Logan Paul Scores Stunning Victory With $16.4M Pokémon Card Sale
The world of Pokémon collecting has always had its legends—mythical pulls, impossible odds, and grail-level cards whispered about like campfire stories. But every so often, someone comes along and evolves the whole game. This time, that someone is Logan Paul, and the card is the crown jewel of the Pokémon universe: the Pikachu Illustrator.
With one jaw-dropping sale, Paul didn’t just break a record—he blasted straight through it like a Charizard using Flamethrower.
A Sale That Shook the Pokéverse
If you’ve been anywhere near the collectibles scene, you already know Logan Paul has been treating high-end Pokémon cards like his own personal Elite Four challenge. But even by his standards, this sale was wild.
According to Fox Business, Paul sold his 1998 Japanese Pikachu Illustrator—graded PSA Gem Mint 10—for more than $16.4 million, making it the most expensive trading card ever sold at auction. “Logan Paul’s big bet on Pokémon appeared to have paid off Sunday night,” the outlet reported, noting that it was the only card of its kind to receive such a pristine grade.
This wasn’t just a flex. It was a full-on seismic event in the collectibles world.
The Buyer Behind the Madness
So who drops mansion-level money on a single Pokémon card? Enter AJ Scaramucci, an American venture capitalist who apparently decided catching ’em all includes catching the rarest card on Earth.
As The Tab reported, Scaramucci snagged the card for $16.49 million after a 42-day online bidding war through Goldin Auctions. When asked why he “needed” to win it, Scaramucci simply leaned into the moment—because when you’re buying a piece of franchise history, logic isn’t really the point.
This wasn’t just a purchase. It was a statement.
From $5.2M to $16.4M: Logan Paul’s Legendary Flip
Let’s not forget: Paul originally bought this same Pikachu Illustrator for $5.275 million just a few years ago. That alone was a record at the time. But flipping it for more than triple the price? That’s the kind of evolution even a Pokémon would envy.
Multiple outlets confirmed the staggering profit, with CNN noting that Paul turned a $5.2M investment into a $16.492M sale—cementing his status as the record-holder for the most expensive trading card ever sold.
Love him or hate him, the man knows how to play the collectibles game.
Why This Card Is the Holy Grail
The Pikachu Illustrator isn’t just rare—it’s practically mythic. Only 39 were ever created, awarded to winners of a late-’90s Pokémon illustration contest. Most collectors will never even see one in person, let alone own one.
A PSA 10 version? That’s like finding a shiny Mewtwo in the wild with perfect IVs.
This sale didn’t just break a record—it shattered it. And it sent a message to the entire hobby: the ceiling for the franchise’s collectibles is nowhere in sight.
What This Means for the Future of Pokémon Collecting
Every time Paul makes a move in the franchise‘s space, the ripple effects hit the entire community. Prices spike. Interest surges. Debates ignite. And this sale is no different.
Collectors are already buzzing about what this means for the next wave of high-end auctions. Will more rare cards surface? Will investors flood the market? Will the Pokémon TCG continue its meteoric rise?
If history is any indication, the answer is yes across the board.
A Moment That Will Be Remembered
Whether you’re a lifelong fan of the franchise or someone who just likes watching the chaos unfold, this sale is one for the history books. Paul didn’t just sell a card—he set a new standard for what’s possible in the world of collectibles.
And somewhere out there, a kid opening a booster pack is dreaming a little bigger today.
Because in the Pokémon world, anything can happen—and sometimes, it happens to the tune of $16.4 million.
