Logan Paul has done it again—this time by parting with one of the most valuable trading cards on the planet for a staggering $16.5 million.
The YouTuber-turned-wrestler sold his ultra-rare Pikachu Illustrator card through auction house Goldin, shattering his own previous record. Paul originally purchased the card in 2021 for $5.3 million, which itself was a historic deal at the time. The final sale price of $16.492 million includes the buyer’s premium, cementing its place as the most expensive trading card ever auctioned.
The buyer? Venture capitalist AJ Scaramucci, son of former White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci. And this purchase is just the beginning of what Scaramucci describes as a “planetary treasure hunt.” His ambitious shopping list includes a T-Rex dinosaur fossil and even the Declaration of Independence.
“This was only the beginning,” Scaramucci revealed during the live stream where Paul celebrated the sale with confetti raining down and Guinness World Records officially certifying the moment.
The Pikachu Illustrator card isn’t just rare—it’s legendary. Issued in 1998 as part of an art contest in Japan, only about 40 copies are known to exist. Paul’s copy holds the distinction of being the only one graded a perfect 10 by PSA, meaning it’s in “virtually perfect” condition.
As part of the deal, Paul threw in the diamond-encrusted necklace he wore while debuting the card at WrestleMania 38 in 2022, draping it around Scaramucci’s neck during the presentation.
Why sell now? Paul was candid about his motivations during an appearance on Netflix’s “King of Collectibles: The Goldin Touch,” where auction boss Ken Goldin convinced him to let go of his prized possession amid a booming Pokémon market. “I’m not a reseller. I’m a collector,” Paul explained. “But candidly, I could use the liquidity. I’m good at making money. I’m better at spending money.”
That liquidity likely came in handy—Paul married Danish model Nina Agdal in a lavish Lake Como wedding in August 2025.
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