In a landmark auction, Logan Paul’s rare Pikachu Illustrator Pokémon card sold for $16.4 million at Goldin Auctions, setting a new world record for the most expensive trading card ever sold at auction.

Paul originally bought the card in 2022 for $5.25 million, turning a substantial profit in a few years, after first acquiring it in 2021 for about $5.3 million, a purchase that previously set a Guinness World Record for the most expensive Pokémon card.

The identity of the winning bidder was not disclosed, though several studio attendees actively bid during the livestream.

The card originates from the 1997/98 CoroCoro Comic illustration contest in Japan, featuring artwork by Atsuko Nishida with an Illustrator designation rather than the standard Trainer label.

The sale underscores the growing market and intense interest in rare Pokémon cards among collectors and celebrities.

Pikachu Illustrator is among the rarest and most coveted Pokémon cards, with only 39 copies awarded in 1998, and Paul’s copy is the only one graded PSA 10.

The card’s rarity is extreme, with an estimated 39 copies in existence and a PSA 10 grade that makes this card uniquely flawless.

Paul hints at moving on to his next Pokémon journey, suggesting more high-profile acquisitions could follow.

CNN reported the transaction, reinforcing the card’s status as a premier collectible that surpassed previous records.

The sale occurred in partnership with Goldin Auctions and featured real-time bidding as Paul opened additional Pokémon card packs from other boxes.

The excerpt provides no further substantive details about the buyer, exact sale date, or broader auction context.

Experts say the value could rise further due to rarity, pristine PSA 10 condition, and notable ownership history, likening the card to a Mona Lisa of trading cards.