{"id":1803643,"date":"2026-02-16T10:32:54","date_gmt":"2026-02-16T07:32:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1803643"},"modified":"2026-02-16T10:32:54","modified_gmt":"2026-02-16T07:32:54","slug":"logan-pauls-pikachu-illustrator-card-sells-for-record-breaking-16-49-million-usd","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1803643","title":{"rendered":"Logan Paul&#8217;s Pikachu Illustrator Card Sells for Record-Breaking $16.49 Million USD"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F02%2F16%2Flogan-paul-pokemon-pikachu-illustrator-card-guinness-world-record-goldin-auctions-16-million-usd-sale-tw.jpg?w=1080&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;fit=max&#8221;]<\/p>\n<div class=\"col-post-body col\">\n<div class=\"row post-body\">\n<aside class=\"post-body-sidebar\">\n<div class=\"post-body-sidebar-upper\">\n<div class=\"post-body-sidebar-category d-none d-lg-block\">\n<p>    Gaming\n                                                                                                    <\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-sidebar-published d-none d-lg-block\">\n                                                                                                                    <time>Feb 16, 2026<\/time><\/p><\/div>\n<ul class=\"post-body-sidebar-hype-comments-container list-unstyled d-none d-lg-block\">\n<li>\n<p>                <span class=\"hype-count yellow\"><br \/>\n             5.9K<br \/>\n    <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"floating-tooltip\" role=\"tooltip\">\n                    <span>Views<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"floating-arrow\"><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n                                                                                                                                <span class=\"disqus-comment-count\"><span class=\"icon icon-comment\"><\/span><span>1<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"d-none d-sm-inline text\">Comments<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"floating-tooltip\" role=\"tooltip\"><span>Comments<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"floating-arrow\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>            <span class=\"bookmark-icon\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"bookmark-svg\">\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><br \/>\n            <span class=\"text\">Save<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"post-body-sidebar-author d-none d-lg-block\">\n<hr class=\"sidebar-divider share-divider\">\n<h6>Text By<\/h6>\n<p>        <span class=\"author-name\">Joyce Li<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<hr class=\"sidebar-divider d-none d-lg-block\">\n<div class=\"post-body-sidebar-share d-none d-lg-block\">\n<h6>Share this article<\/h6>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<article class=\"post-body-article\">\n<div class=\"post-gallery-container small inner-media\">\n<div class=\"gallery-container post-gallery-contain\">\n<div class=\"hb-gallery before-booted full-screen-enabled only-one-cell \" data-images=\"[{&quot;image&quot;:{&quot;description&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;image_caption&quot;:null,&quot;small&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F02%2F16%2Flogan-paul-pokemon-pikachu-illustrator-card-guinness-world-record-goldin-auctions-16-million-usd-sale-001.jpg?w=480&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;fit=max&quot;,&quot;medium&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F02%2F16%2Flogan-paul-pokemon-pikachu-illustrator-card-guinness-world-record-goldin-auctions-16-million-usd-sale-001.jpg?w=720&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;fit=max&quot;,&quot;large&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F02%2F16%2Flogan-paul-pokemon-pikachu-illustrator-card-guinness-world-record-goldin-auctions-16-million-usd-sale-001.jpg?w=1080&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;fit=max&quot;,&quot;xlarge&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F02%2F16%2Flogan-paul-pokemon-pikachu-illustrator-card-guinness-world-record-goldin-auctions-16-million-usd-sale-001.jpg?w=1440&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;fit=max&quot;,&quot;full&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F02%2F16%2Flogan-paul-pokemon-pikachu-illustrator-card-guinness-world-record-goldin-auctions-16-million-usd-sale-001.jpg?w=1440&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;fit=max&quot;},&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/hypebeast.com\/image\/2026\/02\/16\/logan-paul-pokemon-pikachu-illustrator-card-guinness-world-record-goldin-auctions-16-million-usd-sale-001.jpg&quot;,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;Logan Paul's Pikachu Illustrator Card Sells for Record-Breaking $16.49 Million USD pokemon trading cards guinness world records&quot;,&quot;width&quot;:1400,&quot;height&quot;:933,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Logan Paul&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;creditKey&quot;:&quot;general&quot;,&quot;description&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;annotations&quot;:null,&quot;shop&quot;:{&quot;url&quot;:null,&quot;label&quot;:&quot;Shop Now&quot;}}]\">\n<div class=\"carousel-cell landscape\" data-gallery-index=\"1\">\n<div class=\"carousel-cell-inner-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"carousel-cell-image-wrapper annotation-container fixed-ratio-3-2\">\n<p>                                                                <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"carousel-cell-image\" src=\"https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F02%2F16%2Flogan-paul-pokemon-pikachu-illustrator-card-guinness-world-record-goldin-auctions-16-million-usd-sale-001.jpg?q=75&amp;w=800&amp;cbr=1&amp;fit=max\" alt=\"Logan Paul's Pikachu Illustrator Card Sells for Record-Breaking $16.49 Million USD pokemon trading cards guinness world records\"><\/p><\/div>\n<p>                        <span class=\"gallery-image-index\"><span class=\"sprite-gallery-expand\"><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"gallery-meta-container credit-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"spacer\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"credit \">Logan Paul<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"post-body-top-bar\" class=\"post-body-top-bar d-block d-lg-none\">\n<div class=\"row\">\n<div class=\"post-body-top-bar-share-meta-container\">\n<div class=\"post-body-top-bar-meta\">\n                                                    <span class=\"post-body-top-bar-category\"><\/p>\n<p>    Gaming<br \/>\n                                                    <\/span><br \/>\n                                                                <span class=\"post-body-top-bar-published\"><br \/>\n                                                                <time>Feb 16, 2026<\/time><\/p>\n<p>                                                    <\/span>\n                                                            <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-top-bar-hype-comments-container \">\n<p>                <span class=\"hype-count yellow\"><br \/>\n             5.9K<br \/>\n    <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"floating-tooltip\" role=\"tooltip\">\n                    <span>Views<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"floating-arrow\"><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>                                                                <span class=\"disqus-comment-count\"><span class=\"icon icon-comment\"><\/span><span>1<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"d-none d-none text\">Comments<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"floating-tooltip\" role=\"tooltip\"><span>Comments<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"floating-arrow\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>            <span class=\"bookmark-icon\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"bookmark-svg\">\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><br \/>\n            <span class=\"text\">Save<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-content\">\n<p><strong>Summary<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Logan Paul\u2019s rare \u201cPikachu Illustrator\u201d card has sold for $16.49 million USD at Goldin Auctions<\/li>\n<li>The card is the only known copy in existence graded PSA Gem Mint 10 and the sale sets a new world record for the most expensive trading card ever sold at auction<\/li>\n<li>The winning bidder, identified as A.J. Scaramucci, received the card personally from Paul, along with a custom diamond-encrusted pendant<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The \u201cHoly Grail\u201d of Pok\u00e9mon cards has officially ascended to new heights. Logan Paul\u2018s famed Pikachu Illustrator card sold for a staggering $16,492,000 USD early Monday morning, obliterating previous records to become the most expensive trading card ever sold at auction. The sale, hosted by Goldin Auctions, saw the pristine PSA 10 card fetch more than three times what the WWE superstar originally paid for it in 2021, cementing its status as the ultimate collectible asset.<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"inner-container\">\n<div class=\"inner-content\">\n<div class=\"adunit-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"in-content-ad-outer\">\n<p><!-- Tag ID: HBENGLOB_ATF_INCONTENT --><\/p>\n<div class=\"adunit in-content lazy-load no-init\" data-freestar-ad=\"__300x250\" data-adunit=\"HBENGLOB_ATF_INCONTENT\" data-targeting='{\"HBSiteLoc\":[\"ros\",\"article\"],\"HBSiteCat\":[\"gaming\",\"guinness-world-record\",\"guinness-world-records\",\"pokemon\",\"logan-paul\",\"goldin-auctions\",\"trading-cards\",\"goldin\",\"lifestyle\"],\"HBSitePage\":\"0\",\"HBSiteLang\":\"en\",\"country\":\"ro\",\"region\":\"emea\",\"subRegion\":\"europe\",\"HBArticle\":6674022,\"HBBlacklist\":\"1\"}'><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The Pikachu Illustrator is widely considered the rarest Pok\u00e9mon card in the world. Originally released in 1998 as a prize for an illustration contest by CoroCoro Comic, only 39 copies were officially distributed. Paul\u2019s specific copy is unique even among that exclusive group: it is the only one in the world to receive a perfect Gem Mint 10 grading from PSA. The card features artwork by Atsuko Nishida, the original designer of Pikachu, and is distinct for its unique \u201cIllustrator\u201d header and pen icon.\n<\/p>\n<p>Logan Paul purchased the card in a private sale in 2021 for $5.275 million USD \u2014 a Guinness World Record at the time. He famously turned the collectible into a pop-culture moment by wearing it on a custom diamond chain to his WWE debut at WrestleMania 38. That same chain, valued at approximately $80,000 uSD, was included in the auction lot.\n<\/p>\n<p>The auction concluded after a fierce bidding war, with the final price reaching $13.3 million USD before the buyer\u2019s premium brought the total to nearly $16.5 million USD. Reports identified the winning bidder as A.J. Scaramucci, son of financier Anthony Scaramucci, who was present to receive the card directly from Paul in a publicized handover. According to the Guinness World Records which had a representative at the livestream Paul hosted alongside Goldin for the sale, this card now holds \u201ca new record title not only for the most expensive Pok\u00e9mon card ever sold at auction but also the overall record for the most expensive trading card ever sold at auction.\u201d\n<\/p>\n<p>This sale redefines the ceiling for the trading card market, surpassing the previous auction record held by a 1952 Mickey Mantle card. It marks a massive return on investment for Paul and highlights the continued explosion of high-end alternative assets.\n<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Logan Paul\u2019s Pikachu Illustrator has OFFICIALLY sold for $16,492,000\n<\/p>\n<p>\u201cA new record title not only for the most expensive Pokemon card ever sold at auction but also the overall record for the most expensive trading card EVER sold at auction\u201d pic.twitter.com\/uxLFqp0irQ\n<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Jack (@Jackkk) February 16, 2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<div class=\"show-article\">\n<p>                                                            Read Full Article<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<footer>\n<div class=\"article-email-signup-wrapper impression-tracker\">\n<h3>We got you covered. Don\u2019t miss out on the latest news by signing up for our newsletters.<\/h3>\n<div class=\"widget-newsletter-form\">\n<div class=\"hb-input-group\"><\/div>\n<p class=\"errors\">\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"terms\">By subscribing, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-author d-block d-lg-none\">\n<hr class=\"sidebar-divider share-divider\">\n<h6>Text By<\/h6>\n<p>        <span class=\"author-name\">Joyce Li<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-share d-block d-lg-none\">\n<hr class=\"sidebar-divider\">\n<h6>Share this article<\/h6>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-content-tags\">\n<div class=\"body collapsed\">\n<p>    Guinness World RecordGuinness World RecordsPok\u00e9monLogan PaulGoldin Auctionstrading cardsGoldin\n                                                            <\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"teads-adcall\"><\/div>\n<div data-adunit=\"HBENGLOB_BTF_POLL\" class=\"adunit ad-poll\" data-freestar-ad=\"__1x1 __2x2\" data-targeting='{\"HBSiteLoc\":[\"category\",\"ros\"],\"HBSiteCat\":[\"logan-paul-pokemon-pikachu-illustrator-card-guinness-world-record-goldin-auctions-16-million-usd-sale\"],\"HBSitePage\":\"0\",\"HBSiteLang\":\"en\",\"country\":\"ro\",\"region\":\"emea\",\"subRegion\":\"europe\",\"adPosition\":[\"bottom\"],\"sortable\":\"false\"}'><\/div>\n<\/footer>\n<div class=\"sponsored-content row\">\n<div class=\"aftercontent-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"aftercontent-clipper\">\n<div class=\"aftercontent-inner\">\n            <!