The 7 most expensive trading cards ever sold, from Pikachu to Michael Jordan
Polygon
by Corey PlanteFebruary 20, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The trading card world was shaken when Logan Paul’s PSA 10 1998 Japanese Promo Pikachu Illustrator sold for a staggering $16.49 million in February 2023, setting a new record. This sale not only shattered Pokémon trading card records but also surpassed the previous highest sales dominated by sports legends like Honus Wagner and Michael Jordan. The rise of gaming collectibles is now reshaping the entire trading card market, with iconic characters from beloved franchises taking center stage.
For decades, the most expensive trading cards were tied to baseball’s earliest stars, such as Honus Wagner, whose T206 card remains one of the hobby’s holy grails. More recently, basketball icons like Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant dominated the top sales, particularly through high-demand “chase” cards. However, the Pikachu Illustrator card, part of the first generation of Pokémon trading cards from 1998, has now claimed the crown as the most valuable trading card ever sold.
This shift reflects the growing influence of gaming culture in the collectibles market. While traditional sports cards remain popular, the rise of nostalgia-driven gaming franchises like Pokémon and Yu-Gi-Oh! is attracting a new wave of collectors. The Pikachu sale highlights how rare, vintage, and culturally significant gaming cards are becoming increasingly desirable among enthusiasts. For those interested in gaming collectibles, this signals a vibrant and expanding market with endless possibilities for discovery and investment.
The record-breaking sale also underscores the importance of condition and rarity in determining value. The Pikachu card’s perfect grade (PSA 10) and its status as one of the earliest and most sought-after Pokémon cards made it a prime candidate for such a high price. Similarly, other top-selling trading cards featured in the article, like the 1994 SP MJ Michael
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Originally published on Polygon on 2/20/2026