If you’ve ever wondered what the rarest Pokémon card is, collectors and experts overwhelmingly agree on one legendary card: the Pikachu Illustrator. It is widely regarded as the rarest and most valuable Pokémon card ever created, setting the gold standard for rarity in the Pokémon TCG.

What Is the Pikachu Illustrator Card?

The Pikachu Illustrator card was released in 1998 as a prize for winners of a Japanese illustration contest hosted by CoroCoro Comic. Unlike standard Pokémon cards, it was never sold in packs and could only be earned by contest winners.

Key Details

• Release year: 1998

• Distribution: Illustration contest prize only

• Estimated copies printed: Fewer than 40

• Unique feature: Labeled “Illustrator” instead of Pokémon or Trainer

It remains the only official Pokémon card with the Illustrator designation.

Why Is Pikachu Illustrator the Rarest Pokémon Card?

Several factors combine to make Pikachu Illustrator the rarest Pokémon card of all time.

Extremely Limited Print Run

Unlike set releases printed in the thousands or millions, Pikachu Illustrator is believed to have fewer than 40 total copies, with far fewer publicly accounted for today.

Contest-Only Distribution

Because it was awarded to children through a contest, many copies were lost, damaged, or never preserved for collecting purposes.

Scarcity in High Condition

Only one PSA 10 (Gem Mint) copy is known to exist, making top-grade examples essentially unattainable.

How Much Is the Pikachu Illustrator Card Worth?

The Pikachu Illustrator card holds the record as the most expensive Pokémon card ever sold.

• PSA 10 value: Approximately $5.3 million

• Purchased by: Logan Paul

• Record recognized by: Guinness World Records

Lower-grade copies have still sold for hundreds of thousands to over $1 million, depending on condition and provenance.

Other Exceptionally Rare Pokémon Cards

While Pikachu Illustrator stands alone at the top, several other Pokémon cards are considered extremely rare.

Trophy Pikachu Cards

Awarded to winners of early Japanese Pokémon tournaments, including Trainer No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3 cards.

Blastoise Test Print

A prototype card produced by Wizards of the Coast before the Pokémon Trading Card Game officially launched.

Charizard Topsun Blue Back

One of the earliest Charizard cards, released before rarity symbols were standardized.

Despite their rarity, none surpass Pikachu Illustrator in overall scarcity, prestige, and market value.

Is Pikachu Illustrator Still the Rarest Pokémon Card?

Yes. Based on print quantity, historical importance, and confirmed sales, Pikachu Illustrator remains the rarest Pokémon card ever produced. No modern promo or limited release has matched its exclusivity.

Where to Buy, Trade, or Sell Pokémon Collectibles Locally

For collectors who want to buy, trade, or sell Pokémon cards and collectibles, University Vape and The Kave Kava Lounge both carry Pokémon collectibles, including sealed products, singles, and trade-friendly inventory.

These locations serve as community hubs where collectors can:

• Buy Pokémon cards and collectibles

• Trade with other local collectors

• Sell Pokémon singles and sealed items

Whether you’re chasing modern pulls or hunting vintage cards, they offer a local option for Pokémon TCG enthusiasts.

Final Answer: What Is the Rarest Pokémon Card?

The 1998 Pikachu Illustrator card is the rarest Pokémon card ever made.

With fewer than 40 copies printed, a unique Illustrator classification, and a multi-million-dollar valuation, it stands as the ultimate Pokémon card grail for collectors worldwide.