Cards certified by CGC® continue to realize impressive prices at auction, with many strong performers realizing six-figure amounts during the month of October. An "Ivy" Pikachu promo graded CGC 7.5, for example, just realized more than $240,000 in Goldin's 2026 Pokémon 30th Anniversary Auction, which ended on October 25, 2026.
The Pikachu, Pokémon (1996) Japanese CoroCoro Comic Promo Glossy - Marketing Variation graded CGC 7.5 (lot 9) realized $242,700. The Marketing Variation of Ivy Pikachu is one of the earliest cards produced for the Pokémon Trading Card Game. It was showcased in marketing material before the Pokémon TCG was released, including posters, magazines, and on the cover of the October 1996 issue of CoroCoro Comic. This variant of Ivy Pikachu was never intended to be distributed to the public, which explains why it is so rare. CGC has certified three examples of the Marketing Variation of Ivy Pikachu, according to the CGC Cards Population Report.
This early version of Ivy Pikachu has several key differences in its artwork and card features that set it apart from the other four variants of the card. Most notably, this version of Ivy Pikachu has a pair of leaves right underneath Pikachu's left foot, and Pikachu is shifted slightly to the right instead of being centered in the art box. Additionally, the Marketing Variation of Ivy Pikachu correctly names Keiji Kinebuchi as the illustrator of the card, unlike its magazine giveaway counterpart, which erroneously names Ken Sugimori as the illustrator.
To learn more about the different variants of Ivy Pikachu and for tips on how to identify which version of the card you may have, visit CGC's Ivy Pikachu Variant Guide.
Other CGC-certified cards in the auction included:
a Gengar, Pokémon (2001) Japanese Pokemon Web - 047/048 Holo 1st Edition graded CGC Perfect 10 (lot 228) that realized $44,326
a Parasect/Charizard, Snack Stickers 1 (1996) Bandai Holo graded CGC 7 (lot 156) that realized $35,502
a Gengar, Pokémon (2003) Skyridge Holo graded CGC Gem Mint 10 (lot 260) that realized $34,770
a Sabrina's Gengar, Pokémon (2000) Gym Heroes Holo graded CGC Pristine 10 (lot 215) that realized $31,721
a Magikarp, Pokémon (2002) Legendary Collection Reverse Holo graded CGC Gem Mint 10 (lot 246) that realized $19,886
All prices realized include a buyer's premium.