Business17 February, 20262 min read
AJ Scaramucci Pays $16.49 Million for Logan Paul's Pikachu Illustrator Card, Sets World-Record Sale
Sale price reported between $16.49 million and $16.5 million across sources Buyer named AJ Scaramucci won the auction for the card
11 outlets told this the same way.
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Pikachu Illustrator Record Sale
AJ Scaramucci paid a world‑record price for Logan Paul's ultra‑rare Pikachu Illustrator card in a high‑profile Goldin auction.
“Social media star and WWE performer Logan Paul sold an ultra-rare Pikachu Illustrator trading card for $16.5 million to investor AJ Scaramucci, setting a new Guinness World Record for the most expensive trading card ever sold.”
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.
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.
Pikachu Illustrator valuation
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. 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.
Buyer identity and intent
Several outlets identify A.J. Scaramucci as the purchaser and note his family tie to Anthony Scaramucci.
“Buyer AJ Scaramucci (son of former White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci and co‑founder of Solari Capital) announced the purchase on Paul’s livestream, framing it as the start of a ‘planetary treasure hunt’ tied to his Treasure Trove project...”
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 card coverage
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. 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.
Auction coverage variations
Details about the auction format and surrounding celebration vary across coverage.
“An auction held Feb. 15 — run in partnership with Goldin and Logan Paul — opened with a $13.3 million starting bid and concluded the same day...”
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.
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.