DALLAS, TX.- To the victors go the spoils.

The adage applies not only to conquering military heroes, but also to the winners of illustration contests presented by CoroCoro Comics. The winners of three contests held in 1998 received an ultra-rare Pokémon "Pikachu" Illustrator Unnumbered Promo CoroCoro Comics CGC Trading Card Game Gem Mint 10 (The Pokémon Company, 1998), one of which is in play at Heritage Auctions' Trading Card Games Platinum Session and Signature® Auction September 23-24.

"The words ‘holy grail' describe the most valuable and desirable item available, and this card is just that," says Jesus Garcia, Trading Cards Consignment Director at Heritage Auctions. "The card's rarity, combined with its Gem Mint 10 grade makes this example an instant centerpiece for any collection. Only 23 were awarded at the first contest, and the two ensuing contests each only produced eight, so the total population is just 39.

"But the scarcity is not the only reason it is such an important card. CoroCoro Comics, with titles like Pokémon and Doraemon, is extremely popular in Japan. The artwork is by Atsuko Nishida, who designed several of the most well-known Pokémon, including Pikachu. So it's a rare contest-only card, and also features a design by the artist who originally drew Pikachu."

A Pokémon Charizard No. 4 First Edition Base Set CGC Trading Card Game Gem Mint 10 (The Pokémon Company, 1999) Rare, Holo is a magnificent example — CGC has 18 certified copies with the Gem Mint 10 grade, and only one graded higher — of arguably the hottest card in the hobby. An undisputed fan favorite, Charizard even tops the franchise mascot, Pikachu, in popularity. The artwork for the card was done by Mitsuhiro Arita, whose résumé also includes work on Final Fantasy XI and BERSERK: the golden ages I-III.

A Pokémon Tropical Wind Unnumbered Tropical Mega Battle Participation Prize Card CGC Trading Card Game Gem Mint 10 (The Pokémon Company, 1999) is a magnificent example — the offered example is one of just two certified Gem Mint 10 by CGC — of a card that rarely appears at the auction block. This card was originally awarded as a participation award in the Final Tournament at nine regional Challenge Road tournaments, with just 64 cards being handed out each. An additional 10 copies were given away in a lottery through Trainers Magazine Vol. 3, bringing the total number of copies to 586. The artwork is done by Sumiyoshi Kizuki, whose style is notable because it often resembles crayons.

The only example of a Pokémon No. 1 Trainer Tropical Mega Battle CGC Trading Card Game Pristine 10 (The Pokémon Company, 1999) Regional Tournament, First Place Prize to earn a Pristine 10 grade from CGC is one of the most desirable cards in the entire Pokémon Trading Card Game hobby, the No. 1 (Girl) Trainer card from the 2000 Tropical Mega Battle. This card was awarded to first-place winners of regional tournaments who then qualified to participate in the Tropical Mega Battle, an international Pokémon Trading Card Game tournament that took place annually in Honolulu from 1999 through 2001. The No. 1 Trainer card is among the rarest Pokémon cards in existence, never sold commercially and only awarded to a select few tournament winners.

A test print of the Pokémon Charizard No. 4 Unlimited Base Set Test Print CGC Trading Card Game NM/Mint 8 (Wizards of the Coast, 1999). Cosmos Holo with the Cosmos Foil pattern that was tried during the early phases of the game. This example is the only example that CGC has certified with the NM/Mint 8 grade, and there are just two carrying higher grades.

A Pokémon Lugia No. 9 First Edition Neo Genesis CGC Trading Card Game Gem Mint 10 (The Pokémon Company, 2000) Rare, Holo is the most popular in the Neo Genesis set, which introduced Generation II Pokémon to the game. This example is one of just 38 that earned a Gem Mint 10 grade from CGC, with just three graded higher.

Magic: The Gathering
The auction also includes 11 Magic: The Gathering lots, including an exceptional example of one of the "Power Nine" cards: a Time Walk Limited Edition (Alpha) CGC Trading Card Game Gem Mint 10 (Wizards of the Coast, 1993) Rare card that gives players an additional turn. This is an Alpha Edition rarity that comes from a print run of just 1,100, and is one of only seven to receive a Gem Mint 10 grade from CGC.