Logan Paul May Sell His Rare Pikachu Illustrator Pokémon Card

Valuable Pokémon card collection item could hit the market / Cliff Hawkins / Getty Images

Logan Paul, widely known as a YouTuber, professional wrestler, and entrepreneur, has made headlines once again—this time for potentially parting ways with one of the rarest and most expensive Pokémon cards in existence.

Paul, an avid collector of Pokémon trading cards, purchased the highly sought-after Pikachu Illustrator card in 2021 for approximately $5.3 million, marking the highest private sale ever recorded for a Pokémon card, according to Guinness World Records. The YouTuber has now hinted that he may be willing to sell the prized possession to the right buyer.

In a recent YouTube video shared with his 23 million+ subscribers, Paul teased the possibility of parting with the Pikachu Illustrator Pokémon card, a decision that could shake up the high-end Pokémon card market. "I'm thinking about letting it go, potentially exchanging hands for the right person," he said, inviting potential buyers to reach out.

The Story Behind Logan Paul’s Pikachu Illustrator Card

The Pikachu Illustrator card is considered the "holy grail" of Pokémon collectibles, coveted by enthusiasts worldwide. Originally distributed as part of a 1998 contest held by CoroCoro Comic, a Japanese magazine, only 39 copies were ever awarded to winners. Designed by Atsuko Nishida, the original illustrator of Pikachu, the card holds immense historical and sentimental value.

While a handful of these ultra-rare cards exist, Paul's version is believed to be in the best condition among known copies. He acquired it through a strategic trade, swapping another Illustrator card in slightly lower condition along with $4 million in cash—a transaction he documented in a 2022 video.

The card gained further notoriety when Paul famously wore it around his neck during his WrestleMania debut, instantly turning it into a pop culture phenomenon.

Why This Potential Sale Matters in the Collectible Card Market

If Paul follows through with selling his Pikachu Illustrator Pokémon card, it would mark one of the most significant transactions in the world of collectible trading cards. In recent years, high-profile sales in the collectibles market have set new records:

• A 1952 Mickey Mantle baseball card sold for over $12 million, making it the most expensive piece of sports memorabilia ever.
• A Magic: The Gathering "Black Lotus" card fetched $3 million in April 2024.
• Several rare Pokémon cards are currently listed for over $1 million on eBay.

Jeremy Padawer, a toy executive and Pokémon card expert featured in Paul's earlier videos, noted that the YouTuber's collecting habits are driven by a mix of passion, investment strategy, and competitive spirit.

"Collecting is part conquest, part investment, part fandom," Padawer explained. He also suggested that elite collectibles often change hands over time. "Maybe items like this aren't meant to be enjoyed by just one person for an entire lifetime."

Will Logan Paul Set Another Record with His Pokémon Card Sale?

As of now, Paul has not disclosed why he is considering selling the Pikachu Illustrator card, how he plans to conduct the sale, or the price he expects to fetch. However, given the card’s legendary status and its pristine condition, another record-breaking Pokémon card sale could be on the horizon.

On Instagram, Paul has previously acknowledged the staggering price he paid for the card, calling it "an absurd amount of money for cardboard." Despite this, his collection remains one of the most well-known in the Pokémon community, and his potential sale could draw attention from elite investors and collectors worldwide.