Pikachu Illustrator cards are among the rarest in Pokemon history, with only about 39 known to exist in total, but zero are confirmed to be locked at a PSA 9 grade.[2][3] This iconic card comes from a 1998 Japanese illustration contest where just 39 winners received one as a prize, making it a holy grail for collectors.[2]
PSA grading rates cards from 1 to 10 based on condition, with 9 being near mint-minus and 10 gem mint. The Pikachu Illustrator has seen a handful graded over the years. Logan Paul bought the only known PSA 10 in 2022 for over $5 million, and it is now up for auction again.[3] Other copies have hit PSA 8 or lower, but no public records show any at exactly PSA 9.[1][2][3]
Why none at PSA 9? These cards are over 25 years old and were handed out as promo prizes, so most saw some handling early on. Perfect centering and edges needed for a 9 or 10 are tough with vintage print quality. Population reports from grading sites like PSA do not list any Pikachu Illustrators at 9, keeping the grade a mystery in the market.[2]
For pricing fans, this scarcity drives huge value. A PSA 10 sold for millions, while ungraded or lower grades still fetch tens of thousands depending on sales. Check recent comps on sites like PriceCharting or eBay for similar promos, but true Illustrators rarely hit the market.[1] If one ever gets locked at PSA 9, expect a frenzy among buyers chasing that sweet spot grade. Keep an eye on auctions for updates, as new slabs could change everything.
