Goldin Auctions recently concluded a Pokémon and trading card auction with a record-breaking sale: a PSA 10 Pikachu Illustrator card owned by Logan Paul sold for $16.492 million. This sale has been officially recognized by Guinness World Records as the highest price ever paid for a trading card at auction.
Guinness-Certified: Goldin Sells Pikachu Illustrator for $16.5M
The internationally known auction house said the Pikachu Illustrator — the only example graded PSA 10 — closed at $16,492,000 after extended bidding that ran into early Monday morning.
The result established a new high for any trading card sold at auction and was certified by Guinness World Records, according to the company. The coveted card had been personally owned by Logan Paul and featured prominently in Season 3 of Netflix’s King of Collectibles: The Goldin Touch.
Ken Goldin, founder and CEO of Goldin, described the night as a landmark moment not just for Pokémon fans, but for all collectors. He emphasized that valuable collectibles continue to rise in value, break records, and connect people through a shared passion.
Paul initially offered to personally deliver the card to the winner. However, the buyer, AJ Scaramucci from Solari Capital, was already at Goldin’s offices, so the deal was completed right after the auction ended.
AJ Scaramucci is the son of Anthony Scaramucci, the Skybridge Capital founder and digital currency advocate. His son’s firm, Solari Capital, also invests in blockchain, crypto, and fintech (including bitcoin‑mining plays such as American Bitcoin).
Paul explained what he loves about collecting: “It’s just incredibly fun!” He especially enjoys the connections he makes with other collectors who share his enthusiasm. He also praised his collaborator, Ken Goldin, saying Ken has had a huge and positive impact on the world of Pokémon.
As the auction neared its end, Goldin and Paul streamed a live unboxing of a first-edition Pokémon box on Paul’s YouTube channel. A representative from Guinness World Records and previous Goldin auction winners were in attendance. The unboxing revealed rare cards like Mewtwo, Chansey, and Blastoise, making the already exciting event even more spectacular.
In addition to the incredibly rare Pikachu Illustrator card, the auction included over 300 items like professionally graded cards, unopened booster boxes, original artwork, and classic video games from the Pokémon series. Strong bidding at all price levels showed there’s a lot of interest in Pokémon trading cards.
Several Pokémon cards and collectibles recently sold for record-breaking prices. A pristine 1999 Charizard card graded PSA 10 went for $954,808, and a complete, uncut sheet from the 1996 Japanese Base Set sold for $613,801. A sealed booster box from the 1st Edition also reached $496,000, and other rare, sealed promotional items and Game Boy games achieved new record highs.
Goldin explained in the release sent to TopMob that the results further position the firm as a destination for elite trading card game collectibles, pairing globally recognized consignments with digital reach.
The company will begin its Pokémon 151 auction on February 20th, coinciding with the 30th anniversary of the game. Simultaneously, its Winter Vintage Elite Auction will conclude on February 21st, featuring a recently found 1909 T206 Honus Wagner card. Recent sales indicate that highly rare and historically significant collectibles can fetch prices comparable to those of fine art.
FAQ ❓
- What made the Pikachu Illustrator card so valuable?
It is the only PSA 10-graded example and is widely regarded as the pinnacle of Pokémon TCG collectibles. - How much did Logan Paul’s Pikachu Illustrator sell for?
The card sold for $16,492,000 at Goldin’s February auction. - Was the sale officially recognized as a record?
Yes, the result was certified by Guinness World Records as the most expensive trading card ever sold at auction. - Who bought the card?
AJ Scaramucci, founder and managing partner of Solari Capital, was revealed as the winning bidder.
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2026-02-17 00:17