How Many Pikachu Illustrator Cards Exist as Investment Assets
If you follow Pokemon card prices, the Pikachu Illustrator stands out as the ultimate prize. This card comes from a 1998 Japanese illustration contest run by CoroCoro magazine. Only the top 39 winners got one as a prize, making it one of the scarcest cards ever printed.[2][4]
Experts believe between 13 and 39 of these cards still exist today. Some sources narrow it down to about 13 known copies based on grading records and auction history. Others say up to 39 could be out there, since that matches the original winner count. Not all have surfaced publicly, and a few might sit in private collections.[2]
For investors, the low supply drives massive value. A pristine PSA 10 version sold for over 5 million dollars in 2022 when YouTuber Logan Paul bought it. He later planned to auction it off, keeping hype alive. Even lower grades fetch huge sums because so few exist in any condition.[2][3][4]
Grading matters a lot here. Services like PSA check centering, edges, corners, and surface quality on a 1 to 10 scale. A perfect 10 is gem mint and ultra rare for this card. Recent talk in collector circles notes print quality issues from back then, so high grades are tough to find.[4]
Compare it to other Pikachu cards like the 2024 Illustration Contest promo numbered 214. Those trade for 12 to 137 dollars depending on grade and sell often with steady volume. They are common by contrast, with fresh sales weekly.[1] The original Illustrator has no such supply, which is why prices keep climbing.
Auction houses track known sales. Goldin and Heritage have handled top copies, with one unique artist promo version hitting 137,500 dollars in 2023.[2] Rarity plus cultural icon status as Pikachu’s card make it a top investment pick.
Private holders rarely sell, so when one appears, bids explode. For PokemonPricing.com readers eyeing assets, track PSA population reports for updates on confirmed copies. Low numbers mean high potential if the market stays hot.
