An ultra-rare Pokémon trading card once owned by Logan Paul has sold for $16,492,000, setting a new world record for the most expensive trading card ever auctioned.
The sale, confirmed by Guinness World Records, took place Monday through auction house Goldin.
A Record-Breaking Resale
The card, a PSA 10-graded Pikachu Illustrator was previously purchased by Paul in 2021 for $5.28 million, a record at the time.
It was acquired this week by AJ Scaramucci, son of former White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci.
Following the winning bid, Paul placed the card, housed in a protective case and attached to what Guinness described as a $75,000 diamond necklace, around Scaramucci’s neck.
Guinness certified the transaction as both the most expensive Pokémon card and the priciest trading card ever sold at auction. The final price includes a buyer’s premium.
Why the Card Is So Valuable
The Pikachu Illustrator card is considered one of the rarest Pokémon collectibles in existence. It was never commercially released but awarded as a prize during a 1998 illustration contest in Japan.
Collectors prize the card not only for its scarcity but also because it was designed by Atsuko Nishida, the original illustrator of Pikachu.
The card carries a PSA 10 grade from Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA), the industry’s leading grading authority. A PSA 10 designation indicates near-perfect condition, including sharp corners, clear focus and original gloss.
Growing Market for Pokémon Cards
Since the franchise’s debut, the Pokémon universe, featuring characters such as Pikachu, Charizard, Mewtwo and Lucario, has expanded to more than 1,000 creatures across multiple generations.
While trading cards have long been popular among fans, their market value has surged in recent years. Investors and collectors alike now compete for rare editions, with prices influenced by scarcity, character popularity and condition.
Paul famously wore the card around his neck at a WWE event in Texas in 2022, shortly after purchasing it from a private seller in Dubai.
Monday’s sale marks a new high-water mark for the booming trading card market.
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