-- Tag ID: HBENGLOB_BTF_AFTERCONTENT --><\/p>\n<div class=\"post-article adunit sticky-post aftercontent\" data-freestar-ad=\"__300x250\" data-adunit=\"HBENGLOB_BTF_AFTERCONTENT\" data-targeting='{\"HBSiteLoc\":[\"ros\",\"article\"],\"HBSiteCat\":[\"gaming\",\"guinness-world-record\",\"guinness-world-records\",\"pokemon\",\"logan-paul\",\"goldin-auctions\",\"trading-cards\",\"goldin\",\"lifestyle\"],\"HBSitePage\":\"0\",\"HBSiteLang\":\"en\",\"country\":\"ro\",\"region\":\"emea\",\"subRegion\":\"europe\",\"HBArticle\":6674022,\"HBBlacklist\":\"1\"}'><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/article><\/div>\n<div id=\"post-footer\" class=\"post-footer row\">\n<div class=\"col-shopping-break\">\n<div class=\"shopping-break-container feedbreak-grid-layout\">\n<div class=\"adunit ad-shopping-break\" data-adunit=\"HBEN_SHOP_BREAK\" data-targeting='{\"HBSiteLoc\":[\"ros\",\"article\"],\"HBSiteCat\":[\"gaming\",\"guinness-world-record\",\"guinness-world-records\",\"pokemon\",\"logan-paul\",\"goldin-auctions\",\"trading-cards\",\"goldin\",\"lifestyle\"],\"HBSitePage\":\"0\",\"HBSiteLang\":\"en\",\"country\":\"gb\",\"region\":\"emea\",\"subRegion\":\"europe\",\"HBArticle\":6674022,\"HBBlacklist\":\"1\"}' data-sortable=\"false\" data-outofpage=\"true\"><\/div>\n<div id=\"shopping-break-6674022\" class=\"shopping-break-wrapper\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<hr>\n<p><!-- cached at 2026-03-03T05:50:09-05:00 --><\/div>\n<div class=\"col-comments\">\n<div id=\"comments\" class=\"post-comments none \">\n<header>\n<div class=\"heading\">\n                    <span class=\"comment-count\">0<\/span> <span>Comments<\/span>\n                <\/div>\n<div class=\"comment-dropdown-tooltip\">\n<ul>\n<li>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"comment-dropdown-arrow\"><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/header><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"row post-body\">\n<aside class=\"post-body-sidebar\">\n<div class=\"post-body-sidebar-upper\">\n<div class=\"post-body-sidebar-category d-none d-lg-block\">\n<p>    Gaming\n                                                                                                    <\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-sidebar-published d-none d-lg-block\">\n                                                                                                                    <time>Feb 16, 2026<\/time><\/p><\/div>\n<ul class=\"post-body-sidebar-hype-comments-container list-unstyled d-none d-lg-block\">\n<li>\n<p>                <span class=\"hype-count yellow\"><br \/>\n             5.9K<br \/>\n    <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"floating-tooltip\" role=\"tooltip\">\n                    <span>Views<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"floating-arrow\"><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n                                                                                                                                <span class=\"disqus-comment-count\"><span class=\"icon icon-comment\"><\/span><span>1<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"d-none d-sm-inline text\">Comments<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"floating-tooltip\" role=\"tooltip\"><span>Comments<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"floating-arrow\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>            <span class=\"bookmark-icon\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"bookmark-svg\">\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><br \/>\n            <span class=\"text\">Save<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"post-body-sidebar-author d-none d-lg-block\">\n<hr class=\"sidebar-divider share-divider\">\n<h6>Text By<\/h6>\n<p>        <span class=\"author-name\">Joyce Li<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<hr class=\"sidebar-divider d-none d-lg-block\">\n<div class=\"post-body-sidebar-share d-none d-lg-block\">\n<h6>Share this article<\/h6>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<article class=\"post-body-article\">\n<div class=\"post-gallery-container small inner-media\">\n<div class=\"gallery-container post-gallery-contain\">\n<div class=\"hb-gallery before-booted full-screen-enabled only-one-cell \" data-images=\"[{&quot;image&quot;:{&quot;description&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;image_caption&quot;:null,&quot;small&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F02%2F16%2Flogan-paul-pokemon-pikachu-illustrator-card-guinness-world-record-goldin-auctions-16-million-usd-sale-001.jpg?w=480&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;fit=max&quot;,&quot;medium&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F02%2F16%2Flogan-paul-pokemon-pikachu-illustrator-card-guinness-world-record-goldin-auctions-16-million-usd-sale-001.jpg?w=720&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;fit=max&quot;,&quot;large&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F02%2F16%2Flogan-paul-pokemon-pikachu-illustrator-card-guinness-world-record-goldin-auctions-16-million-usd-sale-001.jpg?w=1080&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;fit=max&quot;,&quot;xlarge&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F02%2F16%2Flogan-paul-pokemon-pikachu-illustrator-card-guinness-world-record-goldin-auctions-16-million-usd-sale-001.jpg?w=1440&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;fit=max&quot;,&quot;full&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F02%2F16%2Flogan-paul-pokemon-pikachu-illustrator-card-guinness-world-record-goldin-auctions-16-million-usd-sale-001.jpg?w=1440&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;fit=max&quot;},&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/hypebeast.com\/image\/2026\/02\/16\/logan-paul-pokemon-pikachu-illustrator-card-guinness-world-record-goldin-auctions-16-million-usd-sale-001.jpg&quot;,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;Logan Paul's Pikachu Illustrator Card Sells for Record-Breaking $16.49 Million USD pokemon trading cards guinness world records&quot;,&quot;width&quot;:1400,&quot;height&quot;:933,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Logan Paul&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;creditKey&quot;:&quot;general&quot;,&quot;description&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;annotations&quot;:null,&quot;shop&quot;:{&quot;url&quot;:null,&quot;label&quot;:&quot;Shop Now&quot;}}]\">\n<div class=\"carousel-cell landscape\" data-gallery-index=\"1\">\n<div