An Ishihara GX graded CGC Gem Mint 10 broke another auction record in February 2026, further demonstrating the trust that collectors have in CGC’s authentication, grading, and encapsulation services. The CGC-certified Ishihara GX was just one of hundreds of CGC-certified cards that were offered in Landry Pop’s Pokémon 30: Icons, Rarities & Grails auction, which ended on March 10, 2026.
The Ishihara GX, Pokémon (2017) Black Star Promos – TPCi01 60th Birthday Party Giveaway graded CGC Gem Mint 10 (lot 257) realized $69,850, setting an auction record for an unsigned Ishihara GX promo. It was the highest price in the auction, even beating out several factory-sealed vintage booster boxes of Pokémon cards.
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Tsunekazu Ishihara is the President and CEO of The Pokémon Company and has been instrumental in the Pokémon franchise’s growth and success. To commemorate his 60th birthday and thank him for all his work, The Pokémon Company presented this promo to Ishihara at the Pokémon World Championships in 2018. The artwork — by Mike Cressy — depicts Ishihara holding a Master Ball with a Rotom by his side. Ishihara was so pleased with the results that he gave away several copies of the promo to select colleagues, friends, and staff at his 60th birthday party celebration.
It is currently unknown how many examples of Ishihara GX were printed and given away, but it is widely believed that only 30 to 200 copies were made. The card’s scarcity and provenance make it a centerpiece of any serious Pokémon TCG collection. So far, CGC has certified only 28 examples of Ishihara GX, according to the CGC Cards Population Report. Six — including this record-breaking example — are certified CGC Gem Mint 10, with none graded higher.
Other CGC-certified highlights in the auction included:
All prices realized include a buyer’s premium.