Logan Paul, the YouTuber turned WWE star, has a simple take on why vintage Pokemon cards like Charizard beat out shiny new ones for safety in collecting. He points to their proven track record and true scarcity as the big reasons.
Paul knows Pokemon cards inside out after dropping millions on top pieces. Back in 2022, he shelled out 5.3 million dollars for a PSA Grade 9 Pikachu Illustrator, snagging a Guinness World Record as the priciest Pokemon card sold privately[3]. He turned it into a necklace with a 75,000 dollar chain and even wore it at WrestleMania 38[2]. Now, that same card heads to Goldin Auctions in early 2026, alongside other gems from his collection like a 1999 Base Set 1st Edition Holo Charizard and a factory-sealed booster box[1][2].
What makes Charizard from the original Base Set feel safer to Paul? Its age and limited supply. Those 1999 1st Editions came out over 25 years ago with far fewer printed than today’s mass-produced cards. Modern sets flood the market with reprints and high print runs, watering down rarity. Paul stresses buying the best of the best, items with extreme scarcity that hold value over time[3]. He compares it to stocks, saying collectibles like these have outperformed the market for young investors willing to hunt quality[3].
Take his Charizard example. Pulled from his own early box breaks, these old holos have climbed steadily because so few pristine copies exist. New cards might hype up fast on social media, but they crash when the next set drops. Paul learned this hands-on, focusing on cards verified by PSA with top grades and low population reports[1][2].
He is auctioning more than just the Pikachu Illustrator. The Goldin sale includes his signed Ken Sugimori artwork, rare tournament trophy Pikachus, and sealed early booster boxes loaded with Charizard potential[1]. Paul sees these vintage hits as smarter bets because they have history on their side, not just fresh buzz.
For collectors eyeing prices on PokemonPricing.com, Paul’s advice lines up with market trends. Vintage Charizard cards from Base Set often fetch six figures in top condition, while modern chase cards dip quicker after peaks. Stick to icons with real limits, and you cut the risk.
