CGC-certified Pokémon Illustrator Sells for More than $2 Million
Posted on 3/5/2026
It’s a record! A Pokémon Illustrator, Pokémon (1998) Japanese CoroCoro Comics Illustration Contest Promo graded by CGC realized a whopping 14,500,000 RMB (about $2.09 million) in a recent PokeColor auction, cementing it as the second highest-selling card certified by CGC. The transaction took place on February 18, 2026, on PokeColor’s online auction platform. This sale sits right behind the highest-selling CGC-certified card: an Alpha Black Lotus graded CGC Pristine 10 that sold for $3 million in April 2024.
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Only thirty-nine examples of Pokémon Illustrator were given to winners of a series of art contests held exclusively in Japan in 1997 and 1998. A small group of unawarded examples have also surfaced recently with an estimated 20 additional being now alongside the ones awarded in the late nineties. More than 25 years later, Pokémon Illustrator is now one of the most valuable Pokémon cards in existence due to its rarity and limited release.
“Pokémon Illustrator is one of the rarest and most valuable cards in the entire Pokémon TCG, and we are thrilled to have certified such a wonderful example of Pokémon history,” said Matt Quinn, Vice President of CGC Cards. “We are also proud that some of the hobby’s most prestigious cards are being entrusted to CGC for authentication and grading.”
About PokeColor
PokeColor is one of China’s largest consignment auction houses for trading cards, with a special focus on the Pokémon TCG. In addition to hosting auctions for rare Pokémon cards, PokeColor also sells supplies to enhance collectibles, such as slab protectors, carrying cases, display stands and more.
About CGC
CGC uses expert graders, advanced technology and operational excellence to provide collectors with accurate, consistent, affordable and fast certification services. Cards certified by CGC are backed by a guarantee of authenticity and grade. More than 10 million TCGs, sports cards and non-sports cards have already been certified by CGC since 2020.
CGC is part of the Certified Collectibles Group, a global provider of expert and impartial grading, authentication and encapsulation for collectibles. Since 1987, the Certified Collectibles Group companies — NGC, PMG, CGC, JSA and ASG — have certified more than 110 million collectibles, including coins, banknotes, comic books, cards, autographs and stamps. To learn more, go to collectiblesgroup.com.
