Best Pokémon cards to grade
Ranked by expected profit per submission — every grade outcome weighted by how often the card actually receives it in the PSA population — after current grading fees. The PSA 10 best case is on every row, but it no longer decides the order: a card that gems one time in twenty is not a better bet than one that gems one time in three. Top pick: Zekrom ex at an expected +$282.
Cards worth grading4,805
With a gem-rate sample4,51094% of the population
Positive expected value2,840
Median gem rate18.2%
PSA fees as of2026-08-26
Ranked by expected profit73 matching
| # | Card | Raw | PSA 9 | PSA 10 | Cost | Best case | Gem rate | Expected | Sample |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Expected +$282 per submission: 51% of 10,433 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($1,473), and only a PSA 10 covers the $752 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $637 | $575 | $1,473 | $115 | +$721 | 51% | +$282 | 10,433 high |
| 2 | Expected +$253 per submission: 48.9% of 5,267 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($1,421), and only a PSA 10 covers the $749 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $635 | $599 | $1,421 | $114 | +$671 | 48.9% | +$253 | 5,267 high |
| 3 | Expected +$135 per submission: 16.4% of 6,061 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($1,800), and only a PSA 10 covers the $441 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $254 | $233 | $1,800 | $187 | +$1,359 | 16.4% | +$135 | 6,061 high |
| 4 | Expected +$35 per submission: 15.1% of 948 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($599), and only a PSA 10 covers the $159 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $53 | $115 | $599 | $106 | +$440 | 15.1% | +$35 | 948 high |
| 5 | Expected +$30 per submission: 61.5% of 10,706 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($495), and only a PSA 10 covers the $372 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $297 | $255 | $495 | $75 | +$124 | 61.5% | +$30 | 10,706 high |
| 6 | Expected +$28 per submission: 18.1% of 629 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($550), and only a PSA 10 covers the $140 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $35 | $60 | $550 | $105 | +$409 | 18.1% | +$28 | 629 high |
| 7 | Expected +$28 per submission: 38% of 1,640 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($320), and only a PSA 10 covers the $143 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $70 | $85 | $320 | $73 | +$177 | 38% | +$28 | 1,640 high |
| 8 | Expected +$27 per submission: 17.3% of 1,448 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($570), and only a PSA 10 covers the $163 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $57 | $84 | $570 | $106 | +$407 | 17.3% | +$27 | 1,448 high |
| 9 | Expected +$16 per submission: 14.1% of 524 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($500), and only a PSA 10 covers the $108 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $33 | $70 | $500 | $75 | +$392 | 14.1% | +$16 | 524 high |
| 10 | Expected +$16 per submission: 18.1% of 2,197 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($445), and only a PSA 10 covers the $106 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $32 | $55 | $445 | $74 | +$339 | 18.1% | +$16 | 2,197 high |
| 11 | Expected +$13 per submission: 16.2% of 197 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($500), and only a PSA 10 covers the $85 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $10 | $15 | $500 | $75 | +$415 | 16.2% | +$13 | 197 high |
| 12 | Expected +$13 per submission: 17.3% of 254 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($532), and only a PSA 10 covers the $148 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $43 | $55 | $532 | $105 | +$384 | 17.3% | +$13 | 254 high |
| 13 | Expected +$12 per submission: 17.1% of 175 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($600), and only a PSA 10 covers the $137 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $31 | $21 | $600 | $106 | +$463 | 17.1% | +$12 | 175 high |
| 14 | Expected +$10 per submission: 11.4% of 255 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($698), and only a PSA 10 covers the $125 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $18 | $35 | $698 | $107 | +$573 | 11.4% | +$10 | 255 high |
| 15 | Expected +$7 per submission: 15.6% of 449 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($550), and only a PSA 10 covers the $130 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $25 | $29 | $550 | $105 | +$419 | 15.6% | +$7 | 449 high |
| 16 | Expected +$7 per submission: 30.3% of 228 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($250), and only a PSA 10 covers the $90 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $18 | $34 | $250 | $72 | +$160 | 30.3% | +$7 | 228 high |
| 17 | Expected +$6 per submission: 26.4% of 242 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($251), and only a PSA 10 covers the $102 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $29 | $60 | $251 | $73 | +$150 | 26.4% | +$6 | 242 high |