class=\"carousel-cell-inner-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"carousel-cell-image-wrapper annotation-container fixed-ratio-3-2\">\n<p>                                                                <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"carousel-cell-image\" src=\"https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F02%2F16%2Flogan-paul-pokemon-pikachu-illustrator-card-guinness-world-record-goldin-auctions-16-million-usd-sale-001.jpg?q=75&amp;w=800&amp;cbr=1&amp;fit=max\" alt=\"Logan Paul's Pikachu Illustrator Card Sells for Record-Breaking $16.49 Million USD pokemon trading cards guinness world records\"><\/p><\/div>\n<p>                        <span class=\"gallery-image-index\"><span class=\"sprite-gallery-expand\"><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"gallery-meta-container credit-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"spacer\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"credit \">Logan Paul<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"post-body-top-bar\" class=\"post-body-top-bar d-block d-lg-none\">\n<div class=\"row\">\n<div class=\"post-body-top-bar-share-meta-container\">\n<div class=\"post-body-top-bar-meta\">\n                                                    <span class=\"post-body-top-bar-category\"><\/p>\n<p>    Gaming<br \/>\n                                                    <\/span><br \/>\n                                                                <span class=\"post-body-top-bar-published\"><br \/>\n                                                                <time>Feb 16, 2026<\/time><\/p>\n<p>                                                    <\/span>\n                                                            <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-top-bar-hype-comments-container \">\n<p>                <span class=\"hype-count yellow\"><br \/>\n             5.9K<br \/>\n    <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"floating-tooltip\" role=\"tooltip\">\n                    <span>Views<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"floating-arrow\"><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>                                                                <span class=\"disqus-comment-count\"><span class=\"icon icon-comment\"><\/span><span>1<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"d-none d-none text\">Comments<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"floating-tooltip\" role=\"tooltip\"><span>Comments<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"floating-arrow\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>            <span class=\"bookmark-icon\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"bookmark-svg\">\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><br \/>\n            <span class=\"text\">Save<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-content\">\n<p><strong>Summary<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Logan Paul\u2019s rare \u201cPikachu Illustrator\u201d card has sold for $16.49 million USD at Goldin Auctions<\/li>\n<li>The card is the only known copy in existence graded PSA Gem Mint 10 and the sale sets a new world record for the most expensive trading card ever sold at auction<\/li>\n<li>The winning bidder, identified as A.J. Scaramucci, received the card personally from Paul, along with a custom diamond-encrusted pendant<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The \u201cHoly Grail\u201d of Pok\u00e9mon cards has officially ascended to new heights. Logan Paul\u2018s famed Pikachu Illustrator card sold for a staggering $16,492,000 USD early Monday morning, obliterating previous records to become the most expensive trading card ever sold at auction. The sale, hosted by Goldin Auctions, saw the pristine PSA 10 card fetch more than three times what the WWE superstar originally paid for it in 2021, cementing its status as the ultimate collectible asset.<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"inner-container\">\n<div class=\"inner-content\">\n<div class=\"adunit-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"in-content-ad-outer\">\n<p><!-- Tag ID: HBENGLOB_ATF_INCONTENT --><\/p>\n<div class=\"adunit in-content lazy-load no-init\" data-freestar-ad=\"__300x250\" data-adunit=\"HBENGLOB_ATF_INCONTENT\" data-targeting='{\"HBSiteLoc\":[\"ros\",\"article\"],\"HBSiteCat\":[\"gaming\",\"guinness-world-record\",\"guinness-world-records\",\"pokemon\",\"logan-paul\",\"goldin-auctions\",\"trading-cards\",\"goldin\",\"lifestyle\"],\"HBSitePage\":\"0\",\"HBSiteLang\":\"en\",\"country\":\"ro\",\"region\":\"emea\",\"subRegion\":\"europe\",\"HBArticle\":6674022,\"HBBlacklist\":\"1\"}'><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The Pikachu Illustrator is widely considered the rarest Pok\u00e9mon card in the world. Originally released in 1998 as a prize for an illustration contest by CoroCoro Comic, only 39 copies were officially distributed. Paul\u2019s specific copy is unique even among that exclusive group: it is the only one in the world to receive a perfect Gem Mint 10 grading from PSA. The card features artwork by Atsuko Nishida, the original designer of Pikachu, and is distinct for its unique \u201cIllustrator\u201d header and pen icon.\n<\/p>\n<p>Logan Paul purchased the card in a private sale in 2021 for $5.275 million USD \u2014 a Guinness World Record at the time. He famously turned the collectible into a pop-culture moment by wearing it on a custom diamond chain to his WWE debut at WrestleMania 38. That same chain, valued at approximately $80,000 uSD, was included in the auction lot.\n<\/p>\n<p>The auction concluded after a fierce bidding war, with the final price reaching $13.3 million USD before the buyer\u2019s premium brought the total to nearly $16.5 million USD. Reports identified the winning bidder as A.J. Scaramucci, son of financier Anthony Scaramucci, who was present to receive the card directly from Paul in a publicized handover. According to the Guinness World Records which had a representative at the livestream Paul hosted alongside Goldin for the sale, this card now holds \u201ca new record title not only for the most expensive Pok\u00e9mon card ever sold at auction but also the overall record for the most expensive trading card ever sold at auction.\u201d\n<\/p>\n<p>This sale redefines the ceiling for the trading card market, surpassing the previous auction record held by a 1952 Mickey Mantle card. It marks a massive return on investment for Paul and highlights the continued explosion of high-end alternative assets.