Logan Paul Sells Pokémon Pikachu Illustrator Card for $16.5 Million

Liputan6.com, Jakarta - Logan Paul has once again becomes an internet sensation.

On February 16, 2026, his Pokémon Pikachu Illustrator card sold for a staggering $16,492,000 USD.

This sale officially established the card as the most expensive trading card ever sold at auction, an achievement certified by Guinness World Records.

This historic auction, organized by Goldin Auctions, attracted the attention of collectors and enthusiasts worldwide.

The previous record for the most expensive trading card sold at auction was held by a 1952 Mickey Mantle card, but now Pokémon's dominance is undeniable.

The buyer of this rare card was A.J. Scaramucci.

This 'Pikachu Illustrator' card, often referred to as the 'holy grail' by collectors, has a long history and rarity that makes it highly sought after.

AJ Scaramucci, son of former Trump press Secretary, Anthony Scaramucci, is the winner of Logan Paul’s ‘Pikachu illustrator’ auctionHe claims that this is his first item in his ‘planetary treasure hunt’ and will be followed by the Declaration of Independence and a T-Rex fossil pic.twitter.com/pRg4ihMsoK

— Pubity (@pubity) February 16, 2026

The sale of Logan Paul's "Pikachu Illustrator" card for $16,492,000 USD, has been officially recognized by Guinness World Records as the most expensive trading card ever sold at auction.

The card in question is a "Pikachu Illustrator" graded PSA Gem Mint 10, an extremely rare and sought-after grade.

The uniqueness of this card lies in the fact that only one known copy of this perfect grade exists worldwide, making it an unrivaled collectible asset.

Recognized as the "holy grail" within the Pokémon collecting community, this card was originally awarded as a prize to the winner of the 1998 CoroCoro Comic illustration contest in Japan.

This card has never been sold commercially, and it is estimated that only 39 to 40 official copies were ever produced, making it extremely exclusive.

The card's iconic design is the work of Atsuko Nishida, the original designer of the Pikachu character.

The "Pikachu Illustrator" card auction was organized by Goldin Auctions, one of the leading auction houses for collectibles.

Bidding, which opened in January 2026, started at $1.3 million USD, attracting the attention of top collectors from around the world and sparking fierce competition.

The dramatic auction was also featured in the latest season of the Netflix series "King of Collectibles: The Goldin Touch."

Logan Paul had previously received a $2.5 million USD advance to sell the card through Goldin Auctions, demonstrating the auction house's confidence in the card's potential value.

This record-breaking sale coincided with the 30th anniversary of the Pokémon franchise.

Before this fantastic sale, Logan Paul himself acquired the "Pikachu Illustrator" card in a private sale in 2021 for $5.275 million USD.

The acquisition also broke the world record at the time for the most expensive Pokémon card sold privately.

Paul acquired this card by trading in his own PSA Grade 9 Pikachu Illustrator card and adding $4 million USD.

The new buyer, A.J. Scaramucci, a venture capitalist and son of Anthony Scaramucci (former White House Communications Director), expressed his ambition to collect rare items of historical significance.

He called this purchase the first step in a larger "planetary treasure hunt," indicating that he views the card as more than just a collectible, but as part of cultural heritage.

The card gained notoriety when Logan Paul wore it on a custom diamond necklace during his WWE debut at WrestleMania 38 in 2022.

The diamond necklace, valued at approximately $75,000 to $80,000 USD, was also included in the auction lot and was handed over to A.J. Scaramucci as a symbol of ownership, adding to the historical significance of the transaction.