| 18 | Expected +$5 per submission: 11.4% of 1,017 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($730), and only a PSA 10 covers the $139 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $32 | $39 | $730 | $107 | +$591 | 11.4% | +$5 | 1,017 high |
| 19 | Expected +$5 per submission: 25% of 544 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($305), and only a PSA 10 covers the $105 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $32 | $50 | $305 | $73 | +$200 | 25% | +$5 | 544 high |
| 20 | Expected +$3 per submission: 20.4% of 216 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($310), and only a PSA 10 covers the $82 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $9 | $29 | $310 | $73 | +$228 | 20.4% | +$3 | 216 high |
| 21 | Expected +$1 per submission: 19.2% of 494 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($345), and only a PSA 10 covers the $88 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $15 | $30 | $345 | $73 | +$257 | 19.2% | +$1 | 494 high |
| 22 | Expected +$1 per submission: 22.4% of 330 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($295), and only a PSA 10 covers the $87 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $14 | $27 | $295 | $73 | +$208 | 22.4% | +$1 | 330 high |
| 23 | Expected loss −$2 per submission: 4.3% of 374 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($1,250), and a PSA 9 ($200) still clears the $177 you have in it. Confidence high on that sample. | $65 | $200 | $1,250 | $112 | +$1,073 | 4.3% | −$2 | 374 high |
| 24 | Expected loss −$2 per submission: 25.7% of 245 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($238), and only a PSA 10 covers the $79 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $7 | $22 | $238 | $72 | +$159 | 25.7% | −$2 | 245 high |
| 25 | Expected loss −$3 per submission: 17.5% of 634 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($430), and only a PSA 10 covers the $116 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $42 | $46 | $430 | $74 | +$314 | 17.5% | −$3 | 634 high |
| 26 | Expected loss −$3 per submission: 20% of 461 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($350), and only a PSA 10 covers the $91 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $18 | $25 | $350 | $73 | +$258 | 20% | −$3 | 461 high |
| 27 | Expected loss −$3 per submission: 31.7% of 357 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($213), and only a PSA 10 covers the $81 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $9 | $15 | $213 | $72 | +$131 | 31.7% | −$3 | 357 high |
| 28 | Expected loss −$4 per submission: 19.9% of 418 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($350), and only a PSA 10 covers the $92 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $19 | $22 | $350 | $73 | +$258 | 19.9% | −$4 | 418 high |
| 29 | Expected loss −$4 per submission: 20% of 265 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($350), and only a PSA 10 covers the $98 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $25 | $28 | $350 | $73 | +$251 | 20% | −$4 | 265 high |
| 30 | Expected loss −$4 per submission: 17.7% of 310 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($305), and only a PSA 10 covers the $86 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $13 | $35 | $305 | $73 | +$218 | 17.7% | −$4 | 310 high |
| 31 | Expected loss −$5 per submission: 13% of 345 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($525), and only a PSA 10 covers the $132 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $27 | $35 | $525 | $105 | +$393 | 13% | −$5 | 345 high |
| 32 | Expected loss −$6 per submission: 19% of 574 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($330), and only a PSA 10 covers the $90 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $17 | $26 | $330 | $73 | +$240 | 19% | −$6 | 574 high |
| 33 | Expected loss −$6 per submission: 20% of 661 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($325), and only a PSA 10 covers the $93 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $20 | $27 | $325 | $73 | +$232 | 20% | −$6 | 661 high |
| 34 | Expected loss −$6 per submission: 20.1% of 477 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($300), and only a PSA 10 covers the $87 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $14 | $25 | $300 | $73 | +$213 | 20.1% | −$6 | 477 high |
| 35 | Expected loss −$6 per submission: 22.7% of 538 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($275), and only a PSA 10 covers the $91 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $18 | $30 | $275 | $73 | +$184 | 22.7% | −$6 | 538 high |
| 36 | Expected loss −$7 per submission: 16.7% of 551 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($349), and only a PSA 10 covers the $86 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $13 | $23 | $349 | $73 | +$263 | 16.7% | −$7 | 551 high |
| 37 | Expected loss −$8 per submission: 21.6% of 559 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($335), and only a PSA 10 covers the $103 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $30 | $27 | $335 | $73 | +$232 | 21.6% | −$8 | 559 high |
| 38 | Expected loss −$9 per submission: 21% of 372 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($255), and only a PSA 10 covers the $84 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $11 | $25 | $255 | $73 | +$172 | 21% | −$9 | 372 high |