\n<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Logan Paul\u2019s Pikachu Illustrator has OFFICIALLY sold for $16,492,000\n<\/p>\n<p>\u201cA new record title not only for the most expensive Pokemon card ever sold at auction but also the overall record for the most expensive trading card EVER sold at auction\u201d pic.twitter.com\/uxLFqp0irQ\n<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Jack (@Jackkk) February 16, 2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<div class=\"show-article\">\n<p>                                                            Read Full Article<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<footer>\n<div class=\"article-email-signup-wrapper impression-tracker\">\n<h3>We got you covered. Don\u2019t miss out on the latest news by signing up for our newsletters.<\/h3>\n<div class=\"widget-newsletter-form\">\n<div class=\"hb-input-group\"><\/div>\n<p class=\"errors\">\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"terms\">By subscribing, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-author d-block d-lg-none\">\n<hr class=\"sidebar-divider share-divider\">\n<h6>Text By<\/h6>\n<p>        <span class=\"author-name\">Joyce Li<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-share d-block d-lg-none\">\n<hr class=\"sidebar-divider\">\n<h6>Share this article<\/h6>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-content-tags\">\n<div class=\"body collapsed\">\n<p>    Guinness World RecordGuinness World RecordsPok\u00e9monLogan PaulGoldin Auctionstrading cardsGoldin\n                                                            <\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"teads-adcall\"><\/div>\n<div data-adunit=\"HBENGLOB_BTF_POLL\" class=\"adunit ad-poll\" data-freestar-ad=\"__1x1 __2x2\" data-targeting='{\"HBSiteLoc\":[\"category\",\"ros\"],\"HBSiteCat\":[\"logan-paul-pokemon-pikachu-illustrator-card-guinness-world-record-goldin-auctions-16-million-usd-sale\"],\"HBSitePage\":\"0\",\"HBSiteLang\":\"en\",\"country\":\"ro\",\"region\":\"emea\",\"subRegion\":\"europe\",\"adPosition\":[\"bottom\"],\"sortable\":\"false\"}'><\/div>\n<\/footer>\n<div class=\"sponsored-content row\">\n<div class=\"aftercontent-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"aftercontent-clipper\">\n<div class=\"aftercontent-inner\">\n            <!-- Tag ID: HBENGLOB_BTF_AFTERCONTENT --><\/p>\n<div class=\"post-article adunit sticky-post aftercontent\" data-freestar-ad=\"__300x250\" data-adunit=\"HBENGLOB_BTF_AFTERCONTENT\" data-targeting='{\"HBSiteLoc\":[\"ros\",\"article\"],\"HBSiteCat\":[\"gaming\",\"guinness-world-record\",\"guinness-world-records\",\"pokemon\",\"logan-paul\",\"goldin-auctions\",\"trading-cards\",\"goldin\",\"lifestyle\"],\"HBSitePage\":\"0\",\"HBSiteLang\":\"en\",\"country\":\"ro\",\"region\":\"emea\",\"subRegion\":\"europe\",\"HBArticle\":6674022,\"HBBlacklist\":\"1\"}'><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/article><\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-sidebar-upper\">\n<div class=\"post-body-sidebar-category d-none d-lg-block\">\n<p>    Gaming\n                                                                                                    <\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-sidebar-published d-none d-lg-block\">\n                                                                                                                    <time>Feb 16, 2026<\/time><\/p><\/div>\n<ul class=\"post-body-sidebar-hype-comments-container list-unstyled d-none d-lg-block\">\n<li>\n<p>                <span class=\"hype-count yellow\"><br \/>\n             5.9K<br \/>\n    <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"floating-tooltip\" role=\"tooltip\">\n                    <span>Views<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"floating-arrow\"><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n                                                                                                                                <span class=\"disqus-comment-count\"><span class=\"icon icon-comment\"><\/span><span>1<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"d-none d-sm-inline text\">Comments<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"floating-tooltip\" role=\"tooltip\"><span>Comments<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"floating-arrow\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>            <span class=\"bookmark-icon\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"bookmark-svg\">\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><br \/>\n            <span class=\"text\">Save<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"post-body-sidebar-author d-none d-lg-block\">\n<hr class=\"sidebar-divider share-divider\">\n<h6>Text By<\/h6>\n<p>        <span class=\"author-name\">Joyce Li<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<hr class=\"sidebar-divider d-none d-lg-block\">\n<div class=\"post-body-sidebar-share d-none d-lg-block\">\n<h6>Share this article<\/h6>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-sidebar-category d-none d-lg-block\">\n<p>    Gaming\n                                                                                                    <\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-sidebar-published d-none d-lg-block\">\n                                                                                                                    <time>Feb 16, 2026<\/time><\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-sidebar-author d-none d-lg-block\">\n<hr class=\"sidebar-divider share-divider\">\n<h6>Text By<\/h6>\n<p>        <span class=\"author-name\">Joyce Li<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-sidebar-share d-none d-lg-block\">\n<h6>Share this article<\/h6>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<article class=\"post-body-article\">\n<div class=\"post-gallery-container small inner-media\">\n<div class=\"gallery-container post-gallery-contain\">\n<div class=\"hb-gallery before-booted full-screen-enabled only-one-cell \" data-images=\"[{&quot;image&quot;:{&quot;description&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;image_caption&quot;:null,&quot;small&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F02%2F16%2Flogan-paul-pokemon-pikachu-illustrator-card-guinness-world-record-goldin-auctions-16-million-usd-sale-001.jpg?w=480&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;fit=max&quot;,&quot;medium&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F02%2F16%2Flogan-paul-pokemon-pikachu-illustrator-card-guinness-world-record-goldin-auctions-16-million-usd-sale-001.jpg?w=720&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;fit=max&quot;,&quot;large&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F02%2F16%2Flogan-paul-pokemon-pikachu-illustrator-card-guinness-world-record-goldin-auctions-16-million-usd-sale-001.jpg?w=1080&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;fit=max&quot;,&quot;xlarge&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F02%2F16%2Flogan-paul-pokemon-pikachu-illustrator-card-guinness-world-record-goldin-auctions-16-million-usd-sale-001.jpg?w=1440&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;fit=max&quot;,&quot;full&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F02%2F16%2Flogan-paul-pokemon-pikachu-illustrator-card-guinness-world-record-goldin-auctions-16-million-usd-sale-001.jpg?w=1440&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;fit=max&quot;},&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/hypebeast.com\/image\/2026\/02\/16\/logan-paul-pokemon-pikachu-illustrator-card-guinness-world-record-goldin-auctions-16-million-usd-sale-001.jpg&quot;,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;Logan