Logan Paul’s PSA 10 Pikachu Illustrator Fetches $16.5M, GameStop Backs Out
Logan Paul’s PSA 10 Pikachu Illustrator card fetched $16.492 million at auction, tripling his 2021 purchase price of $5.3 million and setting a new all-time record for trading cards. GameStop publicly stated it wouldn’t bid above $3.99 or handle the card, despite offering up to $1,500 for PSA-graded trade-ins.
1. Record-Breaking Auction of Pikachu Illustrator
The 42-day online auction closed Monday with Logan Paul’s PSA 10 Pikachu Illustrator selling for $16.492 million including buyer’s premium, surpassing its $5.3 million purchase price in 2021 and establishing a new benchmark for trading card sales. The card, awarded to winners of a 1998 Japanese illustration contest, achieved its PSA 10 grade for near-flawless corners, focus and original gloss.
2. GameStop’s Public Rejection
GameStop issued a social media statement that it would not bid above $3.99 or engage with the Pikachu Illustrator, signaling a clear stance against ultra-high-end collectibles. This public refusal underscores the limits of GameStop’s valuation for rare cards beyond its core retail offerings.
3. Trading Card Partnership and Trade-In Program
Since 2024, GameStop has partnered with PSA to introduce “Power Packs,” blind bags containing a random PSA-graded trading card. The retailer offers up to $1,500 in cash or store credit for PSA-graded trade-ins, a non-negotiable cap that contrasts sharply with multimillion-dollar auction outcomes.