Ohio YouTuber's Rare Pokémon Card Sells for Record $16.5M

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A rare Pokémon Pikachu Illustrator trading card owned by Ohio native and internet personality Logan Paul has sold at auction for a record $16.5 million, the highest price ever paid for a trading card. The 1998 card, considered one of the rarest Pokémon cards in the world with fewer than 50 ever made, was purchased by venture capitalist A.J. Scaramucci, son of former White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci.

Why it matters

The sale of Logan Paul's rare Pikachu Illustrator Pokémon card for $16.5 million highlights the continued growth and passion of the Pokémon trading card collecting community, as well as the immense value of the rarest and most sought-after cards. This record-breaking sale demonstrates the high-stakes world of Pokémon card collecting and the potential for massive returns on investment for savvy collectors.

The details

Paul, a Westlake, Ohio native, originally purchased the Pikachu Illustrator card in 2021 for around $5.3 million, which was also a record at the time. The card is graded a perfect PSA 10, meaning it is in pristine condition according to industry experts. The auction, held by Goldin Auctions, lasted over 40 days with bidders from around the world vying for the prized card. In addition to the card itself, the auction also included a custom diamond-encrusted necklace that Paul had previously worn to WrestleMania 38.

• In 2021, Logan Paul purchased the Pikachu Illustrator card for around $5.3 million.
• The record-breaking $16.5 million auction was held by Goldin Auctions and concluded on February 17, 2026.

What’s next

A Guinness World Records representative was present to officially verify the $16.5 million sale as the highest price ever paid for a trading card at auction.