Best Zapdos Cards to Grade

The Zapdos cards where grading pays off most — ranked by net profit from raw to PSA 10 after real grading costs, with each card's estimated gem rate and risk-adjusted return. Top pick: Rocket's Zapdos ex (Team Rocket Returns) at +$7,584 best-case net.

Best cards to grade, ranked by risk-adjusted grading profit

#	Card	Raw	PSA 10	Cost	Net (best)	Risk-adj.
1	Rocket's Zapdos exTeam Rocket Returns #106 · 8% gem rate	$312	$8,400	$504	+$7,584	+$356
2	ZapdosAquapolis #H32 · 12.1% gem rate	$246	$7,000	$490	+$6,264	+$628
3	Zapdos exFireRed & LeafGreen #116 · 16.2% gem rate	$142	$3,800	$233	+$3,425	+$525
4	ZapdosGenerations #29 · 5.6% gem rate	$46	$3,300	$228	+$3,027	−$13
5	Zapdos GArceus #12	$17	$2,760	$223	+$2,520	—
6	ZapdosBase Set 2 #20 · 3% gem rate	$41	$1,799	$123	+$1,635	−$46
7	ZapdosLegendary Collection #19 · 6% gem rate	$19	$1,750	$122	+$1,608	+$31
8	ZapdosBase #16 · 3.6% gem rate	$57	$1,633	$121	+$1,455	−$30
9	ZapdosSupreme Victors #150 · 1.8% gem rate	$211	$1,448	$119	+$1,117	+$84
10	Rocket's ZapdosGym Challenge #15 · 3.6% gem rate	$102	$1,148	$116	+$930	−$50
11	Zapdos-EXPlasma Storm #48 · 1% gem rate	$12	$925	$89	+$824	−$77
12	ZapdosFossil #15 · 2.5% gem rate	$42	$851	$89	+$721	−$35
13	ZapdosNext Destinies #41 · 0% gem rate	$8	$620	$86	+$526	−$80
14	ZapdosFossil #30 · 8.6% gem rate	$17	$425	$74	+$333	−$28
15	ZapdosSM Black Star Promos #SM159 · 14.8% gem rate	$100	$500	$75	+$325	−$41
16	ZapdosPokémon Rumble #8 · 2.7% gem rate	$118	$492	$75	+$299	−$47
17	Zapdos ex151 #202 · 29.1% gem rate	$98	$470	$75	+$297	+$39
18	ZapdosWizards Black Star Promos #23 · 34.4% gem rate	$21	$324	$73	+$230	+$46
19	Moltres & Zapdos & Articuno-GXSM Black Star Promos #SM210 · 56.5% gem rate	$168	$450	$74	+$208	+$87
20	ZapdosAquapolis #44 · 26.7% gem rate	$60	$337	$73	+$204	+$22
21	ZapdosLegendary Treasures #46 · 11.2% gem rate	$6	$260	$73	+$181	−$19
22	ZapdosEvolutions #42 · 9.8% gem rate	$6	$213	$72	+$135	−$40
23	ZapdosSM Black Star Promos #SM145 · 9.2% gem rate	$13	$167	$72	+$83	−$46
24	Galarian ZapdosSWSH Black Star Promos #SWSH124 · 28.5% gem rate	$11	$155	$72	+$72	−$20
25	Moltres & Zapdos & Articuno-GXHidden Fates #66 · 50.4% gem rate	$42	$161	$72	+$47	−$8
26	Moltres & Zapdos & Articuno-GXHidden Fates #44 · 65.1% gem rate	$58	$173	$72	+$43	+$2
27	Galarian Zapdos VChilling Reign #174 · 57% gem rate	$67	$161	$72	+$23	−$19
28	Moltres & Zapdos & Articuno-GXHidden Fates #69 · 63.8% gem rate	$44	$135	$71	+$20	−$11
29	Zapdos ex151 #192 · 38.2% gem rate	$12	$99	$71	+$16	−$31
30	Galarian Zapdos VChilling Reign #173 · 54.5% gem rate	$9	$90	$71	+$10	−$22
31	Galarian ZapdosEvolving Skies #82 · 25.2% gem rate	$9	$86	$71	+$7	−$46
32	ZapdosSupreme Victors #48 · 15% gem rate	$7	$80	$71	+$3	−$50
33	Galarian Zapdos VAstral Radiance Trainer Gallery #TG19 · 60.4% gem rate	$14	$85	$71	+$0	−$25

Net (best) = PSA 10 value − raw value − grading cost (PSA fees as of 2026-06-28). Risk-adjusted weights every grade by its estimated likelihood from PSA population (cumulative and biased toward nicer copies — a guide, not a guarantee).

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