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: Mew ex at an expected +$386.
Cards worth grading4,804
With a gem-rate sample4,51194% of the population
Positive expected value2,827
Median gem rate18.3%
PSA fees as of2026-08-26
Ranked by expected profit62 matching
| # | Card | Raw | PSA 9 | PSA 10 | Cost | Best case | Gem rate | Expected | Sample |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Expected +$386 per submission: 33.8% of 47,808 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($3,055), and only a PSA 10 covers the $1,376 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $976 | $840 | $3,055 | $400 | +$1,679 | 33.8% | +$386 | 47,808 high |
| 2 | Expected +$145 per submission: 55.2% of 181 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($385), and only a PSA 10 covers the $84 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $10 | $34 | $385 | $74 | +$302 | 55.2% | +$145 | 181 high |
| 3 | Expected +$138 per submission: 44.8% of 1,148 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($525), and only a PSA 10 covers the $151 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $46 | $70 | $525 | $105 | +$374 | 44.8% | +$138 | 1,148 high |
| 4 | Expected +$132 per submission: 50.4% of 226 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($419), and only a PSA 10 covers the $104 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $30 | $49 | $419 | $74 | +$315 | 50.4% | +$132 | 226 high |
| 5 | Expected +$131 per submission: 52.7% of 182 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($403), and only a PSA 10 covers the $104 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $30 | $50 | $403 | $74 | +$299 | 52.7% | +$131 | 182 high |
| 6 | Expected +$122 per submission: 61.9% of 160 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($280), and a PSA 9 ($100) still clears the $86 you have in it. Confidence high on that sample. | $13 | $100 | $280 | $73 | +$194 | 61.9% | +$122 | 160 high |
| 7 | Expected +$119 per submission: 41.1% of 39,269 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($811), and only a PSA 10 covers the $394 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $286 | $275 | $811 | $108 | +$417 | 41.1% | +$119 | 39,269 high |
| 8 | Expected +$94 per submission: 43.4% of 1,076 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($400), and only a PSA 10 covers the $129 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $55 | $93 | $400 | $74 | +$271 | 43.4% | +$94 | 1,076 high |
| 9 | Expected +$75 per submission: 42.9% of 2,711 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($375), and only a PSA 10 covers the $131 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $57 | $80 | $375 | $74 | +$245 | 42.9% | +$75 | 2,711 high |
| 10 | Expected +$68 per submission: 50.2% of 638 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($275), and only a PSA 10 covers the $100 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $27 | $60 | $275 | $73 | +$176 | 50.2% | +$68 | 638 high |
| 11 | Expected +$50 per submission: 45.1% of 71 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($250), and only a PSA 10 covers the $77 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence medium on that sample. | $5 | $29 | $250 | $72 | +$172 | 45.1% | +$50 | 71 medium |
| 12 | Expected +$48 per submission: 57.7% of 1,417 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($213), and only a PSA 10 covers the $93 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $21 | $45 | $213 | $72 | +$120 | 57.7% | +$48 | 1,417 high |
| 13 | Expected +$45 per submission: 45% of 131 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($260), and only a PSA 10 covers the $79 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $6 | $9 | $260 | $73 | +$181 | 45% | +$45 | 131 high |
| 14 | Expected +$42 per submission: 33.3% of 9,771 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($350), and only a PSA 10 covers the $113 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $40 | $61 | $350 | $73 | +$236 | 33.3% | +$42 | 9,771 high |
| 15 | Expected +$39 per submission: 20% of 6,371 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($697), and only a PSA 10 covers the $197 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $90 | $98 | $697 | $107 | +$500 | 20% | +$39 | 6,371 high |
| 16 | Expected +$38 per submission: 55.5% of 458 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($211), and only a PSA 10 covers the $96 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $24 | $40 | $211 | $72 | +$115 | 55.5% | +$38 | 458 high |
| 17 | Expected +$37 per submission: 50.6% of 237 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($224), and only a PSA 10 covers the $88 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $16 | $21 | $224 | $72 | +$136 | 50.6% | +$37 | 237 high |
| 18 | Expected +$32 per submission: 43.9% of 21,067 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($410), and only a PSA 10 covers the $241 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $167 | $168 | $410 | $74 | +$169 | 43.9% | +$32 | 21,067 high |
| 19 | Expected +$31 per submission: 53.2% of 316 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($186), and only a PSA 10 covers the $84 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $12 | $35 | $186 | $72 | +$102 | 53.2% | +$31 | 316 high |
