The market for children’s boxes keep shooting in Uncharted Area. Earlier this week, auction house Goldin announced a 1998 holographic “Illustrator” Pikachu Pokémon card that sold for $900,000. No one knows who bought it for so much or why, but the top bid broke the previous record of $375,000 set by a similar card exactly a year ago.
With a condition of “Near Mint 7,” the Illustrator Pikachu sold on February 23 was one of only 40 examples currently known to exist, according to ratings firm PSA. Only one other specimen was assessed as being in the same near mint condition. Deals started at just $75,000 in February 10, but an apparent bidding war drove the price higher in the weeks that followed.
To put the $900,000 price tag in perspective, a little better Illustrator Pikachu in mint 9 state Sold for $195,000 in 2019. Then, in February 2021, a Near Mint 7 example sold for $375,000. Before that, the most valuable Pokémon card was one First edition of the shadowless holographic Charizard
In recent years, prices for all kinds of collectibles have skyrocketed, but speculation surrounding Pokémon cards has been extreme. As new people flocked to the scene, The prices for the rarest cards skyrocketed and packs for new sets flown off the shelves. Part of the hype was reignited by this Influencers like Logan Paul Make content from opening packages and bidding on some of the most expensive cards (and occasionally cheated). within the community, Collectors on YouTube like Gary Haase have helped draw more attention to the financial aspect of the hobby. Others just have fun setting their own collection goals and indulge in a nostalgic part of their childhood
But this tripling in just one year is really crazy. Indeed, the illustrator Pikachu is also unique in the world of Pokémon cards. It was drawn by Pikachu’s creator, Atsuko Nishida, and only a few dozen copies were produced as prizes for advertising competitions in a Japanese magazine. Still, this kind of exponential growth is reminiscent of the shockingly inflated prices that have been occurring lately turned the world of vintage game collectors upside down.
Auction houses, card appraisers, and collectors all have vested interests in increasing the hype and speculative value surrounding Pokémon cards. That alone isn’t proof that anything unusual is going on here, but without knowing the people directly implicated in the recent bidding war, it’s hard not to be skeptical about what’s going on at the top end of the market right now. For those who just want to have fun with Pokémon cards, the latest expansion, Sword & Shield – Brilliant Starsjust came out on February 25th.