| 39 | Expected loss −$10 per submission: 18.1% of 270 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($330), and only a PSA 10 covers the $85 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $12 | $18 | $330 | $73 | +$245 | 18.1% | −$10 | 270 high |
| 40 | Expected loss −$10 per submission: 26.6% of 263 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($210), and only a PSA 10 covers the $80 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $8 | $18 | $210 | $72 | +$130 | 26.6% | −$10 | 263 high |
| 41 | Expected loss −$11 per submission: 16.4% of 366 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($326), and only a PSA 10 covers the $85 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $12 | $24 | $326 | $73 | +$241 | 16.4% | −$11 | 366 high |
| 42 | Expected loss −$12 per submission: 20.3% of 728 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($252), and only a PSA 10 covers the $93 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $20 | $40 | $252 | $73 | +$160 | 20.3% | −$12 | 728 high |
| 43 | Expected loss −$12 per submission: 22.2% of 825 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($232), and only a PSA 10 covers the $91 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $19 | $40 | $232 | $72 | +$141 | 22.2% | −$12 | 825 high |
| 44 | Expected loss −$13 per submission: 64.9% of 6,365 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($180), and only a PSA 10 covers the $154 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $82 | $70 | $180 | $72 | +$26 | 64.9% | −$13 | 6,365 high |
| 45 | Expected loss −$14 per submission: 12.6% of 174 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($400), and only a PSA 10 covers the $84 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $10 | $21 | $400 | $74 | +$316 | 12.6% | −$14 | 174 high |
| 46 | Expected loss −$15 per submission: 14.5% of 214 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($300), and only a PSA 10 covers the $80 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $7 | $30 | $300 | $73 | +$220 | 14.5% | −$15 | 214 high |
| 47 | Expected loss −$16 per submission: 23.8% of 353 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($240), and only a PSA 10 covers the $92 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $20 | $25 | $240 | $72 | +$148 | 23.8% | −$16 | 353 high |
| 48 | Expected loss −$16 per submission: 25.2% of 405 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($215), and only a PSA 10 covers the $85 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $13 | $20 | $215 | $72 | +$130 | 25.2% | −$16 | 405 high |
| 49 | Expected loss −$17 per submission: 25.4% of 389 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($250), and only a PSA 10 covers the $100 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $28 | $27 | $250 | $72 | +$150 | 25.4% | −$17 | 389 high |
| 50 | Expected loss −$17 per submission: 21.6% of 259 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($229), and only a PSA 10 covers the $80 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $8 | $16 | $229 | $72 | +$149 | 21.6% | −$17 | 259 high |
| 51 | Expected loss −$18 per submission: 23.4% of 488 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($213), and only a PSA 10 covers the $84 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $12 | $22 | $213 | $72 | +$128 | 23.4% | −$18 | 488 high |
| 52 | Expected loss −$19 per submission: 15.7% of 281 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($353), and only a PSA 10 covers the $98 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $24 | $29 | $353 | $74 | +$255 | 15.7% | −$19 | 281 high |
| 53 | Expected loss −$20 per submission: 19.7% of 350 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($261), and only a PSA 10 covers the $89 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $16 | $20 | $261 | $73 | +$173 | 19.7% | −$20 | 350 high |
| 54 | Expected loss −$22 per submission: 18% of 305 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($280), and only a PSA 10 covers the $87 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $14 | $15 | $280 | $73 | +$194 | 18% | −$22 | 305 high |
| 55 | Expected loss −$22 per submission: 20.4% of 313 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($205), and only a PSA 10 covers the $82 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $10 | $22 | $205 | $72 | +$123 | 20.4% | −$22 | 313 high |
| 56 | Expected loss −$24 per submission: 24.5% of 412 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($215), and only a PSA 10 covers the $101 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $29 | $35 | $215 | $72 | +$114 | 24.5% | −$24 | 412 high |
| 57 | Expected loss −$25 per submission: 18.4% of 668 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($264), and only a PSA 10 covers the $92 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $19 | $20 | $264 | $73 | +$173 | 18.4% | −$25 | 668 high |
| 58 | Expected loss −$25 per submission: 18.2% of 341 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($252), and only a PSA 10 covers the $88 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $15 | $20 | $252 | $73 | +$164 | 18.2% | −$25 | 341 high |
