Record-Breaking Pokémon Card Sale: Logan Paul’s Pikachu Illustrator Fetches $16.49 Million

Record-Breaking Pokémon Card Sale: Logan Paul’s Pikachu Illustrator Fetches $16.49 Million

In a historic moment for the collectibles market, Logan Paul sold his one-of-a-kind PSA 10-graded Pikachu Illustrator card on February 16, 2026, for a record-setting $16.49 million, including fees. The buyer, venture capitalist A.J. Scaramucci, secured the rare trading card through Goldin Auctions, marking the most expensive Pokémon card transaction ever recorded.

Widely regarded as the most valuable Pokémon card in existence, the PSA 10 Pikachu Illustrator holds legendary status among collectors due to its extreme rarity and pristine condition. The card gained additional notoriety when Paul famously wore it around his neck during his debut appearance at WWE WrestleMania, further cementing its cultural significance beyond the trading card community.

The auction concluded with a winning bid of $13 million. After buyer’s premiums and associated fees were added, the final sale price reached $16.49 million. The transaction surpassed the previous record for the most expensive Pokémon card ever sold — a record that was also held by this very same Pikachu Illustrator card, highlighting its unmatched value in the collectibles market.

A.J. Scaramucci, managing partner of Solari Capital and a relative of former White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci, described the acquisition as both a strategic investment and a piece of modern pop culture history. Industry analysts note that the purchase reflects the continued growth of high-end trading card markets, where rare items increasingly attract interest from investors and collectors alike.

The landmark sale was featured on the Netflix series King of Collectibles: The Goldin Touch, which chronicles major transactions and personalities within the collectibles industry. The record-breaking deal further underscores the expanding influence of pop culture memorabilia and the rising financial stakes in the global collectibles market.

As demand for rare trading cards continues to surge, the Pikachu Illustrator’s latest sale sets a new benchmark — one that may redefine the future value of iconic collectibles worldwide.