• Logan Paul's Pikachu Illustrator card sold for $16.5 million at auction.
• The card was originally purchased by Paul for $5.28 million in 2021.
• The auction was validated by Guinness World Records as a record sale.
• The card is notable for its rarity and PSA 10 grading.
• AJ Scaramucci, son of former White House communications director, secured the winning bid.

An extremely rare Pokémon card owned by American YouTuber Logan Paul has been sold for $16,492,000, setting a record for the most expensive trading card sold at auction. The unique PSA 10-graded "Pikachu Illustrator" card, which Paul originally acquired for $5.28 million in 2021, was bought by AJ Scaramucci, the son of former White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci, during an auction organized by Goldin on February 16, according to SCMP and Le Monde.

The sale was authenticated by representatives from Guinness World Records, confirming it as the most valuable Pokémon card—and indeed any trading card—ever sold at an auction. During the bidding process, Paul notably placed the card, which was attached to a $75,000 diamond necklace, around Scaramucci’s neck, further highlighting the card's extravagant presentation, reports LA Times and SCMP.

As the only Pikachu Illustrator card graded "PSA 10," it represents a virtually perfect condition with exceptional rarity. Only about 40 of these cards were printed, originally given as prizes for a 1998 illustration contest designed by Atsuko Nishida, the original artist for Pikachu. This particular card's astonishing value reflects the booming interest in collectible trading cards, which has attracted not only avid fans but also investors, according to LA Times and Le Monde.