA 9?
The Pikachu Illustrator card is one of the rarest and most valuable Pokemon cards ever made. Released in 1998 as a promo for a Japanese illustration contest in CoroCoro Comics, only 39 copies were ever produced. These cards rarely surface, and their condition matters a lot for value. Collectors dream of owning one, especially in high grades from PSA, the top grading service.
When it comes to PSA 9 grades, which mean Mint condition with sharp corners and minimal flaws, the number is extremely low. Public records and auction data show just a handful have achieved this grade over the years. For example, Heritage Auctions lists at least one Pikachu Illustrator graded PSA 9 from the original 1998 promo.[5] Other sales reports mention PSA 9 copies popping up in high-profile auctions, but they are confirmed as single-digit totals at most.[2]
Why so few? The cards are over 25 years old, and most were not preserved perfectly. PSA grading looks at centering, edges, corners, and surface quality. A PSA 9 requires near-perfection, which is tough for promo cards handled by kids or stored poorly. Sites like PriceCharting track modern Pikachu promos with PSA 9s, like the 2024 Illustration Contest versions, but those are different cards with more supply and lower values around $15 to $40.[3][4] The original Illustrator is in a league of its own.
Recent sales give clues on scarcity. A PSA 9 version has not dominated headlines like the few PSA 10s, which fetch millions. Instead, PSA 9s trade in the high five or six figures when they appear, signaling their rarity.[2] Beckett has graded some too, like a recent BGS Mint 9, but PSA remains the gold standard for population reports.[1]
Tracking exact numbers is tricky without full PSA pop reports, which are not public for every card. Experts estimate under five PSA 9 Pikachu Illustrators exist based on auction history and dealer insights. If you are hunting one, check sites like Heritage or Goldin for listings, and always verify the cert number. These cards keep climbing in price as Pokemon collecting booms.
