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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesLogan Paul sold his PSA Gem Mint 10 Pikachu Illustrator for $16,492,000 at a Goldin Auctions sale that closed on 16 February 2026, setting the Guinness World Records mark for the most expensive Pokémon trading card sold at auction. The often-cited $5.275 million figure is what Paul paid for the card in 2021—not its later sale price.
How much did Logan Paul sell the Pikachu Illustrator card for?
The final auction price was $16,492,000, according to Guinness World Records. Goldin Auctions handled the sale, which closed on 16 February 2026. The Associated Press independently described the result as approximately $16.5 million.
The distinction matters because Paul’s purchase and sale are two separate transactions. Guinness says he bought the card for $5,275,000 in 2021, then a private-sale record. That earlier amount is not the 2026 auction result.
How the two transactions compare
| Transaction | Date | Channel | Amount | Record category |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paul buys the card | 2021 | Private sale | $5,275,000 | Private-sale record at the time, according to Guinness World Records |
| Paul sells the card | 16 February 2026 | Goldin Auctions | $16,492,000 | Most expensive Pokémon trading card sold at auction, according to Guinness World Records |
The auction result is about 3.1 times the amount Paul paid in 2021. That comparison reflects these two transactions only; it does not establish a general rate of return for Pokémon cards or the broader collectibles market.
#1 Best Overall
What happened at the auction?
The Associated Press reported that bidding lasted 41 days and that A.J. Scaramucci was the winning bidder. Paul reacted at the close: “Oh my gosh, this is crazy,” he said, according to the AP’s auction report. The report also described the card displayed on a diamond necklace and housed in a custom case.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why the Pikachu Illustrator is notable
The Pikachu Illustrator was designed by Atsuko Nishida for a 1998 contest, the AP reported. Only a few dozen are believed to exist; that is an estimate, not a confirmed count of surviving cards. Paul’s copy carried a PSA Gem Mint 10 grade, as noted by Guinness, identifying it as the highest-grade example in this sale’s record description.
Rank #2
- 🦷 Gnaw 10
- ⚡️ Thunderbolt 30
- 🪨 Weakness To Rock x2
- 🏃♂️ Retreat Costs 1 Colorless Energy Card
- 👨🎨 Illustrator: Mitsuhiro Arita
Guinness’s record classification is specific: the most expensive Pokémon trading card sold at auction. It should not be confused with Paul’s earlier private purchase or treated as a measure of what Pokémon cards generally sell for.
Quick Recap
Best Value
Rank #4
- 🏆 VMAX Rule - When Your Pokémon VMAX Is Knocked Out, Your Opponent Takes 3 Prize Cards
- 🏄 Max Surfer 160 - This Attack Also Does 30 Damage To Each Of Your Opponent’s Benched Pokémon. (Don’t Apply Weakness & Resistance For Benched Pokémon
- 💪 Weakness x2 - Has A 2x Weakness To Fighting Type Pokémon
- 🏃♂️Retreat Costs 1 Colorless Energy To Retreat
- 👨🎨 Illustrator: aky CG Works
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