Logan Paul sold his Pikachu Illustrator Pokémon card for $16.5 million at Goldin Auctions, marking the highest price ever paid for a trading card. The Grade 10 card, one of 39 ever made and graded as flawless by PSA, fetched a staggering $16.492 million after 42 days of bidding. Paul, who bought it for $5.275 million in 2021, called the sale “absolutely insane,” highlighting its record-breaking profit margin.**

The card’s value stems from its rarity and pristine condition. Only eight other Pikachu Illustrator cards hold a PSA Grade 9, making Paul’s Grade 10 version unique. Goldin CEO Ken Goldin called it “the holy grail of all Pokémon cards,” noting its dominance over sports cards and stocks. The auction included a diamond necklace Paul wore at WrestleMania 38, which he promised to deliver to the winner.**

Bidding surged in the final hours, with the price jumping from $6.882 million to $16.492 million in hours. Paul’s Instagram post celebrating the sale—“goodbye my friend… greatest collectible in the world”—underscored the card’s cultural impact. The record-breaking deal aligns with Pokémon’s rise as a $20 billion industry, surpassing Disney and Star Wars in media revenue.**

This sale reflects broader trends in collectibles, where nostalgia and scarcity drive astronomical prices. For investors, Paul’s move signals confidence in Pokémon cards as a high-return asset class. With only 20 PSA-graded Illustrator cards existing, the market’s appetite for perfection ensures continued volatility.