In brief
- A PSA 10 Pikachu Illustrator sold for $16.49 million at Goldin in February 2026.
- It is the most expensive trading card ever sold at auction, per Guinness World Records.
- A PSA 10 1st Edition Base Set Charizard sold for $954,800 in February 2026.
- The Topsun Charizard Blue Back sold for $493,230 in January 2021.
As of October 2026, the most expensive Pokémon card ever sold is a PSA 10 Pikachu Illustrator, which sold at Goldin in February 2026 for $16.49 million, including a diamond necklace. It belonged to Logan Paul and is the most expensive trading card of any kind ever sold at auction, according to Guinness World Records.
Below it, prices drop sharply. A PSA 10 1st Edition Base Set Charizard sold for $954,800 in early 2026, and rare trophy and prototype cards from the late 1990s have sold for $90,000 to $500,000.
Most expensive Pokémon cards at a glance
| Rank | Card | Grade | Price | Sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pikachu Illustrator | PSA 10 | $16,492,000 | Goldin, February 2026 |
| 2 | 1st Edition Charizard (Base Set) | PSA 10 | $954,800 | Goldin, February 2026 |
| 3 | Topsun Charizard Blue Back | PSA 10 | $493,230 | Goldin, January 2021 |
| 4 | No. 2 Trainer Silver Trophy Pikachu | PSA 10 | $444,000 | 2023 |
| 5 | Blastoise Galaxy Star Presentation | CGC 8.5 | $360,000 | Heritage, January 2021 |
| 6 | Ishihara GX Promo (signed) | PSA 7 | $247,230 | Goldin, April 2021 |
| 7 | Kangaskhan Family Event Trophy | PSA 9 | $100,100 | eBay, February 2021 |
| 8 | No. 1 Trainer Super Secret Battle | PSA 10 | $90,000 | Heritage, July 2020 |
| 9 | Lugia 1st Edition Neo Genesis | PSA 10 | Not verified | Collector market |
| 10 | Umbreon Gold Star | PSA 10 | Not verified | Collector market |
1. Pikachu Illustrator: $16.49 million
The Pikachu Illustrator was a prize in illustration contests run by Japanese magazine CoroCoro Comic in 1997 and 1998. Only a few dozen copies were given out, and its artwork is by Pikachu designer Atsuko Nishida. PSA has graded 20 copies, and this is the only PSA 10.
Also readMost Expensive Chocolates in the World 2026: Top 9 RankedLogan Paul bought the card in July 2021 for $5.275 million, made up of $4 million in cash and a PSA 9 Illustrator valued at $1.275 million. He wore it on a necklace at WrestleMania 38 in 2022.
Goldin sold the card, together with that diamond necklace, on 16 February 2026 for $16.492 million after 97 bids, CP24 reported. The hammer price before buyer’s premium was $13 million. See our Jake Paul net worth profile for more on the Paul brothers’ finances.
2. 1st Edition Charizard (Base Set): $954,800
The 1st Edition Shadowless Holo Charizard from the 1999 Base Set is the most recognised Pokémon card. High-grade copies are scarce because many were played with as children.
A PSA 10 copy sold at Goldin in February 2026 for $954,800, according to Luxe Digital. Another PSA 10 sold at Heritage Auctions in December 2025 for $550,000, showing how fast prices for top copies have risen.
3. Topsun Charizard Blue Back: $493,230
Topsun cards were made by a Japanese gum company in 1995, before the trading card game launched. The blue-backed Charizard is a rare print variant without a number on the front.
A PSA 10 copy sold through Goldin in January 2021 for $493,230, which was then a record for a Charizard card.
4. No. 2 Trainer Silver Trophy Pikachu: $444,000
Trophy Pikachu cards were given to the top players in early Japanese tournaments. The silver version went to second-place finishers at the 1998 Pokémon Card Game Official Tournament, making it one of the rarest cards in the game.
A PSA 10 copy sold for $444,000 in 2023, according to auction data compiled by TCG Drop Radar and Luxe Digital.
5. Blastoise Galaxy Star Presentation: $360,000
This Blastoise was a prototype made in 1998 to show Wizards of the Coast how an English-language Pokémon card would look. It has a galaxy star holo pattern and a blank back.
Only two copies are thought to exist. A copy graded CGC 8.5 sold at Heritage Auctions in January 2021 for $360,000.
6. Ishihara GX Promo (signed): $247,230
This 2017 promo card shows Tsunekazu Ishihara, president of The Pokémon Company, holding a Pikachu. It was given only to employees and partners and was never sold to the public.
A copy signed by Ishihara, graded PSA 7 with a 9 autograph grade, sold at Goldin in April 2021 for $247,230.
7. Kangaskhan Family Event Trophy: $100,100
This card was awarded to parent and child teams who took part in a 1998 family event in Japan. It introduced a Kangaskhan holding its baby, matching the event theme.
A PSA 9 copy sold on eBay in February 2021 for $100,100, according to Luxe Digital.
8. No. 1 Trainer Super Secret Battle: $90,000
The No. 1 Trainer card was given to finalists of a 1999 Japanese tournament called the Super Secret Battle. Very few copies were handed out, and most are held by long-time collectors.
A PSA 10 copy sold at Heritage Auctions on 9 July 2020 for $90,000.
9. Lugia 1st Edition Neo Genesis
Lugia from the 2000 Neo Genesis set is one of the most valuable cards from the second generation. 1st Edition holo copies often have centring and print flaws, which makes PSA 10 copies very rare.
Gem mint copies have sold for six-figure sums, but we could not verify a recent sale price, so none is listed.
10. Umbreon Gold Star
The Umbreon Gold Star was released as a promo card in 2005 through POP Series 5 booster packs. Gold Star cards were very rare pulls, and Umbreon is one of the most popular Pokémon among collectors.
High-grade copies trade at strong premiums, but we could not confirm a verified record price for this update.
How we ranked these
We ranked cards by their highest publicly reported sale price, including buyer’s premium where known, using auction house results and records compiled by collector sites. Cards without a verified sale figure are placed last. Prices can change quickly as new auctions close. For another collectible card game, see our list of the most expensive Yu-Gi-Oh cards.
Sources: CP24 (Associated Press), Luxe Digital, TCG Drop Radar.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most expensive Pokémon card ever sold?
The PSA 10 Pikachu Illustrator owned by Logan Paul is the most expensive. It sold at Goldin on 16 February 2026 for $16.492 million, including a diamond necklace. Guinness World Records lists it as the most expensive trading card ever sold at auction.
How much did Logan Paul pay for the Pikachu Illustrator?
Logan Paul acquired the PSA 10 Pikachu Illustrator in July 2021 for $5.275 million. He paid $4 million in cash and traded in a PSA 9 Pikachu Illustrator valued at $1.275 million. He sold it in February 2026 for $16.49 million.
How much is a 1st Edition Charizard worth?
A PSA 10 1st Edition Base Set Charizard sold for $954,800 at Goldin in February 2026, according to Luxe Digital. Another PSA 10 sold for $550,000 at Heritage Auctions in December 2025. Lower grades sell for far less.
Why is the Pikachu Illustrator card so rare?
The Pikachu Illustrator was awarded to winners of CoroCoro Comic illustration contests in Japan in 1997 and 1998, so very few were made. PSA has graded 20 copies, and only one has received a PSA 10 grade.
What makes a Pokémon card valuable?
Value depends on rarity, condition and demand. Tournament prizes, promo cards and early 1st Edition prints are the most valuable. Grading by PSA or CGC matters greatly: a PSA 10 copy can sell for many times more than the same card in lower grade.
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