Logan Paul Sets New Record with $16 Million Pokémon Card Sale
Logan Paul sold a rare Pikachu Illustrator Pokémon card at auction for a record $16.5M, including his diamond necklace.
Logan Paul Sets New Record with $16 Million Pokémon Card Sale
Internet personality and collector Logan Paul has made history once again by selling his rare Pikachu Illustrator Pokémon card for a record-breaking $16.5 million. The card, one of the rarest in existence, was sold during an online auction that concluded early on February 16, marking the highest price ever paid for a trading card at auction.
The card, which features Pikachu creating art with a paintbrush, was originally purchased by Paul for around $5.3 million less than four years ago. That purchase set its own record at the time for the most expensive Pokémon trading card ever sold in a private sale, as confirmed by Guinness World Records.
A New Milestone in Collectibles
The 42-day online bidding period culminated with Paul livestreaming the final moments of the sale. When the auction officially closed, Paul described the outcome as "absolutely insane." Shortly afterward, Sarah Casson, a Guinness World Records adjudicator, appeared on the livestream to formally recognize the sale as a new world record for the most expensive trading card sold at auction.
As part of the transaction, which totaled $16,492,000 including the buyer's premium, Paul added a unique bonus: the diamond necklace that houses the card itself. The necklace, which Paul wore during WrestleMania 38, features a red and black pave diamond Poké Ball design.
The Buyer’s Ambitious Quest
The card’s new owner, venture capitalist AJ Scaramucci, revealed that the historic purchase is merely the first step in his ambitious "planetary treasure hunt." Scaramucci, the son of former White House Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci, outlined his lofty goals: "I’m on a quest to buy a T-Rex dinosaur fossil, I’m going to buy the Declaration of Independence, and I’m not stopping there. This was only the beginning."
The trio of Paul, Scaramucci, and auction host Ken Goldin posed for a commemorative photo following the sale. In the image, Scaramucci proudly wore the card in its diamond-encrusted necklace, while Paul held a Guinness World Records certificate celebrating the achievement.
From Collector to Record-Setter
Paul’s decision to sell the card was featured in the third season of Goldin’s King of Collectibles: The Goldin Touch. While Paul has long described himself as a collector rather than a reseller, he shared on the show that he could "use the liquidity" to help fund his wedding to Nina Agdal, which took place in August 2025.
The Pikachu Illustrator card itself holds a unique history. Originally issued in a 1998 promotional contest, only 40 copies are known to exist, according to the BBC. This scarcity, combined with its cultural significance, has made it one of the most coveted items in the Pokémon trading card game world.
With this sale, Logan Paul has once again cemented his status as a key figure in the world of high-value collectibles, while pushing the boundaries of what fans and collectors are willing to pay for rare, iconic treasures.