Logan Paul’s unique PSA 10 Pikachu Illustrator card, regarded as the “Holy Grail” of Pokémon collecting, has officially sold for an astounding $16,492,000 at Goldin Auctions. The auction, which wrapped up early Monday morning, spanned 41 days of intense bidding, with a significant surge in activity during an extended bidding period after the auction’s official close.
The final sale price comprised a hammer price of $13.3 million plus a 24% buyer’s premium, more than tripling the amount Paul originally paid for the card. He acquired it for $5.275 million in July 2021, setting a Guinness World Record at that time for the most expensive Pokémon card ever sold. Additionally, he invested $70,000 in a custom case and necklace to showcase the card, which he famously wore during his WrestleMania 38 appearance.
Auction Dynamics and Bidding Frenzy
Bidding for the card commenced on January 5, following an early launch due to “overwhelming global interest,” as stated by Goldin. Ken Goldin, the founder and CEO of Goldin, remarked, “This is the biggest Pokémon and trading card game auction ever held, and the unbelievable amount of interest we’ve already received led us to open early.” Paul described the card as “the most coveted card in the world” and pledged to personally deliver it to the auction winner.
In the auction’s first week, bids skyrocketed from $500,000 to $4.3 million. By January 14, the price stabilized around $5.1 million. Notably, on January 19, OnlyFans creator Emmie Bunni shared an Instagram post claiming to have submitted a private bid of $10.2 million, a claim that Paul later disputed, stating it was AI-generated. Bunni later confirmed the image was fake but maintained her interest in the card. It remains uncertain if she contributed to the bidding that pushed the auction past the $10.2 million mark.
The Significance of the Pikachu Illustrator Card
The bidding intensified again on February 14, leading up to the auction’s scheduled conclusion at 10 p.m. on February 15, when a flurry of bids came in before the final one was submitted hours later. Goldin has yet to reveal the identity of the winning bidder.
The Pikachu Illustrator card’s immense value stems from its rarity and historical significance. Originally awarded to winners of a 1998 illustration contest by CoroCoro Comic in Japan, the card was designed by Atsuko Nishida, the original illustrator of Pikachu. While it is believed that only 39 to 41 copies exist, Paul’s card is the only one graded PSA 10, representing the pinnacle of card condition.
Celebrating Pokémon’s Legacy
Goldin emphasized the card’s significance in the auction listing, stating, “Due to the scarcity, grand value, and pedigree of this Pikachu Illustrator, this is one of the most significant public offerings of a Pokémon card in the history of the hobby and a potentially once-in-a-lifetime sale.” Paul expressed his emotional attachment to the card, stating, “My heart sank when I dropped it. One of one. The Mona Lisa of collectibles.” He framed the auction as a tribute to Pokémon’s 30th anniversary, asserting that Pokémon collectibles have outperformed the stock market by 3,000% over time.
Having purchased the card in 2021 after trading a PSA 9 copy and cash, Paul showcased it in a December 2025 episode of Netflix’s King of Collectibles: The Goldin Touch, leading up to the auction’s launch. Now, he prepares to hand over this iconic piece of cardboard, measuring just 3.5 by 2.5 inches, while walking away with millions.
This article was produced by NeonPulse.today using human and AI-assisted editorial processes, based on publicly available information. Content may be edited for clarity and style.
