How Many Pikachu Illustrator Cards Exist Across All PSA Grades
The Pikachu Illustrator is one of the rarest Pokemon cards ever made. Experts believe only 39 copies exist in total worldwide.[1] These cards were given as prizes to winners of a drawing contest in Japan by CoroCoro Comic magazine in 1997 and 1998. They were never sold in packs or stores, just handed out directly to kids who won.[1][2]
Not all 39 have been graded by PSA, the top grading service for cards. Grading checks condition on a scale from 1 to 10, with 10 being perfect. Population reports, or pop reports, track how many of each card get each grade. For Pikachu Illustrator, the numbers are super low because so few have surfaced.
Here is what we know about PSA graded Pikachu Illustrators:
One card is graded PSA 10. This is the highest grade possible. It is the only one at this level, owned by YouTuber Logan Paul at one point. He bought it for over 5 million dollars and called it a one-of-a-kind gem.[2][5]
At least one card is graded PSA 8.5. This sold recently for 610,000 dollars on Goldin Auctions. Another PSA 8.5 sold for 300,000 dollars just over a year before that.[1]
Other grades exist too, but exact pop reports are not public in every source. Some ungraded copies might still be out there in private collections. The total graded by PSA across all grades is believed to be under 40, matching the overall estimate of 39 cards made.[1]
Why so few graded? Many winners were kids in the 90s. Cards got played with, lost, or damaged over time. Survivors in good shape are tough to find. High grades like PSA 9 or 10 are even rarer because the card is old and fragile.[2]
Collectors chase these for their history and value. A PSA 10 is priceless, while lower grades still fetch huge prices. Check PSA pop reports or auction sites like Goldin for the latest on new ones popping up. With only 39 believed to exist, every graded copy makes news in the Pokemon world.[1][5]
