Logan Paul to auction pristine $5.3M Pokémon card — as he urges investing in collectibles over stock market
Logan Paul, the YouTuber turned WWE personality, announced that he will put a pristine Pokémon card up for auction later this year. The card—an immaculate PSA 10 Illustrator Pikachu from a 1997 Japanese promotion—cost him $5.3 million in 2022 and is slated to sell to the highest bidder in February.
Paul made the announcement during an appearance on Fox Business’s “The Big Money Show,” where he touted collectibles as an alternative to traditional markets. He explained that Pokémon cards have outperformed stocks, citing returns of more than 3,000% over the past two decades. Paul said the card was a “priceless” investment, adding that it was purchased with his “entire net worth.” His current net worth is estimated at roughly $150 million.
The illustrator Pikachu card is the only known version that has received a perfect PSA 10 grade—meaning the card is flawless in both condition and production details, with the logo centered and no nicks or whitened corners. Even cards that are not graded perfectly can fetch over $80,000 in the market, according to Price Charting.
During the interview, Paul also referenced a diamond‑encrusted PSA 10 Charizard card, which he had carried in a jeweled case he said cost $75,000 to acquire. He noted that his purchase set a Guinness World Record for the most expensive Pokémon card ever sold.
Paul revealed that the card’s value will ultimately be decided at auction and that he doesn’t yet know how much it will fetch. “I don’t know. We will see,” he said.
Collecting Pokémon cards can be volatile but potentially lucrative. Rarity and print status drive prices, and some recent series—like the Prismatic Evolutions and the 151 expansions—have been reprinted to meet high demand. These releases include valuable cards such as a full‑art special illustration rare Umbreon EX, nicknamed “Sunbreon,” and a full‑art secret rare Charizard EX. In the marketplace, an ungraded Umbreon EX averages around $1,000, while a PSA 10 Charizard is similarly priced (Price Charting).
Average packs of Pokémon cards still in circulation sell for about $10, depending on the retailer, while cards from discontinued series command much higher prices. The second‑most expensive card ever sold was a 1998 Trophy Pikachu, awarded as a prize at the first worldwide Pokémon Trading Card Game competition. Fewer than 15 of these exist today, and a graded 10 sold for $444,000 in 2023, as reported by Tabletop Gaming.
Paul encouraged new collectors to start modestly, suggesting they visit local hobby shops or eBay and choose cards that “look cool” or have a personal connection. He added, “I love Pokémon more than anything. I have one tattoo on my body, and it’s a Squirtle.”
Outside of Paul’s collection, the internet community includes enthusiasts like the self‑styled “Kabuto King,” who has accumulated more than a hundred first‑edition, mint‑condition Kabuto cards from the 1999 series. Those cards now average about $42.66 online, though a single one sold for as low as $4.39 in August.
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