What Pokémon card is worth $1,000,000?

The card best known for being worth $1,000,000 or more is the Pikachu Illustrator, a promo card given to winners of a Japanese illustration contest in 1998. Only a few dozen copies exist, and the best-preserved copies are valued at a million dollars or more. The most famous copy, graded PSA 10, was bought by YouTuber Logan Paul in 2021 and sold at Goldin on February 16, 2026 for $16,492,000, a Guinness World Record for a Pokémon card.

Why the Pikachu Illustrator is so valuable

• Tiny print run: it was awarded to contest winners through the Japanese magazine CoroCoro Comic, not sold in packs.
• Unique design: it says "Illustrator" instead of "Trainer" and features art by Pikachu's designer, Atsuko Nishida.
• Condition: grading companies such as PSA, BGS (Beckett) and CGC rate cards from 1 to 10. A perfect grade on a rare card multiplies its price.
• Fame: headline sales attract collectors and investors, which pushes prices further.

Other very valuable cards

• First Edition Base Set Charizard, especially in PSA 10, has sold for hundreds of thousands of dollars.
• Trophy cards from early official tournaments, such as the "No. 1 Trainer" cards, are extremely rare.
• Error and prototype cards can also fetch high prices.

Prices change with the market, so check recent sold auctions rather than asking prices.

FAQ

Is there a Pokémon card worth $10 million?

Yes: Logan Paul's PSA 10 Pikachu Illustrator sold for $16,492,000 in February 2026. No regular pack card comes close; listings with eight-figure asking prices elsewhere are not sales.

Is there a $1 million Pokémon card for sale?

Pikachu Illustrator copies and a few trophy cards do come up at major auctions and private sales at or above that level. Be wary of marketplace listings claiming a $1 million card: check the grading certificate number on the grader's website.

What is the rarest Pokémon card?

Trophy and contest cards printed in tiny numbers, such as the Pikachu Illustrator and some tournament prize cards, are the rarest.

How do I know if my card is valuable?

Check the set, edition marks and condition, compare recent sold listings, and consider professional grading for cards that may be worth a lot.