Paul's Pikachu Illustrator Card Sells for Record-Breaking $16.49 Million USD pokemon trading cards guinness world records&quot;,&quot;width&quot;:1400,&quot;height&quot;:933,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Logan Paul&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;creditKey&quot;:&quot;general&quot;,&quot;description&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;annotations&quot;:null,&quot;shop&quot;:{&quot;url&quot;:null,&quot;label&quot;:&quot;Shop Now&quot;}}]\">\n<div class=\"carousel-cell landscape\" data-gallery-index=\"1\">\n<div class=\"carousel-cell-inner-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"carousel-cell-image-wrapper annotation-container fixed-ratio-3-2\">\n<p>                                                                <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"carousel-cell-image\" src=\"https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F02%2F16%2Flogan-paul-pokemon-pikachu-illustrator-card-guinness-world-record-goldin-auctions-16-million-usd-sale-001.jpg?q=75&amp;w=800&amp;cbr=1&amp;fit=max\" alt=\"Logan Paul's Pikachu Illustrator Card Sells for Record-Breaking $16.49 Million USD pokemon trading cards guinness world records\"><\/p><\/div>\n<p>                        <span class=\"gallery-image-index\"><span class=\"sprite-gallery-expand\"><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"gallery-meta-container credit-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"spacer\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"credit \">Logan Paul<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"post-body-top-bar\" class=\"post-body-top-bar d-block d-lg-none\">\n<div class=\"row\">\n<div class=\"post-body-top-bar-share-meta-container\">\n<div class=\"post-body-top-bar-meta\">\n                                                    <span class=\"post-body-top-bar-category\"><\/p>\n<p>    Gaming<br \/>\n                                                    <\/span><br \/>\n                                                                <span class=\"post-body-top-bar-published\"><br \/>\n                                                                <time>Feb 16, 2026<\/time><\/p>\n<p>                                                    <\/span>\n                                                            <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-top-bar-hype-comments-container \">\n<p>                <span class=\"hype-count yellow\"><br \/>\n             5.9K<br \/>\n    <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"floating-tooltip\" role=\"tooltip\">\n                    <span>Views<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"floating-arrow\"><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>                                                                <span class=\"disqus-comment-count\"><span class=\"icon icon-comment\"><\/span><span>1<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"d-none d-none text\">Comments<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"floating-tooltip\" role=\"tooltip\"><span>Comments<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"floating-arrow\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>            <span class=\"bookmark-icon\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"bookmark-svg\">\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><br \/>\n            <span class=\"text\">Save<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-content\">\n<p><strong>Summary<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Logan Paul\u2019s rare \u201cPikachu Illustrator\u201d card has sold for $16.49 million USD at Goldin Auctions<\/li>\n<li>The card is the only known copy in existence graded PSA Gem Mint 10 and the sale sets a new world record for the most expensive trading card ever sold at auction<\/li>\n<li>The winning bidder, identified as A.J. Scaramucci, received the card personally from Paul, along with a custom diamond-encrusted pendant<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The \u201cHoly Grail\u201d of Pok\u00e9mon cards has officially ascended to new heights. Logan Paul\u2018s famed Pikachu Illustrator card sold for a staggering $16,492,000 USD early Monday morning, obliterating previous records to become the most expensive trading card ever sold at auction. The sale, hosted by Goldin Auctions, saw the pristine PSA 10 card fetch more than three times what the WWE superstar originally paid for it in 2021, cementing its status as the ultimate collectible asset.<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"inner-container\">\n<div class=\"inner-content\">\n<div class=\"adunit-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"in-content-ad-outer\">\n<p><!-- Tag ID: HBENGLOB_ATF_INCONTENT --><\/p>\n<div class=\"adunit in-content lazy-load no-init\" data-freestar-ad=\"__300x250\" data-adunit=\"HBENGLOB_ATF_INCONTENT\" data-targeting='{\"HBSiteLoc\":[\"ros\",\"article\"],\"HBSiteCat\":[\"gaming\",\"guinness-world-record\",\"guinness-world-records\",\"pokemon\",\"logan-paul\",\"goldin-auctions\",\"trading-cards\",\"goldin\",\"lifestyle\"],\"HBSitePage\":\"0\",\"HBSiteLang\":\"en\",\"country\":\"ro\",\"region\":\"emea\",\"subRegion\":\"europe\",\"HBArticle\":6674022,\"HBBlacklist\":\"1\"}'><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The Pikachu Illustrator is widely considered the rarest Pok\u00e9mon card in the world. Originally released in 1998 as a prize for an illustration contest by CoroCoro Comic, only 39 copies were officially distributed. Paul\u2019s specific copy is unique even among that exclusive group: it is the only one in the world to receive a perfect Gem Mint 10 grading from PSA. The card features artwork by Atsuko Nishida, the original designer of Pikachu, and is distinct for its unique \u201cIllustrator\u201d header and pen icon.\n<\/p>\n<p>Logan Paul purchased the card in a private sale in 2021 for $5.275 million USD \u2014 a Guinness World Record at the time. He famously turned the collectible into a pop-culture moment by wearing it on a custom diamond chain to his WWE debut at WrestleMania 38. That same chain, valued at approximately $80,000 uSD, was included in the auction lot.\n<\/p>\n<p>The auction concluded after a fierce bidding war, with the final price reaching $13.3 million USD before the buyer\u2019s premium brought the total to nearly $16.5 million USD. Reports identified the winning bidder as A.J. Scaramucci, son of financier Anthony Scaramucci, who was present to receive the card directly from Paul in a publicized handover. According to the Guinness World Records which had a representative at the livestream Paul hosted alongside Goldin for the sale, this card now holds \u201ca new record title not only for the most expensive Pok\u00e9mon card ever sold at auction but also the overall record for the most expensive trading card ever sold at auction.