| 59 | Expected loss −$25 per submission: 24.4% of 172 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($132), and only a PSA 10 covers the $78 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $7 | $30 | $132 | $71 | +$54 | 24.4% | −$25 | 172 high |
| 60 | Expected loss −$26 per submission: 9.4% of 255 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($410), and only a PSA 10 covers the $86 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $12 | $21 | $410 | $74 | +$323 | 9.4% | −$26 | 255 high |
| 61 | Expected loss −$26 per submission: 19.9% of 321 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($237), and only a PSA 10 covers the $86 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $14 | $14 | $237 | $72 | +$151 | 19.9% | −$26 | 321 high |
| 62 | Expected loss −$27 per submission: 12.1% of 297 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($430), and only a PSA 10 covers the $112 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $38 | $40 | $430 | $74 | +$317 | 12.1% | −$27 | 297 high |
| 63 | Expected loss −$27 per submission: 18.9% of 386 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($203), and only a PSA 10 covers the $85 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $13 | $25 | $203 | $72 | +$118 | 18.9% | −$27 | 386 high |
| 64 | Expected loss −$28 per submission: 26.2% of 214 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($201), and only a PSA 10 covers the $97 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $25 | $22 | $201 | $72 | +$104 | 26.2% | −$28 | 214 high |
| 65 | Expected loss −$28 per submission: 19.3% of 326 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($180), and only a PSA 10 covers the $81 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $9 | $23 | $180 | $72 | +$100 | 19.3% | −$28 | 326 high |
| 66 | Expected loss −$29 per submission: 17.6% of 199 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($300), and only a PSA 10 covers the $104 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $31 | $30 | $300 | $73 | +$196 | 17.6% | −$29 | 199 high |
| 67 | Expected loss −$32 per submission: 15.3% of 216 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($220), and only a PSA 10 covers the $79 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $7 | $16 | $220 | $72 | +$140 | 15.3% | −$32 | 216 high |
| 68 | Expected loss −$33 per submission: 16.1% of 255 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($220), and only a PSA 10 covers the $81 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $9 | $15 | $220 | $72 | +$139 | 16.1% | −$33 | 255 high |
| 69 | Expected loss −$33 per submission: 17.8% of 381 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($199), and only a PSA 10 covers the $88 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $16 | $25 | $199 | $72 | +$111 | 17.8% | −$33 | 381 high |
| 70 | Expected loss −$33 per submission: 17.8% of 422 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($188), and only a PSA 10 covers the $81 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $9 | $19 | $188 | $72 | +$107 | 17.8% | −$33 | 422 high |
| 71 | Expected loss −$36 per submission: 12.2% of 369 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($461), and only a PSA 10 covers the $130 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $55 | $46 | $461 | $75 | +$331 | 12.2% | −$36 | 369 high |
| 72 | Expected loss −$36 per submission: 10.1% of 198 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($300), and only a PSA 10 covers the $80 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $7 | $13 | $300 | $73 | +$220 | 10.1% | −$36 | 198 high |
| 73 | Expected loss −$38 per submission: 13.3% of 150 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($222), and only a PSA 10 covers the $78 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $6 | $10 | $222 | $72 | +$144 | 13.3% | −$38 | 150 high |
How the ranking works — and where it can mislead
Expected profit = (gem rate × PSA 10) + (PSA 9 rate × PSA 9) + (sub-9 rate × the card's own sub-9 prices) − raw price − grading cost. Best case is the PSA 10 leg alone. Grading cost is the PSA tier fee for the graded value plus roughly $20 round-trip shipping, at fees as of 2026-08-26; the paused PSA Value tier is excluded and membership is not included.
Population selection bias. Gem rates are the share of the graded population at PSA 10 (PSA population report; CGC's when PSA has fewer than 10 copies). That population is self-selected: collectors grade their cleanest copies, and near misses get cracked and resubmitted, so it overstates what a random raw copy would achieve. Read a gem rate as an upper bound, and read it against its sample — confidence is high from 100, medium from 30, low from 10 graded copies; under 10, the card is shown as best-case only rather than ranked.
Prices. Raw is CardTrack's blended near-mint price for the exact printing; PSA 9 and PSA 10 come from the card's graded price ladder, with a PSA 9 estimated at 0.4× the 10 when the ladder has no 9. Where the ladder has no price for a lower grade, that leg is valued at raw. None of this is a sold price for your copy — it is a model of what the market has paid, and grading outcomes are not guaranteed.
