Have you ever wondered just how few Pikachu Illustrator cards are actually out there in private hands? This legendary Pokemon card from 1998 tops the charts as the rarest and most valuable, with only a tiny number known to exist among collectors worldwide.
The Pikachu Illustrator card was a special prize given to just 39 winners of a Japanese illustration contest back in the late 90s. Out of those original 39, experts believe only about 13 to around 100 might still be around today, but the real number in private collections is much smaller. Most sources point to roughly 13 copies that have surfaced publicly through sales or grading services like PSA.[2][4]
Not all of them are in top shape or privately owned. For example, Logan Paul made headlines in 2022 by buying one pristine PSA 10 version for over $5 million, and he has talked about auctioning it off.[3][4] That card is one of the few perfect examples known. Other high-profile sales show a handful more changing hands, but many owners keep theirs hidden to avoid drawing attention or fakes.
Grading data helps narrow it down. PSA, the main grading company for Pokemon cards, has only authenticated a small number of Pikachu Illustrators over the years. This scarcity drives insane prices, with even lower-grade copies fetching hundreds of thousands. Private collectors hold most of these gems, stashed away in vaults or displayed in secure collections, far from the public eye.[2][4]
Why so few in private hands? Time takes a toll, plus some winners might have lost or damaged theirs. Rumors swirl about a couple possibly lost forever or in museums, but the bulk sit with wealthy enthusiasts who treat them like holy grails. If you’re hunting prices on PokemonPricing.com, keep an eye on any rare listings, as one popping up could shake the market.[1][5]
Spotting a real one is tough due to forgeries, so always check grading and provenance. These cards aren’t just rare, they define what makes Pokemon collecting thrilling, with values climbing as fewer details emerge about their owners.
