Pikachu Illustrator cards are among the rarest in Pokemon TCG history, with only about 39 known to exist, while Gold Star cards like Espeon or Umbreon were printed in much larger numbers, likely thousands of copies each.
The Pikachu Illustrator comes from a 1998 Japanese illustration contest where just 39 winners received this promo card as a prize. No more were ever made, making it one of the holy grails for collectors. Logan Paul made headlines by buying a pristine PSA 10 version for over 5 million dollars in 2022, showing just how exclusive it is.[2][3][4]
Gold Star cards, on the other hand, appeared in sets like POP Series 5 and EX Holon Phantoms around 2005-2006. These shiny holo rares featured popular Pokemon like Pikachu, Charizard, and Rayquaza with a special gold star symbol. They were prize cards for tournaments, so more players won them over time. Exact print runs are not public from The Pokemon Company, but sales data and grading records point to far higher numbers. For example, thousands of Gold Star Espeon or Umbreon cards have been graded by PSA, compared to zero or very few Pikachu Illustrators beyond the known 39.[1][2]
This scarcity gap drives huge price differences. A top-grade Pikachu Illustrator can hit millions, while even rare Gold Star cards top out in the tens of thousands. Recent sales of newer Pikachu promos like the 2024 Illustration Contest #214 show steady market action at 15 to 140 dollars depending on grade, but these are reprints with higher supply.[1]
For collectors chasing value, Pikachu Illustrator remains unmatched in rarity. Gold Stars offer solid investments without the ultra-low odds. Check grading stats on sites like PSA or recent eBay sales to track population reports, as they update with new submissions.


