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Pikachu Illustrator Card Smashes Auction Records, Fetches Over $16 Million
A rare Pokémon card, once the prized possession of internet personality and WWE wrestler Logan Paul, has shattered auction records, selling for an astounding $16,492,000. The coveted Pikachu Illustrator card is one of only 39 ever produced and holds the unique distinction of being the only one graded a perfect 10 by Professional Sports Authenticator.
The card, designed by Atsuko Nishida, the original graphic designer of Pikachu, first made headlines in 2021 when Paul acquired it for $5,275,000, immediately making it the world’s most expensive Pokémon card at the time. Paul famously showcased his prized acquisition by wearing it around his neck during his WWE WrestleMania debut in 2022.
Recently, Paul entrusted the card to online auction house Goldin, where it was ultimately purchased by AJ Scaramucci for the record-breaking sum. This sale not only makes it the most expensive Pokémon card ever sold at auction but also the most expensive trading card of any kind to be auctioned. A Guinness World Records adjudicator was on hand to officially verify these new benchmarks.