Logan Paul, the famous YouTuber and WWE star, just made waves in the Pokemon card world by agreeing to auction off his record-breaking Pikachu Illustrator card. He bought it back in 2021 for almost 5.3 million dollars, setting a Guinness World Record for the priciest Pokemon card ever sold privately[1][2]. Now, he’s comparing these ultra-rare cards to fine art pieces, calling them serious investments that beat out stocks over the years[1].
This Pikachu Illustrator is no ordinary card. It came from a 1998 illustration contest run by a Japanese kids’ magazine, where winners got it as a prize instead of cash. Only a handful were made, and even fewer survived in top shape. Pikachu holds art tools on it and says “Illustrator,” making it the only card that calls its owner an illustrator, not a trainer. Paul snagged the one graded PSA 10, the perfect score from Professional Sports Authenticator, and it’s the only one like that in existence[1].
Paul sees Pokemon cards as more than kid stuff. He points to their nostalgia pull, tiny supply, and big demand from rich collectors as reasons they hold value like paintings or rare collectibles. For him, it’s part nostalgia from his childhood, part status symbol, and part smart money move. He even shows it off as part of his brand instead of hiding it away[1].
The auction news broke on Netflix’s King of Collectibles: The Goldin Touch, which dropped on December 23. Paul took a 2.5 million dollar advance from Goldin Auctions boss Ken Goldin, and the sale goes live January 12 through their platform, a top spot for sports and collectible auctions[2]. This move highlights how high-end Pokemon cards are turning into alternative assets, just like fine art or sports memorabilia, with collectors willing to pay top dollar[2].
Paul’s pitch frames rare cards as holy grails with real history. This one’s tied to Pokemon’s early days before it blew up worldwide, which amps up its appeal decades later[1]. For collectors chasing prices on PokemonPricing.com, this auction could shake up values for top-tier Illustrator cards and other gems. Keep an eye on it, as demand stays hot.
