A rare Pokémon card known as 'Pikachu Illustrator' has fetched an unprecedented price of 16.5 million dollars at auction, shattering previous records for collectible cards. The card features Pikachu, created by designer Atsuko Nishida, and is highly sought after by collectors around the globe. This sale marks a significant rise in the collectibles market, which has seen increased attention and investment from various buyers, including celebrities and enthusiasts.

The collector who purchased the card is AJ Scaramucci, the son of former White House Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci. This sale follows the notable previous transaction in 2021 when the popular American YouTuber Logan Paul acquired the same card for 5.28 million dollars, illustrating how much the market has escalated in just a couple of years. Such sales not only reflect a growing trend of high-value collectibles but also underscore the cultural significance of Pokémon in the modern economy.

As the interest in collectible items continues to surge, this record-breaking auction serves as a testament to both nostalgia and the continuous evolution of the memorabilia market. It raises questions about the sustainability of such valuations and the factors that drive people to invest in things like Pokémon cards as alternative assets in today's economic climate.