A Pokemon Card Listed at a Bid Price of 630 Million Won

Auctioned Pok?mon Illustrator Card
'Lijamong' Card Sold for 400 Million Won

A single card from Japan's popular animation 'Pok?mon' has become a hot topic after being auctioned for 630 million KRW.

On the 27th, according to the global commerce platform eBay, a limited edition '1998 Pok?mon Pikachu Illustrator Card PSA 8' was put up for auction with an initial bid of $480,000 (approximately 630 million KRW).

[Image courtesy of eBay]

The 'Pok?mon Illustrator Card' is a highly rare card given only to the 39 winners of the 'Pok?mon Illustrator Contest' held between 1997 and 1998.

In particular, it is reported that only about 10 Illustrator Cards currently exist, which has further increased collectors' interest. The auction will continue until 10 a.m. on March 7th, Korean time, and if a transaction occurs, it will set a new record for the highest price of a Pok?mon card sold on eBay.

Previously, a Pok?mon collectible card was sold for about 400 million KRW. In an auction hosted by Heritage Auctions in March last year, a card featuring the Pok?mon character 'Lizardon' was sold for $336,000 (approximately 415 million KRW).

That card was reported to be in perfect condition, having received the highest grade of 10 from the grading company PSA. At the time, the auction organizer stated, "There are only 121 cards worldwide that have received a grade of 10 from PSA."

Meanwhile, according to a report released by eBay in May 2021, trading card sales in the United States increased by 142% in 2020 compared to the previous year, immediately after COVID-19. Among them, sales of Pok?mon trading cards surged by an astonishing 574%. eBay expects the popularity of trading cards to continue.