How Many Pikachu Illustrator Cards Exist Insured for Seven Figures
If you collect Pokemon cards, you have probably heard about the Pikachu Illustrator card. It is one of the rarest and most valuable cards ever made. This promo card comes from a 1998 illustration contest in Japan run by CoroCoro magazine. Only the top winners got these cards as prizes. People often ask how many of them still exist today and how many are so perfect they carry seven-figure insurance policies worth at least one million dollars each.[2][4]
First, the total number known to exist is very small. Experts believe there are only about 39 Pikachu Illustrator cards in the world. That number comes from tracking graded cards and confirmed owner reports over the years. Not all of them are in top condition though. Some have wear from age or handling, which drops their value big time.[2][4]
Now for the insured part. Seven figures means over a million dollars in insurance coverage, usually for cards in gem mint shape like PSA 10 grade. Only a handful qualify at that level. Right now, just two Pikachu Illustrator cards are known to be PSA 10 graded and insured for seven figures or more. One famous example belongs to YouTuber Logan Paul. He bought it in 2022 for over five million dollars. It is a pristine PSA 10 copy, and stories say it carries massive insurance to match its record price.[2][3][4]
The other top one is similar. It also hit PSA 10 status and commands huge value, enough for seven-figure protection. Owners of cards this rare use special insurance from companies that cover high-end collectibles. These policies protect against theft, damage, or loss, which is smart because one bad event could wipe out millions.[4]
Why so few at this elite level? Grading is tough. Services like PSA check centering, edges, corners, and surface for flaws. A card from 1998 has to survive decades without issues, which is rare. Most Pikachu Illustrators are lower grades, selling for thousands instead of millions.[1][4]
For collectors chasing these, recent sales of other Pikachu promos show the hype. A 2024 Pikachu Illustrator Contest promo like number 214 sells for fifteen to twenty dollars in near mint, or up to a hundred thirty-seven for PSA 10. That is cool but nowhere near the original 1998 version.[1]
Owners keep locations secret to avoid risks. If you see one pop up at auction, expect a bidding war. These cards mix true scarcity with Pokemon history, making them holy grails for serious buyers on sites like PokemonPricing.com.
