The realm of luxury collectables has gone to a whole new level. In an awe-inspiring showcase of market power and pop culture impact, the iconic PSA 10 Pikachu Illustrator card that belonged to Logan Paul was auctioned off for an unbelievable $16. 49 million.
This transaction is not merely a record-breaking one, but it sets a new paradigm for the pricing of alternative assets in the contemporary world.
Setting Up a Historic World Record
On February 16, 2026, live on air, a Guinness World Records official announced it. Logan Paul broke the record that once belonged to the 1952 Mickey Mantle baseball card.
This isn’t the first time this particular Pikachu Illustrator card has made waves. Back in 2021, Paul set a world record when he bought it for $5.275 million, making it the most expensive Pokémon card ever sold privately.
Fast forward five years, and he’s managed to triple that price. It’s wild. Elite trading cards aren’t just collectables anymore. They’re right up there with fine art and classic cars as top-tier alternative investments.
The Holy Grail of Trading Cards
The Pikachu Illustrator is by far the most esteemed piece in the collecting world. It was first given as a prize to the winners of the 1998 Japanese drawing contest, and only 39 copies were officially issued. Even though a few of these cards are available in lower grades, Logan Paul had the only one in the world that got a perfect Gem Mint 10 rating from PSA.
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This particular card went viral worldwide after Paul showed it off on a chain around his neck during his WrestleMania 38 opening act. The leap from five million to over sixteen million illustrates the explosive evolution of the Pokémon brand, which is about to turn 30 years old.
Who Bought Logan Paul’s Pokémon Illustrator?
The sale was managed by Goldin Auctions, and there was a 42-day bidding war that reached its climax in the last hours. The winning bidder, named A. J. Scaramucci got more than just the card. The auction lot also comprised a custom diamond-encrusted Pok Ball pendant along with a gold chain worth $75, 000.
In order to emphasise the significance of the record-breaking sale, Logan Paul vowed to hand-deliver the card to the new owner himself. This personal attention, coupled with the Guinness World Record certification, guarantees that the deal will go down as a landmark moment.
