AJ Scaramucci Pays $16.49 Million for Logan Paul's Pikachu Illustrator Card, Sets World-Record Sale

AJ Scaramucci paid a world‑record price for Logan Paul's ultra‑rare Pikachu Illustrator card in a high‑profile Goldin auction.

“Bassyonni17 Feb 2026 Bassyonni17 Feb 2026 Bassyonni17 Feb 2026 Bassyonni17 Feb 2026 Bassyonni17 Feb 2026 Bassyonni17 Feb 2026 Bassyonni17 Feb 2026 Bassyonni17 Feb 2026 Bassyonni17 Feb 2026 Bassyonni17 Feb 2026 Bassyonni17 Feb 2026 Bassyonni17 Feb 2026 Bassyonni17 Feb 2026 Bassyonni17 Feb 2026 Bassyonni17 Feb 2026 Bassyonni31 Jan 2026 Bassyonni31 Jan 2026 Bassyonni16 Jan 2026 Bassyonni16 Jan 2026 Bassyonni16 Jan 2026 Bassyonni17 Feb 2026 Bassyonni17 Feb 2026 Bassyonni17 Feb 2026 Bassyonni17 Feb 2026 Bassyonni17 Feb 2026 In a landmark deal, Logan Paul has sold a rare Pokémon card for a staggering $16 million”

El-Balad

Multiple outlets reported the sale at roughly $16.5 million, showing contradictory figures — RTE.ie reported $16,492,000, the New York Post reported $16.49 million, player.one and mybigplunge stated $16.5 million, and the South China Morning Post described the hammer as roughly $15.8 million.

El-Balad

Guinness World Records verified the auction as the most expensive trading card sale.

Coverage identifies the buyer as AJ (A.J.) Scaramucci, whom most reports link to Anthony Scaramucci.

The sale drew attention both for its headline price and as a sign of booming demand for rare Pokémon and pop‑culture collectibles.

The card’s rarity and grading were central to the valuation.

Several outlets emphasize that the Pikachu Illustrator was issued in 1998 as a prize in an illustration contest, making it unusually scarce and historically significant, and RTE.ie adds that the card was designed by Atsuko Nishida, Pikachu’s original creator.

FilmoGaz

Coverage consistently notes a PSA 10 (Gem Mint) grade for Paul’s copy and describes that grade as a major factor in driving the record price.

Several outlets identify A.J. Scaramucci as the purchaser and note his family tie to Anthony Scaramucci.

“ByThe Plunge Daily - Bureau The Plunge Daily - Bureau Social media star and WWE performerLogan Paulhas made headlines after selling his ultra-rarePikachu Illustrator trading cardfor astaggering $16”

mybigplunge

Outlets vary in describing his role: SSBCrack and player.one call him founder or co‑founder of Solari Capital, while the New York Post labels him a venture capitalist.

Player.one and Riviera Radio report Scaramucci framed the purchase as the start of a larger 'planetary treasure hunt' or Treasure Trove project, signaling ambition to assemble other high‑profile artifacts rather than treating the card solely as a financial investment.

Logan Paul’s stewardship and the card’s public moments featured across reports.

Multiple outlets note Paul bought the card in 2021 for about $5.28 million.

New York Post

Reporting notes he displayed the card at WrestleMania 38 in a diamond-encrusted necklace.

SSBCrack gives detail on the necklace’s composition and an Oxford Diamonds appraisal.

New York Post and RTE.ie describe Paul placing the card around the winning bidder’s neck after the sale.

Coverage frames Paul’s role variously as seller, showman and custodian of a headline-making collectible.

Details about the auction format and surrounding celebration vary across coverage.

“Logan Paul has once again captured global attention after selling one of the rarestPokémon cardsin existence, the Pikachu Illustrator, for an astonishing $16”

player.one

Some outlets describe a single‑day Goldin sale, with SSBCrack saying the auction opened with a $13.3 million starting bid on Feb. 15 and concluded that day and highlighting a confetti‑filled Guinness confirmation.

player.one

New York Post refers to a 'tense 42‑day auction' before the final handoff.

Player.one names Guinness adjudicator Sarah Casson as confirming the record amid confetti.

Reports present the event both as a competitive sale and as a media spectacle.