WORLD RECORD SHATTERED: Logan Paul’s $16.5 Million “Holy Grail” Sale 

The collectibles market just experienced a historic “Pikachu Thunderbolt.” Social media mogul and WWE star Logan Paul has officially sold his PSA 10 Pikachu Illustrator card for an eye-popping $16,492,000, setting a new world record for the most expensive trading card ever sold at auction. This sale obliterates the previous record of $12.9 million, held by a Michael Jordan/Kobe Bryant Logoman card.

Originally awarded to winners of a 1998 Japanese illustration contest, only about 39-41 copies of the Pikachu Illustrator card exist—making it one of the rarest collectibles in the world. While others are still in circulation, Paul’s card is the only one to receive a perfect Gem Mint 10 rating from PSA, further cementing its legendary status.

Logan Paul famously wore the card, encased in a diamond-encrusted pendant worth $80,000, during his 2022 WWE debut at WrestleMania 38, making it a symbol of both his passion for Pokémon and his larger-than-life persona.

The Auction Breakdown 

Paul purchased the coveted card in a private sale in 2021 for $5.275 million. With today’s sale at Goldin Auctions, he’s more than tripled his investment, securing a profit of over $8 million after fees. The winning bidder was A.J. Scaramucci, the son of former White House official Anthony Scaramucci. A.J. plans to feature the card on his new collectibles platform, TreasureTrove.

The final hammer price was a result of a flurry of last-minute offers during the extended bidding window, driving the price into the stratosphere. This sale marks a new chapter for the collectibles world, where iconic pieces like this continue to shatter records and redefine the value of nostalgia and rarity in the modern market.