Author: Amin Ayan & Vanessa Perdomo
Compiled by: Tim, PANews
The world's most expensive Pokémon card is set to return to the auction stage.
Social media influencer and WWE star Logan Paul recently announced that he will be auctioning his collection of rare Pokémon cards. He explained that the current market for Pokémon collectibles is booming, presenting a great "appreciation opportunity" for this set of items.
Logan Paul has long been active on social media and has repeatedly expressed his strong interest in rare Pokémon cards, making his identity as a collector widely known. He and his brother Jake Paul gained fame early on through Vine and YouTube, later crossing over into boxing, wrestling, and entertainment. It is worth mentioning that Jake Paul recently lost a boxing match against former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua in a Netflix live stream.
The card to be auctioned is the "Pikachu Illustrator" card, which Logan Paul acquired in 2021 for nearly $5.3 million, setting a Guinness World Record for the most expensive Pokémon card in a private transaction at the time.
This auction will be conducted through the renowned Goldin auction house, which specializes in sports memorabilia and collectibles. As part of the agreement, Logan Paul has already received a $2.5 million advance payment from Ken Goldin, the founder and CEO of Goldin Auctions.
This transaction will also be featured in the latest season of the Netflix series "King of Collectibles: The Goldin Touch," premiering on December 23.
Goldin Auctions announced that the "Pikachu Illustrator" card will be exclusively available for bidding on the Goldin website starting January 12. Ken Goldin estimates that the final price could reach between $7 million and $12 million, potentially setting a new benchmark for Pokémon collectibles.
Previously, Paul had turned down a $7.5 million offer from Goldin for this card, indicating that the high-end collectibles market is still on the rise.
In a joint interview with Bloomberg Television, Paul admitted, "The Pokémon market is hotter than ever. Ken made me an offer I couldn't refuse."
Goldin further pointed out that high-end collectibles are an alternative asset class increasingly attracting the attention of wealthy buyers. Citing the example of a Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant dual autograph card that sold for $12 million, he noted that there is consistently strong demand in the collectibles market, including sports cards.
The timing of this Pokémon card auction also reflects a generational shift among collectors.
30-Year Pokémon Fans Fueling the Collectibles Boom
As the Pokémon series approaches its 30th anniversary in 2026, market enthusiasm is rising. Fans who grew up with the anime now have greater financial means to bid on rare collectibles. Goldin analyzed that, compared to previous generations of collectors, this group is more inclined to pursue cultural symbols that accompanied their childhood rather than traditional art. Particularly among young fans who grew up with the Pokémon anime, many now have the financial strength to compete for rare items.
Logan Paul has long been active on social media and has repeatedly expressed his strong interest in rare Pokémon cards, making his identity as a collector widely known. He and his brother Jake Paul gained fame early on through Vine and YouTube, later crossing over into boxing, wrestling, and entertainment. It is worth mentioning that Jake Paul recently lost a boxing match against former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua in a Netflix live stream.
