Pokémon is big business at the moment, with this year's launch of Pokémon GO adding even more momentum to a franchise which has been a money-spinner since its inception in the '90s.
The mobile app has had quite an impact on the value of certain Pokémon playing cards, in particular the Japanese "Pikachu Illustrator" promo card which was given away in a competition back in 1998. One of these cards has just sold for a world record $54,970 during a public auction held by Dallas-based Heritage Auctions in Beverly Hills, California.
Barry Sandoval, Director of Operations for Comics at Heritage Auctions, explains what makes this card so special:
The Pikachu Illustrator Card was given in January of 1998 to winners of the CoroCoro Comic Illustration Contest. Only 20-39 copies of this card were released, 10 of which are graded in top condition and it is unknown how many still remain with the public.
Sandoval states that the Pikachu Illustrator card had previously sold for around $23,000 in the early 2000s. Illustrated by Atsuko Nishida - one of the chief Pokémon graphic illustrators - the card showcases the famous Pikachu, who is holding drawing equipment, hence the card's name.
In the unlikely event you have one of these sitting at the bottom of your sock drawer, now might be the time to cash it in.
Comments 20
Wow! So now we finally have a price again for those "Most rarest collector items" lists. This is truly amazing. I hope the seller will spend the money wisely.
Well, this still pales in comparison to that $2million Japanese Black Luster Soldier YGO card from a while back. Think the most expensive card I bought when I was playing Nationals was £80.
...At least it's a canon Pokeyman?
I wonder who graded it? It could have a microscopic tear, you know...
I find it funny that it's still referred to as 'Pikachu Illustrator' even though the text on the card clearly says 'Pokemon Illustrator'.
How do you know if it's real or fake!?
Press Ctrl + Shift + C , type testingcheatsenabled true, then motherlode to get instant $50,000... erm I mean 50,000 Simoleon. XD
Just kidding.
Very nice. Although... I always wonder if the grade itself does not lie about the card.
$50,000... well, that's stupid.
Don't tell me what I have in my attic. Only I know what I have in my attic. It's disturbing.
Could've used that money to buy a NES Mini
Enjoy your $50,000 piece of paper.
For a card?! Who drew it, Micha-Malangelo!?
@GeminiSaint I guess one way of looking at it is the card being equivalent to 500 sheets of $100 bits of paper.
It's basically a $50,000 bill. With a Pikachu on it.
And if there ever was a $50,000 bill, that's exactly how I imagine it should be.
One of Van Gogh's art pieces...
Gotta Collect'em all .., Illustrator I choose you..💲💲💲
I wonder how much my Super Trainer Showdown gold medal would be worth if I sold it. I wish they had given out a better prize than a jacket I didn't take care of and a medal. No scholarship, no unique card like this, nothing. :X
But what does the card do in game?
Pay more for less emptiness.
i woulda bought this but its incomplete because there are supposed to be 52 cards in a deck. i would have gladly payed 2,600,000 dollars for the full deck.
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