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: Umbreon VMAX at an expected +$892.
Cards worth grading4,797
With a gem-rate sample4,50794% of the population
Positive expected value2,819
Median gem rate18.3%
PSA fees as of2026-08-26
Ranked by expected profit44 matching
| # | Card | Raw | PSA 9 | PSA 10 | Cost | Best case | Gem rate | Expected | Sample |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Expected +$892 per submission: 69.8% of 30,116 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($4,150), and only a PSA 10 covers the $2,682 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $2,271 | $2,203 | $4,150 | $411 | +$1,468 | 69.8% | +$892 | 30,116 high |
| 2 | Expected +$372 per submission: 68.6% of 21,334 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($2,600), and only a PSA 10 covers the $1,809 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $1,414 | $1,100 | $2,600 | $395 | +$791 | 68.6% | +$372 | 21,334 high |
| 3 | Expected +$279 per submission: 51.2% of 18,220 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($1,345), and only a PSA 10 covers the $647 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $534 | $488 | $1,345 | $113 | +$697 | 51.2% | +$279 | 18,220 high |
| 4 | Expected +$229 per submission: 51% of 20,223 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($1,150), and only a PSA 10 covers the $589 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $478 | $463 | $1,150 | $111 | +$560 | 51% | +$229 | 20,223 high |
| 5 | Expected +$136 per submission: 43.9% of 18,852 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($1,050), and only a PSA 10 covers the $544 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $434 | $375 | $1,050 | $110 | +$505 | 43.9% | +$136 | 18,852 high |
| 6 | Expected +$108 per submission: 60.9% of 3,364 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($361), and only a PSA 10 covers the $150 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $76 | $106 | $361 | $74 | +$212 | 60.9% | +$108 | 3,364 high |
| 7 | Expected +$95 per submission: 71.3% of 14,963 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($561), and only a PSA 10 covers the $391 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $285 | $276 | $561 | $106 | +$170 | 71.3% | +$95 | 14,963 high |
| 8 | Expected +$90 per submission: 74.5% of 5,916 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($350), and only a PSA 10 covers the $197 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $124 | $115 | $350 | $73 | +$152 | 74.5% | +$90 | 5,916 high |
| 9 | Expected +$61 per submission: 72.3% of 19,061 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($642), and only a PSA 10 covers the $505 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $399 | $371 | $642 | $106 | +$136 | 72.3% | +$61 | 19,061 high |
| 10 | Expected +$54 per submission: 51.7% of 13,373 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($450), and only a PSA 10 covers the $262 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $188 | $178 | $450 | $74 | +$188 | 51.7% | +$54 | 13,373 high |
| 11 | Expected +$42 per submission: 37.6% of 3,749 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($347), and only a PSA 10 covers the $133 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $60 | $90 | $347 | $73 | +$213 | 37.6% | +$42 | 3,749 high |
| 12 | Expected +$42 per submission: 66.1% of 4,611 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($175), and only a PSA 10 covers the $88 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $16 | $45 | $175 | $72 | +$87 | 66.1% | +$42 | 4,611 high |
| 13 | Expected +$38 per submission: 45.2% of 1,725 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($255), and only a PSA 10 covers the $109 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $36 | $66 | $255 | $73 | +$146 | 45.2% | +$38 | 1,725 high |
| 14 | Expected +$33 per submission: 51.8% of 6,339 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($285), and only a PSA 10 covers the $148 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $75 | $80 | $285 | $73 | +$137 | 51.8% | +$33 | 6,339 high |
| 15 | Expected +$32 per submission: 73.6% of 5,540 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($222), and only a PSA 10 covers the $150 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $78 | $75 | $222 | $72 | +$72 | 73.6% | +$32 | 5,540 high |
| 16 | Expected +$26 per submission: 65.7% of 7,942 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($170), and only a PSA 10 covers the $101 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $29 | $45 | $170 | $72 | +$70 | 65.7% | +$26 | 7,942 high |
| 17 | Expected +$21 per submission: 50.3% of 13,268 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($485), and only a PSA 10 covers the $330 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $255 | $229 | $485 | $75 | +$156 | 50.3% | +$21 | 13,268 high |
| 18 | Expected +$15 per submission: 35.3% of 1,282 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($230), and only a PSA 10 covers the $81 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $9 | $28 | $230 | $72 | +$149 | 35.3% | +$15 | 1,282 high |
| 19 | Expected +$9 per submission: 54.7% of 11,735 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($305), and only a PSA 10 covers the $218 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $145 | $140 | $305 | $73 | +$87 | 54.7% | +$9 | 11,735 high |
| 20 | Expected +$9 per submission: 58.8% of 1,736 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($160), and only a PSA 10 covers the $100 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $28 | $36 | $160 | $72 | +$60 | 58.8% | +$9 | 1,736 high |
| 21 | Expected +$8 per submission: 71.3% of 335 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($115), and only a PSA 10 covers the $78 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $7 | $17 | $115 | $71 | +$36 | 71.3% | +$8 | 335 high |
