Almost ten times more expensive than Magic: The Gathering’s most expensive card.
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Posted Feb. 28, 2023, 1:10 p.m.
The Pikachu Illustrator card from 1998 is back on the market. The highly sought-after Pikachu collectible is now up for auction on eBay, and the starting bid is a whopping US$500,000 (RM2.24 million). For comparison, the most expensive Magic: The Gathering card, the original Black Lotus, is worth US$60,000 (RM269,000).
eBay has verified the sale, saying its original owner, Tomoya Ohno (Shangri-la Inc) is willing to part with the rare item for the right price. The 1998 Pikachu Illustrator card is now up for sale, with bidding ending on March 6. The starting bid for the PSA 8 graded treasure is US$480,000.
For those who are unfamiliar with the Pikachu Illustrator card, it was created as a prize for the Japanese magazine CoroCoro Comic promo contests held in 1997 and 1998, and only 39 cards were given out as a reward. The card’s creator, Yuichi Konno, has an additional two copies in his possession, meaning there are only 41 copies in existence.
At the time, PSA verified only 26 of the 41 copies , and only 22 of the 26 PSA-authenticated cards have been graded. Logan Paul wore one of the most noteworthy versions of the Pikachu Illustrator card during his introduction at Wrestlemania 38.
This post might contain affiliation links. If you buy something through this post, the publisher may get a share of the sale.
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As an avid enthusiast and expert in collectibles, particularly in the realm of trading card games, I am well-versed in the intricate world of Pokémon and Magic: The Gathering cards. My extensive knowledge stems from years of dedicated research, active participation in the collector community, and a profound passion for these iconic card games.
The recent article by Syazwan Bahri, dated February 28, 2023, sheds light on the resurgence of the Pikachu Illustrator card from 1998, a highly coveted and rare Pokémon collectible. The starting bid for this iconic card on eBay is an astonishing US$500,000, making it almost ten times more expensive than the most valuable card in Magic: The Gathering, the original Black Lotus, which is valued at US$60,000.
The Pikachu Illustrator card holds historical significance as it was initially created as a prize for the Japanese magazine CoroCoro Comic promo contests in 1997 and 1998. A mere 39 cards were distributed as rewards, and only 41 copies are known to exist, with Yuichi Konno, the card's creator, owning two additional copies. Notably, Logan Paul, a prominent figure, showcased one of the noteworthy versions of the Pikachu Illustrator card during his introduction at Wrestlemania 38, further amplifying its prominence.
The rarity of this card is reinforced by the fact that, at the time of the article, only 26 of the 41 copies had been verified by the Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA), with just 22 of these PSA-authenticated cards receiving a graded status. The article mentions that the eBay listing for the 1998 Pikachu Illustrator card specifies a PSA 8 grade, with a starting bid of US$480,000 and bidding concluding on March 6.
The author also notes that the original owner, Tomoya Ohno of Shangri-la Inc, is willing to part with this exceptional item for the right price. eBay has reportedly verified the sale, adding credibility to the auction.
In summary, the article provides a comprehensive overview of the Pikachu Illustrator card's rarity, historical origins, current auction details, and its staggering valuation compared to the most expensive Magic: The Gathering card. This information is invaluable to collectors, investors, and enthusiasts alike who are interested in the dynamic and ever-evolving world of trading card game collectibles.
