The Pikachu Illustrator card sets the ultimate benchmark for rarity in Pokémon collecting, with only 39 known copies in existence worldwide. This Japanese promo card from 1998 was awarded as a prize in an official illustration contest, making it one of the scarcest cards ever produced.
Back in 1997, CoroCoro magazine and Creatures Inc. ran a drawing contest for kids in Japan. Winners got this special Pikachu card featuring their artwork on the front. The contest had 39 first-place winners across different grades and regions, so exactly 39 cards were printed and handed out. No more were ever made, and none were sold in packs or stores.
Today, not all 39 are accounted for in the collector world. Some sources say around 13 to 20 have surfaced at auctions or grading services like PSA. For example, only a handful have achieved top grades like PSA 10, which skyrockets their value. Logan Paul bought one pristine PSA 10 copy for over $5 million in 2022, proving how insane the demand is for these.
Prices reflect that extreme scarcity. A near-mint ungraded Pikachu Illustrator can still fetch hundreds of thousands, while lower-grade ones trade in the tens of thousands. Compare that to common Pikachu promos like the 2024 Illustration Contest #214, which sells for $15 to $20 raw because thousands exist.
What makes this card the upper limit? No other Pokémon card has a confirmed print run this tiny. Even ultra-rares like Trophy Pikachu or Spikey-Eared Pichu have slightly higher estimates, around 20 or so known copies. Pikachu Illustrator defines “holy grail” status, where supply caps at 39 forever.
Collectors track every sighting through auctions, private sales, and grading pops. If a new one appears, it grabs headlines and drives prices up across the board. For price watchers, this scarcity explains why Illustrator cards anchor the top of every value chart.
