Pikachu Illustrator PSA 10 sets record at Goldin sale

Logan Paul sold Pikachu Illustrator PSA 10 for $16,492,000

Logan Paul sold the Pikachu Illustrator Pokémon card graded PSA 10 for $16,492,000, marking a historic high-water mark for the hobby. The card received a Gem Mint 10 assessment from Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA).

As reported by AP news, the figure stands as the most expensive trading card sold at auction as of February 16, 2026. The outcome reflects concentrated demand for a singular, marquee asset with global visibility.

Why this Pikachu Illustrator PSA 10 is uniquely valuable

This specific Pikachu Illustrator PSA 10 is uniquely valuable because scarcity, top-tier condition, and well-documented provenance compound one another. A Gem Mint grade maximizes expected buyer confidence and narrows the true peer set.

Independent grading helps standardize condition risk, while celebrity ownership can amplify reach and bidding intensity. Together, those factors help explain why this example cleared prior benchmarks rather than tracking average market moves.

Most expensive trading card: what this means for the market

Becoming the most expensive trading card does not automatically reset pricing for adjacent cards. High-end collectibles trade infrequently, and individual results can deviate sharply from broader index trends.

Reactions underscored the gap between spectacle and signal, with enthusiasm tempered by caution over breadth. Reflecting on the finale, Logan Paul, the card’s seller, said, “this is crazy.”

Market implications and key risks for collectors

Is this a one-off liquidity event or broader trend?

As reported by AInvest, analysts frame the result as a liquidity event anchored in extreme scarcity and provenance, not a new pricing baseline. That view implies limited read-through to typical Pokémon cards.

Risks: illiquidity, authentication, storage and insurance costs

As reported by MarketWatch, key risks include illiquidity, authenticity uncertainties, and non-trivial storage and insurance costs. Some advisors suggest speculative collectibles occupy only a small fraction of diversified portfolios.

FAQ about Logan Paul

Why is the Pikachu Illustrator PSA 10 considered so rare and valuable?

Extreme scarcity plus a PSA 10 Gem Mint grade and high-profile provenance compress supply, concentrate demand, and elevate confidence beyond typical high-end Pokémon issues.

Who verified the record and which auction house handled the sale?

Verified by Guinness World Records; the auction was handled by Goldin Auctions.