Have you ever wondered just how many Pikachu Illustrator cards are still tucked away in collections, untouched by trading for the past 20 years? This ultra-rare card from the 1998 Pokemon Illustrator contest prize is one of the holy grails of collecting, with only about 39 known to exist in total.[2][4] But pinning down the exact number that have not traded hands since around 2005 is tricky, as no public database tracks every private holder perfectly.
First, a quick background on why this card is so special. The Pikachu Illustrator was awarded to just 39 winners in a Japanese art contest back in 1998. It never hit stores as a regular card, making every copy a one-of-a-kind prize. Experts estimate between 13 and 100 might still be out there, but the confirmed count sits at 39.[2] Most have popped up at auctions over the years, like the PSA 10 gem Logan Paul bought for over $5 million in 2022, which had clearly traded before.[3][4]
To figure out the “no-trade in 20 years” part, we look at sales records and grading data. Professional grading services like PSA log when cards get slabbed, and auction sites show sales history. Out of those 39, at least 20 have surfaced in major sales since 2005. High-profile ones include multiple PSA 9s and 10s sold between 2019 and 2023, fetching prices from hundreds of thousands to millions.[2][3] That leaves roughly 19 that might not have traded publicly in two decades.
But here is the catch: not every trade hits public auctions. Some owners keep cards in personal collections, safe from eBay or Heritage Auctions. Private sales or family hand-downs do not show up in price guides. Sites like PriceCharting track recent promos like the 2024 Pikachu #214, which sells for $15 to $137 depending on grade, but they do not cover the 1998 Illustrator directly.[1] Still, collector forums and grading population reports suggest about half of the known Illustrators last traded before 2005, meaning around 19 to 20 could fit the bill.[2]
Why do some sit dormant so long? Top condition ones are investment gold. A PSA 10 can hit $5 million, so owners hold tight.[4] Lower grades trade more often, but even those are rare events. If you are hunting one, check PSA pop reports for low serial numbers from early 2000s submissions, as newer slabs likely mean recent activity.
For PokemonPricing.com readers, this scarcity drives value sky-high. A card dormant for 20 years boosts its appeal, proving it was cherished and preserved. Keep an eye on upcoming auctions, as any fresh-to-market Illustrator could shake up prices overnight.[2]
