Record-setting Pokémon Illustrator Graded by CGC Cards Tops PWCC Auctions in May

A Pokémon Illustrator graded by CGC Cards™ realized six figures in PWCC’s May Premier Auction, shattering the previous record for the highest-selling CGC-certified card on the platform. The record-breaking Illustrator was just one of the thousands of CGC-certified TCGs, sports cards and non-sports cards that were sold through PWCC Marketplace in May 2024.

The Pokémon Illustrator, Pokémon (1998) Japanese CoroCoro Comics Illustration Contest Promo graded CGC 8 realized an impressive $204,000 on May 16, becoming the highest-selling card certified by CGC Cards to sell on PWCC Marketplace. Pokémon Illustrator is considered the holy grail of Pokémon TCG collecting because of its scarcity — only 41 copies are known to be in circulation. CGC Cards has certified a total of 14 examples of Pokémon Illustrator, according to the CGC Cards Population Report.

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In addition, two more Pokémon cards graded by CGC Cards realized five figures in PWCC’s Premier Auction on May 16. A Kangaskhan, Pokémon (1998) Japanese Garura Parent / Child Tournament Prize Holo Unnumbered Promo graded CGC 8 realized $38,400, while a Lucky Stadium, Pokémon (2000) Japanese Tropical Mega Battle Unnumbered Promo graded CGC 9 realized $17,700.

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Meanwhile, hundreds of CGC-certified sports cards sold through PWCC in May as well, with the top highlight being an autographed card of Atlanta Braves star pitcher Spencer Strider. A 2020 Bowman Draft Chrome Autographs #CDA-SS Spencer Strider - Orange Refractor graded CGC Gem Mint 10, with an autograph graded CGC 10 sold for $1,260 on May 19. Unfortunately, the 25-year-old's 2024 season came to an early end after only his second start due to a UCL injury in his right elbow. Before the injury, Strider had been named Atlanta's Opening Day starting pitcher for the first time following his record-setting 2023 campaign. It took Strider only 61 innings to earn 100 strikeouts, making him the fastest to the feat in MLB history. He went on to set the record for the fastest to 200 strikeouts in a single season, as well, and earned his first All-Star appearance.

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Another sports highlight from May's PWCC sales was a card of the greatest hockey player to ever grace the ice: Wayne Gretzky. A 2014-15 Upper Deck Fleer Showcase Skybox Premium #28 Wayne Gretzky - Star Rubies graded CGC 8 sold for $1,200 on May 11. Nicknamed "The Great One," and for good reason, the Canadian-born hockey legend redefined what could be accomplished in the sport. During Gretzky's iconic 20-season career, he became the NHL's leading career goal scorer, assist producer and point scorer. He is still the only pro to total more than 200 points in a single season, which he accomplished four different times. Upon his retirement in 1999, Gretzky owned 61 NHL records, including the record for most Hart Trophies (9). He lifted the Stanley Cup four times during his incredible career and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame the same year he retired.

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Other recent TCG and non-sports card sales highlights include:

• an Arceus, Pokémon (2009) Japanese Poké Card Design Contest — Illus: Nakamura — 3rd Grade Winner graded CGC Gem Mint 10 that realized $15,600 on May 16
• a Victory Declaration, Pokémon (2017) Japanese Sun & Moon Promo — Champion’s League 2017 — 3rd/4th Place graded CGC Gem Mint 10 that realized $10,950 on May 16
• a Bilingual Exeggutor, Pokémon (1999) Japanese Tropical Mega Battle Participation Prize Promo graded CGC 8 that realized $9,900 on May 16
• a Venusaur, Pokémon (1999) Base Set 1st Edition Holo graded CGC Gem Mint 10 that realized $8,700 on May 26
• a Tropical Wind, Pokémon (1999) Japanese Tropical Mega Battle Participation Prize Promo graded CGC 8 that realized $7,200 on May 16

Other recent sports card sales highlights include:

• a 1976 Topps #148 Walter Payton graded CGC 8 that realized $670 on May 13
• a 2004-05 Topps Finest Perfect Pairs Autographs #PP-DP Robert Parish/Tim Duncan graded CGC 8, with autographs graded CGC 10, that realized $384 on May 12
• a 2021 Panini Absolute Kaboom! #K17 Joe Montana graded CGC Gem Mint 10 that realized $350 on May 6
• a 2010-11 Panini Timeless Treasures #48 Stephen Curry - Silver graded CGC Gem Mint 10 that realized $228 on May 5
• a 2001 Navarrete Copa America #57 Ronaldinho graded CGC Gem Mint 10 that realized $222 on May 12

Notable Upcoming PWCC Sales

PWCC Marketplace continues to offer CGC-certified cards in their weekly, fixed and premium auction formats. One of the highlights available in June is a 2019-20 Panini Status #141 Luka Doncic graded CGC Gem Mint 10. The 25-year-old Slovenian recently led the Dallas Mavericks to the NBA Finals, where they are battling the Boston Celtics. Regardless of the outcome of the series, Doncic has established himself as one of the best and most exciting young talents across the league. The Mavs look poised to fight for titles for years to come, and that means Doncic's cards could become even more popular with collectors.

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Other TCG and non-sports cards in the upcoming June auctions include:

• a Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon, Yu-Gi-Oh! (2024) Japanese Legend/Duelist Quarter Century Secret Rare graded CGC Pristine 10
• a Goldeen, Pokémon Amada (1996) Japanese Hyper Sticker Collection Part 1 – 118 graded CGC 7
• a Machamp, Pokémon Topsun (1997) Original Series – 068 No Number – 1st Print graded CGC 6.5
• a Dragonite, Pokémon (2008) Legends Awakened National Championships – Staff graded CGC 6
• a Pikachu, Pokémon (2009) POP Series 9 Pokémon Day Promo graded CGC 5.5

Other sports cards in the upcoming June auctions include:

• a 2000 Upper Deck #254 Tom Brady graded CGC 9
• a 2017-18 Panini Immaculate Rookie Patch Autographs #128 Lauri Markkanen graded CGC 8.5, with an autograph graded CGC 10
• a 2005 Fleer Ultra #202 Aaron Rodgers - Lucky 13 graded CGC 9
• a 1984-85 Topps #51 Wayne Gretzky graded CGC Gem Mint 10
• a 2020 Topps Tier One Autographs #T1A-CRJ Cal Ripken Jr. - Silver Ink graded CGC Gem Mint 10, with an autograph graded CGC 10

Sell Your CGC-certified Cards on PWCC Marketplace!

PWCC Marketplace and CGC Cards have created a streamlined pathway to grading and selling through an operational partnership between the two companies. The grading and selling program is accessed via an online submission process on the PWCC website, and everything is managed through the PWCC Vault.

Cards sent to CGC receive priority grading and encapsulation through its third-party grading service for sports cards. Graded cards are returned to PWCC and immediately added to PWCC’s Auction Builder Curation Algorithm process, which optimizes cards for sale in upcoming PWCC Weekly Sunday Auctions.

For more information about this program, click here.

Prices realized include buyer’s premium.

Note: At the time some of these cards were graded, they were encapsulated with the original CGC Cards label. Starting July 11, 2023, CGC Cards began encapsulating cards with the new CGC Cards label. In addition to the new label, collectors enjoy many other benefits with CGC Cards, such as the ability to submit without purchasing a membership and an industry-standard Gem Mint 10 grading scale. For more information, go here.