PSA grading standards
Centering is the one criterion PSA publishes as a hard number, so it is the only part of a grade you can check yourself before paying. The ratios below are the widest border PSA allows at each grade — a card is judged on its worse axis, and the reverse is graded too. Meeting the centering limit does not earn the grade: corners, edges and surface all still have to hold up.
| Grade | Front | Back | What the card looks like |
|---|---|---|---|
| PSA 10 GEM-MT | 55/45 | 75/25 | Effectively flawless to the naked eye. Four sharp corners, clean edges, full original gloss and no staining. A minor printing flaw can survive if it does not hurt the card's overall look, but wear cannot — this is the grade where centering is tightest and most 10 attempts fail. |
| PSA 9 MINT | 60/40 | 90/10 | Mint to the eye, with one small permitted flaw: a faint surface imperfection, a tiny printing blemish, or slightly off-white borders. Corners and edges still look sharp. The usual difference between a 9 and a 10 is centering or a single point of very light wear. |
| PSA 8 NM-MT | 65/35 | 90/10 | Very light wear that needs looking for. Typically one slightly fuzzy corner, a minor surface mark, or minimally off-white borders. Still presents as a clean card at arm's length. |
| PSA 7 NM | 70/30 | 90/10 | Light wear that is visible without hunting for it — slight fraying at a corner or two, minor surface wear, or a small loss of gloss. No creasing. |
| PSA 6 EX-MT | 80/20 | 90/10 | Obvious but modest handling. Corners show visible rounding, edges show wear, and the surface may have lost some gloss. Colour is still strong and the card is free of creases. |
| PSA 5 EX | 85/15 | 90/10 | Clearly played. Rounded corners, noticeable edge wear and some surface scuffing, with colour beginning to dull. Still whole and presentable. |
| PSA 4 VG-EX | 85/15 | 90/10 | Well handled. Corner rounding is pronounced, surface wear is easy to see, and a very light crease may be present without dropping the card further. |
| PSA 3 VG | 90/10 | 90/10 | Heavy handling. Rounded corners, dulled colour, scuffing or scratching, and light creasing. The card reads as used rather than collected. |
| PSA 2 GOOD | 90/10 | 90/10 | Substantial wear throughout — heavy corner rounding, creasing, surface damage or writing. Intact and identifiable, but plainly worn. |
| PSA 1.5 FR | 90/10 | 90/10 | Severe wear, stopping short of destroyed. Heavy creasing, major surface loss or damage, but the card is complete with no missing pieces. |
| PSA 1 PR | — | — | The floor. Extreme damage — major creasing, staining, tears, missing paper or pieces. Graded so the card can be authenticated and slabbed at all, not because condition is being certified. |
Qualifiers
When a single defect is the only thing holding a card back, PSA can grade it with a qualifier — a slab reading PSA 8 (OC) rather than dropping to a 6. Qualified cards usually trade below an unqualified card of the same number, so the letters matter when you are pricing one.
- OC — Off-Centre: Centering is outside the tolerance for the grade the card would otherwise earn.
- ST — Staining: A stain the card is otherwise clean enough to have avoided.
- PD — Print Defect: A flaw introduced when the card was printed, not by handling.
- OF — Out of Focus: The image itself was printed soft — a manufacturing fault, not wear.
- MK — Marks: Ink or pencil marks on the card.
- MC — Miscut: Cut outside the intended borders at the factory.
Grade criteria and centering tolerances are published by PSA. Summaries here are ours. See the official PSA grading standards for the authoritative text.
Grading FAQ
Which Pokémon cards are worth grading?
The cards whose expected graded value — PSA 10, PSA 9 and lower grades each weighted by how often that card actually receives them — beats the raw price plus the grading fee. Right now that is led by Zekrom ex (Black Bolt) at an expected +$282 per submission.
How is expected grading profit calculated?
Expected value = (gem rate × PSA 10 price) + (PSA 9 rate × PSA 9 price) + (sub-9 rate × the card's own sub-9 prices) − raw price − grading cost. Rates come from the PSA population report (CGC when PSA has fewer than 10 copies); the grading cost is the PSA tier fee for the graded value plus roughly $20 round-trip shipping, at fees as of 2026-08-26.
Why is a card with a huge PSA 10 price not at the top?
Because a PSA 10 price only matters as often as the card gems. A card with fewer than 10 graded copies has no measurable gem rate, so it is listed separately as best-case only rather than ranked above cards with evidence.
Are gem rates reliable?
They are the share of the graded population at PSA 10, and that population is self-selected: people grade their cleanest copies and crack-and-resubmit near misses. Treat the gem rate as an upper bound for a random raw copy, and weight the sample size — the confidence label on each row reflects it.