Have you ever wondered if one of the world’s rarest Pokemon cards has been used as loan collateral? The Pikachu Illustrator card, often called the holy grail of collecting, sits at the top of that list. This special promo card from 1998 was given to just 39 winners of a Japanese illustration contest. Experts believe only about 39 copies exist in total, with maybe 10 to 13 known in top condition after grading.[2][4]
Its insane rarity drives prices sky high. A perfect PSA 10 version sold for over 5 million dollars in 2022, bought by YouTuber Logan Paul. He later put his pristine copy up for auction, calling it worth around 5.3 million dollars.[3][4] Even lower grade ones fetch huge sums, making it a dream for serious collectors tracking values on sites like ours.
Now, to the big question: has any Pikachu Illustrator been used as collateral for a loan? No public records or confirmed reports show this happening. These cards are so valuable and tightly held that owners treat them like vaulted treasures, not everyday loan bait. Logan Paul’s card, for example, stayed in his collection as a status symbol before the auction talk.[3][4] Other ultra-rares like the Trophy Pikachu or Spikey-Eared Pichu have similar stories, with owners showing them off rather than risking them on loans.[2]
That said, in the high-end collectibles world, million-dollar cards sometimes back private deals or investments. Pokemon cards in general have grown as assets, with grading services like PSA logging sales and boosting trust.[1][4] A Pikachu Illustrator could theoretically secure a loan equal to its graded value, but no known cases have surfaced for this specific card. Collectors prefer cashing in through auctions over borrowing against them.
If you’re eyeing Pikachu cards for your portfolio, check recent sales on PriceCharting for everyday promos like the 2024 Illustration Contest Pikachu #214, which go for 12 to 20 dollars ungraded.[1] For the real Illustrator, stay tuned to auction houses, as any movement could spike interest. Rarity like 39 total copies keeps it untouchable for most, loan or no loan.
