Title: Beckett Assigns Mint 9 to Iconic 1998 Illustrator Pikachu Pokémon Card
Subtitle: A Highly Valued Piece in the Pokémon Card Collecting World
Meta Description: Discover the grading of a significant 1998 Pokémon card, the Illustrator Pikachu, by Beckett Grading Services, achieving a Mint 9 status.
Content:
What’s New
Beckett Collectibles has once again authenticated and graded a copy of the Illustrator Pikachu, a card of great historical importance within the Pokémon card community. The card, evaluated by Beckett Grading Services (BGS), received a Mint 9 grade, confirming it as one of the finest conditions known. This achievement adds to Beckett’s longstanding reputation for certifying significant collectibles, including previous instances of the Illustrator Pikachu.
The Illustrator Pikachu was initially awarded to the victors of the 1998 Pokémon (CoroCoro Comic) Illustration Contests, setting it apart from regular Pokémon TCG issues. The card features artwork by Atsuko Nishida, the original artist of Pikachu.
Configuration at a Glance
- Card: Pokémon Illustrator Pikachu
- Distribution: Presented in 1998 to winners of the Pokémon Illustration Contest (not available in packs or retail)
- Grading: Beckett Grading Services (BGS) Mint 9
- Population: Estimated 101 copies exist, with 41 documented or graded
- Special Features: Verified provenance, original Atsuko Nishida artwork
Key Inserts & Parallels
- No conventional inserts or parallels; the card is a unique promotional issue
- Distinctive status due to its exclusive contest distribution and unique release
Autographs & Relics
- No autographs or memorabilia elements 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 numbers, the Illustrator Pikachu is deemed one of the most culturally and historically vital.
- An estimated 101 copies exist, with 41 known through grading or public transactions.
- Its value and prestige are amplified by its creator, contest origin, and status as a pinnacle of high-end Pokémon collecting.
- The latest BGS Mint 9 version achieved higher subgrades than an earlier Beckett graded copy, including aspects like centering, corners, edges, and surface.
- Each authenticated and graded card enriches the understanding of its survival rate and condition standards in the hobby.
- Beckett’s participation ensures reliable authentication and documentation for this celebrated release.
- No design variations, serial numbers, or parallels are linked with this card.
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