The Pikachu Illustrator is the most valuable Pokémon card in the world. Here's why — and what to know before going anywhere near one.
The story
It was awarded in 1998 to winners of CoroCoro Comic illustration contests in Japan — never sold in packs. Only a few dozen are known to exist, and the card carries the unique "Illustrator" title (instead of "Trainer") plus a pen/artist icon. That scarcity makes it the ultimate grail.
What it's worth
High-grade copies have sold for millions, setting records for the most expensive Pokémon card ever. Even lower grades command extraordinary sums because so few exist.
Avoiding fakes
This is among the most counterfeited cards in existence — genuine copies are graded by PSA/CGC/BGS with provenance. Treat any "raw" or cheap listing as a proxy, replica, or fake. Never buy one ungraded. See how to tell if a card is rare.
The takeaway
For almost everyone the Illustrator is a museum piece, not a purchase — but it anchors the top of every most-expensive list. If you want a Pikachu you can actually own, see the best Pikachu cards.