Logan Paul has once again captured global attention after selling one of the rarest Pokémon cards in existence, the Pikachu Illustrator, for an astonishing $16.5 million (£12 million). The record-breaking sale, conducted by auction house Goldin, makes it the most expensive trading card ever sold at auction.
Paul originally purchased the card in 2021 for $5.3 million (£3.9 million), setting a Guinness World Record at the time. Four years later, the resale has more than tripled in value.
A Record-Breaking Sale Confirmed Live
For collectors, this is the sign to regularly check your cards, especially the vintage ones. You never know that a Pokémon card from your old storage can give you millions after some years.
The dramatic auction finale featured falling confetti as Guinness World Records adjudicator Sarah Casson officially confirmed the sale as the most expensive trading card ever auctioned. The magnitude of the moment is one of the books not just for Paul, but for all Pokémon card collectors and hobbyists.
Auction house founder Ken Goldin described the Pikachu Illustrator as "the number one card" in Paul's collection, noting the sustained surge in demand for rare Pokémon memorabilia.
The Buyer's Ambitious 'Planetary Treasure Hunt'
AJ Scaramucci, son of former White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci, described the purchase as the opening move in what he calls a "planetary treasure hunt."
AJ Scaramucci announces he's the buyer of the Pikachu Illustrator on Logan Paul's livestream.
— Ben Burrows (@BenMBurrows) February 16, 2026
Scaramucci is a co-founder of investment firm Solari Capital.
Adds the purchase is part of a treasure hunt, which he promotes with a website called Treasure Trove.
"I'm on a... https://t.co/6cb7NbdxqK
His long-term goal is to assemble an extraordinary collection of historical and cultural artifacts, potentially including a Tyrannosaurus rex fossil and even the Declaration of Independence.
Why the Pikachu Illustrator Is So Valuable
The Pikachu Illustrator card is widely considered the rarest Pokémon card ever produced. Released in 1998 as a prize in a Japanese illustration contest, only around 40 copies are believed to exist. Paul's copy stands out as the only example graded PSA 10, meaning it is in virtually flawless condition.
Its scarcity, pristine grading, and iconic status within the Pokémon franchise have driven its value to unprecedented levels, especially amid a booming global market for Pokémon trading cards.
A WWE-Inspired Celebration
In a theatrical touch, Paul included the diamond-encrusted necklace that held the card, famously worn during his debut at WrestleMania 38 in 2022, placing it around Scaramucci's neck during the auction celebration.
