The Pikachu Illustrator card is one of the rarest Pokemon cards ever made, with only about 39 known to exist in total from a print run of just 39 back in 1998. These were prizes for a Japanese illustration contest, so they never hit stores in packs. Most talk in the Pokemon world focuses on perfect or near-perfect copies graded high by PSA, like the one Logan Paul bought for over 5 million dollars in PSA 10 condition. But what about damaged ones? Those lower-grade Pikachu Illustrators are even tougher to pin down.
No official count exists for how many Pikachu Illustrator cards are out there in damaged condition. Experts estimate between 13 and 100 total copies might still be around today, but that includes all conditions from mint to beat-up. Only a handful have ever popped up at auction or grading services like PSA, and those are usually the gems in top shape. Damaged versions, say PSA 1 to PSA 5 or even ungraded rough ones with creases, bends, or edge wear, rarely surface. Why? Owners of these ultra-rares baby them or rush them to grading hoping for a high score to cash in big. A trashed one might sell for thousands instead of millions, so they stay hidden in collections or get stashed away.
Recent sales data shows no Pikachu Illustrator listings in poor grades on major sites. For example, other Pikachu promos like the 2024 Illustration Contest #214 have sold in PSA 7 near-mint for around 21 dollars, but nothing like that for the original Illustrator. Auction houses and trackers like PriceCharting log high-end sales, but damaged Illustrators? Zero confirmed pops in the last year. Some collectors guess maybe 5 to 10 damaged ones exist privately, based on whispers in forums and old Japanese contest records. But without grading slabs or public sales, its all educated guesses.
If a damaged Pikachu Illustrator does show up, expect wild interest. Even beat-up holy grails hold value because of the cards insane scarcity. Keep an eye on eBay completed sales, Heritage Auctions, or Goldin for any surprises. For now, the exact number in damaged condition stays a mystery, adding to the hype around this yellow mouse legend.
