Title: Beckett Assigns Mint 9 Grade to 1998 Pokémon Illustrator Pikachu Card
Subtitle: A Landmark Pokémon Card Receives High-Grade Recognition from Beckett
Meta Description: Discover how Beckett Collectibles has graded a Mint 9 Illustrator Pikachu card, a pivotal piece in Pokémon card history, originally awarded in 1998.
Content:
What’s New
Beckett Collectibles has once again authenticated and graded a copy of the Illustrator Pikachu, a card of immense historical significance in the Pokémon trading card arena. This particular card was assessed by Beckett Grading Services (BGS) and was given a Mint 9 rating, making it one of the top-preserved specimens known to date. This achievement reaffirms Beckett’s commitment to certifying key collectibles, as seen with previous Illustrator Pikachu cards.
The Illustrator Pikachu card was initially given to winners of the 1998 Pokémon Illustration Contests organized by CoroCoro Comic, differentiating it from typical Pokémon TCG releases. The artwork was crafted by Atsuko Nishida, who originally designed Pikachu.
Configuration at a Glance
- Card: Pokémon Illustrator Pikachu
- Distribution: Awarded in 1998 to Illustration Contest winners (not available in packs or retail)
- Grading: Beckett Grading Services (BGS) Mint 9
- Population: Around 101 copies are estimated to exist, with 41 known through public records or grading
- Special Features: Verified provenance, original art by Atsuko Nishida
Key Inserts & Parallels
- No conventional inserts or parallels; this card is a unique promotional release
- Its uniqueness is due to its exclusive contest distribution and non-traditional release
Autographs & Relics
- No autographs or memorabilia are linked with the Illustrator Pikachu
- The card’s importance is rooted in its origin, artwork, and contest history
Collector Notes
- While not the rarest Pokémon card by sheer numbers, the Illustrator Pikachu is considered one of the most culturally and historically important.
- Approximately 101 copies are believed to exist, with 41 verified through grading or public sale.
- Its value and prestige are bolstered by its creator, contest background, and status as a high-end collectible benchmark.
- The recent BGS Mint 9 example boasts higher subgrades than a previously graded Beckett version, including centering, corners, edges, and surface.
- Each authenticated and graded example aids in understanding the card’s preservation rate and condition benchmarks within the hobby.
- Beckett’s role ensures reliable authentication and documentation for this noteworthy card.
- No design variants, serial numbers, or parallels are linked to this card.
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