{"id":505455,"date":"2026-02-19T15:39:50","date_gmt":"2026-02-19T07:39:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/snkrdunk.com\/en\/magazine\/?p=505455"},"modified":"2026-03-05T15:41:45","modified_gmt":"2026-03-05T07:41:45","slug":"pokemon-tcg-newspokemon-illustrator-sold-for-a-record-breaking-16492000","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/snkrdunk.com\/en\/magazine\/2026\/02\/19\/pokemon-tcg-newspokemon-illustrator-sold-for-a-record-breaking-16492000\/","title":{"rendered":"Pok\u00e9mon TCG News:”Pok\u00e9mon illustrator” sold for a record-breaking $16,492,000!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The collectibles world has a new king. On February 16, 2026, the legendary “Pikachu Illustrator”<\/strong> card was sold for a staggering $16,492,000 (approx. 2,528,000,000 JPY)<\/strong> through the premier U.S. auction house, Goldin<\/strong>. This historic sale doesn’t just top the Pok\u00e9mon charts\u2014it officially becomes the most expensive trading card ever sold in history, shattering previous Guinness World Records.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A 300% Return in Just Five Years<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The card was consigned by none other than Logan Paul<\/strong>, the polarizing YouTuber and WWE superstar. Paul originally made headlines in 2021 when he acquired the card for $5,275,000 (approx. 800,000,000 JPY)<\/strong>\u2014a price that earned him a Guinness World Record at the time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By more than tripling his investment in just five years, Paul has once again redefined the ceiling for “alternative assets.” The auction lot was a true “celebrity set,” featuring the PSA 10 card alongside the $75,000 custom diamond-encrusted pendant<\/strong> Paul famously wore during his WrestleMania 38 debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What Makes the “Illustrator” the Holy Grail?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

To the uninitiated, it\u2019s just a piece of cardboard. But to the TCG community, the “Pikachu Illustrator”<\/strong> is the ultimate prize.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u30fbExtreme Rarity:<\/strong> Originally released in 1998, these were never sold in stores. They were awarded only to winners of the “Pok\u00e9mon Card Game Illustration Contest” in the Japanese magazine CoroCoro Comic<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u30fbThe “One of One”:<\/strong> While roughly 40 copies are believed to exist, Logan Paul\u2019s copy is the only one in the world to be graded a PSA 10 (Gem Mint)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u30fbIconic Art:<\/strong> It features artwork by Atsuko Nishida, the original creator of Pikachu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Pokemon Illustrator : Old Back [PMCG-P](Promotional Cards “Illustration Artist Contest”)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Collect with Confidence: The SNKRDUNK Guarantee<\/strong>

At SNKRDUNK, we don’t just facilitate trades; we protect them. Our professional authenticators conduct a rigorous multi-point inspection on every card. From the precision of micro-text and fonts to the specific feel of textured relief, we verify every detail against our massive database of genuine cards. When you\u2019re chasing a high-value cards, authenticity should be the last of your worries. Shop the Japanese market with total peace of mind at SNKRDUNK.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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