Cover image via @zardzard.cards (Instagram) & @kyle.tanhs (Instagram)
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A Singaporean trading card collector has rejected a SGD1.3 million (RM4.08 million) offer for one of the world's rarest Pokémon cards, choosing to hold on to it in hopes its value rises further
The card, a near-mint Pikachu Illustrator, belongs to Zhou Zhan Lun (transliterated), 33, the founder of a trading card platform. He displayed it at the Singapore Card Show, held at the Singapore Expo from 13 to 14 December.
Zhou told Shin Min Daily News that he bought the card from a private collector several months ago. About a week before the card show, someone approached him with a USD1 million offer, which he declined.
"I hope the value of this card will appreciate further. When the price goes up more, I might consider selling it," he said.
During the two-day event, the Pikachu Illustrator card became a focal point at Zhou's booth
He said more than 10 people approached him to ask about the card's price, mostly out of curiosity.
Many visitors also stopped to take photos of the card, which was displayed in a glass case for added security.
According to the Mandarin daily, nearly 50,000 local and international visitors attended the Singapore Card Show, which featured close to 300 booths selling and trading Pokémon, sports, anime, and other collectable cards.
Pokémon cards were the most prevalent category at the event.
The Pikachu Illustrator is considered one of the rarest Pokémon cards ever produced
Only 39 copies are believed to exist, as they were awarded to winners of illustration contests held in Japan in 1997 and 1998, according to Sports Illustrated.
Zhou's card has a Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) grade of 9, indicating near-mint condition.
Recent sales suggest the card's value is rising steadily.
In early December, a PSA 8.5 Pikachu Illustrator card sold for USD610,000 (around RM2.5 million ) on Goldin, an international trading card marketplace
Just over a year earlier, a card with the same grade sold for USD300,000 (about RM1.2 million), Sports Illustrated reported.
Zhou said his interest in Pokémon cards began in childhood, when his parents rewarded him with cards for doing well in school
Although he stopped collecting for many years, he returned to the hobby last year after noticing the growing trading card craze.
He now owns more than 300 cards, with values ranging from SGD50 to six figures, and has invested over SGD1 million in total.
