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Barnebys Magazine

LatestEditor's picksTopics
Magazine/Collectibles/The World’s Most Expensive Pokémon Card Has Sold

The World’s Most Expensive Pokémon Card Has Sold

One of the rarest Pokémon cards in existence recently went up for auction in New York and sold for over £151,000.

28 October 2019Jessica Douglas
Photo: Kotaku

Photo: Kotaku

It would seem you can’t catch ‘em all. 

The world’s most expensive Pokémon card is a ‘Pikachu Illustrator’ card, a promo given out to winners of a comic contest, which was held in Japan in 1997-98. Although 39 of these cards were awarded at the time, it is believed that only 10 are left in existence – making each one incredibly valuable. 

And how much is it people are willing to pay for these cards? US$195,000, apparently (£151,570). 

This is almost four times the price paid for the last Pikachu Illustrator, which sold in 2013 for US$54,970 (£42,730).

See also: The Little Italian Plummer Raises Prices – and Heads

Pikachu Illustrator is not only notable for its rarity (and price), however. Firstly, it’s the only card to read ‘ILLUSTRATOR’ at the top, and it’s also the only one to have a pen as its icon at the bottom right. Finally, the art is done by Pikachu’s creator, Atsuko Nishida. 

Shop more toys and collectables at auction

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About the author

Jessica Douglas

Editor, UK

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Jessica Douglas

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