\u201d\n<\/p>\n<p>This sale redefines the ceiling for the trading card market, surpassing the previous auction record held by a 1952 Mickey Mantle card. It marks a massive return on investment for Paul and highlights the continued explosion of high-end alternative assets.\n<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Logan Paul\u2019s Pikachu Illustrator has OFFICIALLY sold for $16,492,000\n<\/p>\n<p>\u201cA new record title not only for the most expensive Pokemon card ever sold at auction but also the overall record for the most expensive trading card EVER sold at auction\u201d pic.twitter.com\/uxLFqp0irQ\n<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Jack (@Jackkk) February 16, 2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<div class=\"show-article\">\n<p>                                                            Read Full Article<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<footer>\n<div class=\"article-email-signup-wrapper impression-tracker\">\n<h3>We got you covered. Don\u2019t miss out on the latest news by signing up for our newsletters.<\/h3>\n<div class=\"widget-newsletter-form\">\n<div class=\"hb-input-group\"><\/div>\n<p class=\"errors\">\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"terms\">By subscribing, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-author d-block d-lg-none\">\n<hr class=\"sidebar-divider share-divider\">\n<h6>Text By<\/h6>\n<p>        <span class=\"author-name\">Joyce Li<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-share d-block d-lg-none\">\n<hr class=\"sidebar-divider\">\n<h6>Share this article<\/h6>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-content-tags\">\n<div class=\"body collapsed\">\n<p>    Guinness World RecordGuinness World RecordsPok\u00e9monLogan PaulGoldin Auctionstrading cardsGoldin\n                                                            <\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"teads-adcall\"><\/div>\n<div data-adunit=\"HBENGLOB_BTF_POLL\" class=\"adunit ad-poll\" data-freestar-ad=\"__1x1 __2x2\" data-targeting='{\"HBSiteLoc\":[\"category\",\"ros\"],\"HBSiteCat\":[\"logan-paul-pokemon-pikachu-illustrator-card-guinness-world-record-goldin-auctions-16-million-usd-sale\"],\"HBSitePage\":\"0\",\"HBSiteLang\":\"en\",\"country\":\"ro\",\"region\":\"emea\",\"subRegion\":\"europe\",\"adPosition\":[\"bottom\"],\"sortable\":\"false\"}'><\/div>\n<\/footer>\n<div class=\"sponsored-content row\">\n<div class=\"aftercontent-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"aftercontent-clipper\">\n<div class=\"aftercontent-inner\">\n            <!-- Tag ID: HBENGLOB_BTF_AFTERCONTENT --><\/p>\n<div class=\"post-article adunit sticky-post aftercontent\" data-freestar-ad=\"__300x250\" data-adunit=\"HBENGLOB_BTF_AFTERCONTENT\" data-targeting='{\"HBSiteLoc\":[\"ros\",\"article\"],\"HBSiteCat\":[\"gaming\",\"guinness-world-record\",\"guinness-world-records\",\"pokemon\",\"logan-paul\",\"goldin-auctions\",\"trading-cards\",\"goldin\",\"lifestyle\"],\"HBSitePage\":\"0\",\"HBSiteLang\":\"en\",\"country\":\"ro\",\"region\":\"emea\",\"subRegion\":\"europe\",\"HBArticle\":6674022,\"HBBlacklist\":\"1\"}'><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div id=\"post-body-top-bar\" class=\"post-body-top-bar d-block d-lg-none\">\n<div class=\"row\">\n<div class=\"post-body-top-bar-share-meta-container\">\n<div class=\"post-body-top-bar-meta\">\n                                                    <span class=\"post-body-top-bar-category\"><\/p>\n<p>    Gaming<br \/>\n                                                    <\/span><br \/>\n                                                                <span class=\"post-body-top-bar-published\"><br \/>\n                                                                <time>Feb 16, 2026<\/time><\/p>\n<p>                                                    <\/span>\n                                                            <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-top-bar-hype-comments-container \">\n<p>                <span class=\"hype-count yellow\"><br \/>\n             5.9K<br \/>\n    <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"floating-tooltip\" role=\"tooltip\">\n                    <span>Views<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"floating-arrow\"><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>                                                                <span class=\"disqus-comment-count\"><span class=\"icon icon-comment\"><\/span><span>1<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"d-none d-none text\">Comments<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"floating-tooltip\" role=\"tooltip\"><span>Comments<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"floating-arrow\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>            <span class=\"bookmark-icon\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"bookmark-svg\">\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><br \/>\n            <span class=\"text\">Save<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-top-bar-share-meta-container\">\n<div class=\"post-body-top-bar-meta\">\n                                                    <span class=\"post-body-top-bar-category\"><\/p>\n<p>    Gaming<br \/>\n                                                    <\/span><br \/>\n                                                                <span class=\"post-body-top-bar-published\"><br \/>\n                                                                <time>Feb 16, 2026<\/time><\/p>\n<p>                                                    <\/span>\n                                                            <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-top-bar-meta\">\n                                                    <span class=\"post-body-top-bar-category\"><\/p>\n<p>    Gaming<br \/>\n                                                    <\/span><br \/>\n                                                                <span class=\"post-body-top-bar-published\"><br \/>\n                                                                <time>Feb 16, 2026<\/time><\/p>\n<p>                                                    <\/span>\n                                                            <\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-top-bar-hype-comments-container \">\n<p>                <span class=\"hype-count yellow\"><br \/>\n             5.9K<br \/>\n    <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"floating-tooltip\" role=\"tooltip\">\n                    <span>Views<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"floating-arrow\"><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>                                                                <span class=\"disqus-comment-count\"><span class=\"icon icon-comment\"><\/span><span>1<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"d-none d-none text\">Comments<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"floating-tooltip\" role=\"tooltip\"><span>Comments<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"floating-arrow\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>            <span class=\"bookmark-icon\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"bookmark-svg\">\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><br \/>\n            <span class=\"text\">Save<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-content\">\n<p><strong>Summary<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Logan Paul\u2019s rare \u201cPikachu Illustrator\u201d card has sold for $16.49 million USD at Goldin Auctions<\/li>\n<li>The card is the only known copy in existence graded PSA Gem Mint 10 and the sale sets a new world record for the most expensive trading card ever sold at auction<\/li>\n<li>The winning bidder, identified as A.J. Scaramucci, received the card personally from Paul, along with a custom diamond-encrusted pendant<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The \u201cHoly Grail\u201d of Pok\u00e9mon cards has officially ascended to new heights. Logan Paul\u2018s famed Pikachu Illustrator card sold for a staggering $16,492,000 USD early Monday morning, obliterating previous records to become the most expensive trading card ever sold at auction. The sale, hosted by Goldin Auctions, saw the pristine PSA 10 card fetch more than three times what the WWE superstar originally paid for it in 2021, cementing its status as the ultimate collectible asset.<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"inner-container\">\n<div class=\"inner-content\">\n<div class=\"adunit-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"in-content-ad-outer\">\n<p><!-- Tag ID: HBENGLOB_ATF_INCONTENT --><\/p>\n<div class=\"adunit in-content lazy-load no-init\" data-freestar-ad=\"__300x250\" data-adunit=\"HBENGLOB_ATF_INCONTENT\" data-targeting='{\"HBSiteLoc\":[\"ros\",\"article\"],\"HBSiteCat\":[\"gaming\",\"guinness-world-record\",\"guinness-world-records\",\"pokemon\",\"logan-paul\",\"goldin-auctions\",\"trading-cards\",\"goldin\",\"lifestyle\"],\"HBSitePage\":\"0\",\"HBSiteLang\":\"en\",\"country\":\"ro\",\"region\":\"emea\",\"subRegion\":\"europe\",\"HBArticle\":6674022,\"HBBlacklist\":\"1\"}'><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The Pikachu Illustrator is widely considered the rarest Pok\u00e9mon card in the world. Originally released in 1998 as a prize for an illustration contest by CoroCoro Comic, only 39 copies were officially distributed. Paul\u2019s specific copy is unique even among that exclusive group: it is the only one in the world to receive a perfect Gem Mint 10 grading from PSA. The card features artwork by Atsuko Nishida, the original designer of Pikachu, and is distinct for its unique \u201cIllustrator\u201d header and pen icon.\n<\/p>\n<p>Logan Paul purchased the card in a private sale in 2021 for $5.275 million USD \u2014 a Guinness World Record at the time. He famously turned the collectible into a pop-culture moment by wearing it on a custom diamond chain to his WWE debut at WrestleMania 38. That same chain, valued at approximately $80,000 uSD, was included in the auction lot.\n<\/p>\n<p>The auction concluded after a fierce bidding war, with the final price reaching $13.3 million USD before the buyer\u2019s premium brought the total to nearly $16.5 million USD. Reports identified the winning bidder as A.J. Scaramucci, son of financier Anthony Scaramucci, who was present to receive the card directly from Paul in a publicized handover. According to the Guinness World Records which had a representative at the livestream Paul hosted alongside Goldin for the sale, this card now holds \u201ca new record title not only for the most expensive Pok\u00e9mon card ever sold at auction but also the overall record for the most expensive trading card ever sold at auction.\u201d\n<\/p>\n<p>This sale redefines the ceiling for the trading card market, surpassing the previous auction record held by a 1952 Mickey Mantle card. It marks a massive return on investment for Paul and highlights the continued explosion of high-end alternative assets.\n<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Logan Paul\u2019s Pikachu Illustrator has OFFICIALLY sold for $16,492,000\n<\/p>\n<p>\u201cA new record title not only for the most expensive Pokemon card ever sold at auction but also the overall record for the most expensive trading card EVER sold at auction\u201d pic.twitter.com\/uxLFqp0irQ\n<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Jack (@Jackkk) February 16, 2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<div class=\"show-article\">\n<p>                                                            Read Full Article<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-author d-block d-lg-none\">\n<hr class=\"sidebar-divider share-divider\">\n<h6>Text By<\/h6>\n<p>        <span class=\"author-name\">Joyce Li<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-share d-block d-lg-none\">\n<hr class=\"sidebar-divider\">\n<h6>Share this article<\/h6>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-content-tags\">\n<div class=\"body collapsed\">\n<p>    Guinness World RecordGuinness World RecordsPok\u00e9monLogan PaulGoldin Auctionstrading cardsGoldin\n                                                            <\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/hypebeast.com\/2026\/2\/logan-paul-pokemon-pikachu-illustrator-card-guinness-world-record-goldin-auctions-16-million-usd-sale&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F02%2F16%2Flogan-paul-pokemon-pikachu-illustrator-card-guinness-world-record-goldin-auctions-16-million-usd-sale-tw.jpg?w=1080&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;fit=max&#8221;] Gaming Feb 16, 2026 5.9K Views 1\u00a0Comments Comments Save Text By Joyce Li Share this article Logan Paul Gaming Feb 16, 2026 5.9K Views 1\u00a0Comments Comments Save Summary Logan Paul\u2019s rare \u201cPikachu Illustrator\u201d card has sold for $16.49 million USD at Goldin Auctions The card is the only known copy in existence [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,39],"class_list":["post-1803643","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-hypebeast-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1803643","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1803643"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1803643\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1803643"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1803643"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1803643"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}