| 22 | Expected +$7 per submission: 72.9% of 3,594 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($155), and only a PSA 10 covers the $118 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $46 | $50 | $155 | $72 | +$38 | 72.9% | +$7 | 3,594 high |
| 23 | Expected +$6 per submission: 54.4% of 926 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($139), and only a PSA 10 covers the $91 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $20 | $56 | $139 | $71 | +$48 | 54.4% | +$6 | 926 high |
| 24 | Expected +$5 per submission: 49% of 12,559 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($325), and only a PSA 10 covers the $234 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $161 | $175 | $325 | $73 | +$90 | 49% | +$5 | 12,559 high |
| 25 | Expected +$3 per submission: 66.7% of 3,212 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($120), and only a PSA 10 covers the $87 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $16 | $30 | $120 | $71 | +$34 | 66.7% | +$3 | 3,212 high |
| 26 | Expected loss −$4 per submission: 71.4% of 329 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($94), and only a PSA 10 covers the $80 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $9 | $36 | $94 | $71 | +$13 | 71.4% | −$4 | 329 high |
| 27 | Expected loss −$7 per submission: 65.5% of 1,848 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($100), and only a PSA 10 covers the $81 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $10 | $26 | $100 | $71 | +$19 | 65.5% | −$7 | 1,848 high |
| 28 | Expected loss −$9 per submission: 50.2% of 1,278 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($115), and only a PSA 10 covers the $91 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $20 | $60 | $115 | $71 | +$24 | 50.2% | −$9 | 1,278 high |
| 29 | Expected loss −$9 per submission: 66.4% of 2,875 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($100), and only a PSA 10 covers the $90 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $19 | $45 | $100 | $71 | +$10 | 66.4% | −$9 | 2,875 high |
| 30 | Expected loss −$11 per submission: 64.6% of 2,281 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($95), and only a PSA 10 covers the $81 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $10 | $27 | $95 | $71 | +$14 | 64.6% | −$11 | 2,281 high |
| 31 | Expected loss −$13 per submission: 53.3% of 3,020 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($150), and only a PSA 10 covers the $109 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $38 | $40 | $150 | $71 | +$40 | 53.3% | −$13 | 3,020 high |
| 32 | Expected loss −$16 per submission: 70.1% of 3,208 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($144), and only a PSA 10 covers the $132 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $61 | $59 | $144 | $71 | +$11 | 70.1% | −$16 | 3,208 high |
| 33 | Expected loss −$17 per submission: 62.9% of 768 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($86), and only a PSA 10 covers the $81 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $10 | $28 | $86 | $71 | +$5 | 62.9% | −$17 | 768 high |
| 34 | Expected loss −$17 per submission: 66.9% of 2,390 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($86), and only a PSA 10 covers the $82 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $11 | $26 | $86 | $71 | +$4 | 66.9% | −$17 | 2,390 high |
| 35 | Expected loss −$18 per submission: 43.3% of 1,264 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($135), and only a PSA 10 covers the $93 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $22 | $31 | $135 | $71 | +$42 | 43.3% | −$18 | 1,264 high |
| 36 | Expected loss −$18 per submission: 53.5% of 1,422 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($114), and only a PSA 10 covers the $91 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $20 | $27 | $114 | $71 | +$23 | 53.5% | −$18 | 1,422 high |
| 37 | Expected loss −$22 per submission: 47% of 1,291 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($100), and only a PSA 10 covers the $85 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $14 | $33 | $100 | $71 | +$15 | 47% | −$22 | 1,291 high |
| 38 | Expected loss −$22 per submission: 54.1% of 721 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($97), and only a PSA 10 covers the $83 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $12 | $20 | $97 | $71 | +$14 | 54.1% | −$22 | 721 high |
| 39 | Expected loss −$24 per submission: 49.3% of 1,960 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($130), and only a PSA 10 covers the $109 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $38 | $45 | $130 | $71 | +$21 | 49.3% | −$24 | 1,960 high |
| 40 | Expected loss −$24 per submission: 58.7% of 1,563 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($100), and only a PSA 10 covers the $98 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $27 | $40 | $100 | $71 | +$2 | 58.7% | −$24 | 1,563 high |
| 41 | Expected loss −$25 per submission: 61.7% of 2,930 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($95), and only a PSA 10 covers the $94 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $23 | $28 | $95 | $71 | +$1 | 61.7% | −$25 | 2,930 high |
| 42 | Expected loss −$27 per submission: 46.5% of 1,290 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($115), and only a PSA 10 covers the $95 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $24 | $32 | $115 | $71 | +$20 | 46.5% | −$27 | 1,290 high |
| 43 | Expected loss −$40 per submission: 21.4% of 140 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($120), and only a PSA 10 covers the $79 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $8 | $21 | $120 | $71 | +$41 | 21.4% | −$40 | 140 high |
| 44 | Expected loss −$51 per submission: 71.8% of 15,376 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($573), and only a PSA 10 covers the $566 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $460 | $360 | $573 | $106 | +$7 | 71.8% | −$51 | 15,376 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 Umbreon VMAX (Evolving Skies) at an expected +$892 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.