Logan Paul is making waves in the Pokemon card world by putting his record-breaking Pikachu Illustrator card up for auction, and he says it proves how value really gets created in collectibles. He bought the card back in 2021 for about $5.3 million, which made it the most expensive Pokemon card ever sold at the time and earned a spot in the Guinness World Records.[1][2] Now, with the market heating up, he’s taken a $2.5 million advance from Goldin Auctions to sell it, and they think it could go for $7 million to $12 million when it hits their site on January 12.[1]
Paul sees Pokemon cards as a smart alternative investment that beats the stock market. He claims the Pokemon market has grown over 3,000% in the last 20 years, way more than traditional stocks.[2] On Fox Business, he told young investors to skip the usual paths like stocks or buying a house and go for things like rare cards that mean something to them.[3][4] This one is a PSA Grade 10, the highest possible rating, and it’s the only flawless version of the super-rare 1997 Japanese promo card.[1][4] Even lower-grade copies sell for over $80,000.[4]
Why is the value exploding now? Paul and auction boss Ken Goldin point to nostalgia and grown-up fans with cash to spend. Pokemon hits its 30th anniversary in 2026, so adults who collected as kids are driving prices sky-high.[1] Goldin calls it an “alternative asset class” fueled by scarcity and new money pouring in, just like how sports cards of Jordan or Kobe hit $12.5 million.[1] Paul even wore the card on a $75,000 gold chain, but with gold prices doubling since then, that bling has gained value too.[5]
For collectors, Paul’s move shows perfect timing. He calls the market “hotter than it’s ever been,” and selling through the Netflix show King of Collectibles: The Goldin Touch adds hype.[1] He warns to stick to the absolute best items with tiny supply, since not every collectible holds up.[3] If you’re chasing Pokemon card prices, watch this auction closely, as it could reset records again and spotlight how rarity plus demand creates real wealth in this space.[1][2]