WWE’s Logan Paul broke a world record when he sold his 1998 Japanese Pikachu Illustrator, graded as a PSA gem mint 10, for more than $16.4 million. The card was the only card of its kind to receive the high grade by the PSA (Professional Sport Authenticator).
The card was purchased by A.J. Scaramucci, the son of financier and former White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci, for the final price of 16.492 million.
Paul originally purchased the card a few years ago. At the time he bought it, Guinness World Records said it was the “most expensive Pokémon trading card sold at a private sale.” Paul used the card as a prop for his entrance during WrestleMania 38, by wearing it around his neck.
Goldin Auctions Co. received the auction rights for Paul’s card and described it as an “unimaginable Holy Grail piece.” They also said, “the current hobby consensus is that 41 copies of this card were officially awarded and distributed, with this Logan Paul-backed piece the chief among them. “The card is accompanied by a custom wooden presentation box bearing Paul’s Maverick logo and a plaque that reads ‘Pokémon / Pikachu Illustrator / PSA 10 / 1 of 1.’ 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.”
In an Instagram video, Paul called the auction, “absolute madness.”
At the peak of the Pokémon craze, which began back in November 1997, CoroCoro Comic announced a contest for readers called the “Pokémon Card Game Illust Artist Contest.” Readers were challenged to draw their own Pokémon card, then send it into the magazine. The winners received 20 cards featuring their own illustration. Twenty other contestants received an “Excellence Award”, along with a copy of the Pikachu Illustrator Card.
A 1952 Mickey Mantle card previously held the record in August 2022, as the most expensive sold at $12.6 million.
Source: foxbusinessnews.com