| 20 | Expected +$25 per submission: 49.8% of 428 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($170), and only a PSA 10 covers the $85 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $13 | $55 | $170 | $72 | +$85 | 49.8% | +$25 | 428 high |
| 21 | Expected +$24 per submission: 64.4% of 101 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($150), and only a PSA 10 covers the $79 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $8 | $19 | $150 | $71 | +$71 | 64.4% | +$24 | 101 high |
| 22 | Expected +$21 per submission: 49.5% of 920 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($175), and only a PSA 10 covers the $89 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $17 | $49 | $175 | $72 | +$86 | 49.5% | +$21 | 920 high |
| 23 | Expected +$20 per submission: 47.1% of 3,762 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($249), and only a PSA 10 covers the $121 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $49 | $47 | $249 | $72 | +$128 | 47.1% | +$20 | 3,762 high |
| 24 | Expected +$20 per submission: 50.3% of 376 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($203), and only a PSA 10 covers the $92 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $20 | $19 | $203 | $72 | +$111 | 50.3% | +$20 | 376 high |
| 25 | Expected +$19 per submission: 53.9% of 141 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($163), and only a PSA 10 covers the $78 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $6 | $19 | $163 | $72 | +$85 | 53.9% | +$19 | 141 high |
| 26 | Expected +$15 per submission: 54.8% of 299 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($154), and only a PSA 10 covers the $80 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $8 | $22 | $154 | $72 | +$74 | 54.8% | +$15 | 299 high |
| 27 | Expected +$15 per submission: 56% of 100 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($150), and only a PSA 10 covers the $76 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $5 | $15 | $150 | $71 | +$73 | 56% | +$15 | 100 high |
| 28 | Expected +$14 per submission: 59.4% of 187 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($150), and only a PSA 10 covers the $78 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $7 | $7 | $150 | $71 | +$72 | 59.4% | +$14 | 187 high |
| 29 | Expected +$14 per submission: 56.3% of 398 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($145), and only a PSA 10 covers the $78 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $7 | $26 | $145 | $71 | +$66 | 56.3% | +$14 | 398 high |
| 30 | Expected +$12 per submission: 54.4% of 79 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($140), and only a PSA 10 covers the $77 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence medium on that sample. | $6 | $30 | $140 | $71 | +$63 | 54.4% | +$12 | 79 medium |
| 31 | Expected +$11 per submission: 57.8% of 348 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($130), and only a PSA 10 covers the $80 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $9 | $40 | $130 | $71 | +$50 | 57.8% | +$11 | 348 high |
| 32 | Expected +$3 per submission: 56.2% of 452 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($118), and only a PSA 10 covers the $82 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $11 | $45 | $118 | $71 | +$36 | 56.2% | +$3 | 452 high |
| 33 | Expected +$2 per submission: 45.3% of 380 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($161), and only a PSA 10 covers the $91 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $19 | $40 | $161 | $72 | +$70 | 45.3% | +$2 | 380 high |
| 34 | Expected +$2 per submission: 56.4% of 188 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($127), and only a PSA 10 covers the $81 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $10 | $27 | $127 | $71 | +$45 | 56.4% | +$2 | 188 high |
| 35 | Expected +$1 per submission: 44.1% of 247 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($170), and only a PSA 10 covers the $86 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $14 | $20 | $170 | $72 | +$84 | 44.1% | +$1 | 247 high |
| 36 | Expected +$1 per submission: 52.8% of 176 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($137), and only a PSA 10 covers the $79 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $8 | $16 | $137 | $71 | +$57 | 52.8% | +$1 | 176 high |
| 37 | Expected +$-0 per submission: 53.5% of 342 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($134), and only a PSA 10 covers the $86 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $15 | $33 | $134 | $71 | +$48 | 53.5% | +$0 | 342 high |
| 38 | Expected loss −$1 per submission: 47% of 115 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($145), and only a PSA 10 covers the $82 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $11 | $28 | $145 | $71 | +$62 | 47% | −$1 | 115 high |
| 39 | Expected loss −$2 per submission: 32.5% of 329 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($203), and only a PSA 10 covers the $84 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $12 | $22 | $203 | $72 | +$119 | 32.5% | −$2 | 329 high |
| 40 | Expected loss −$7 per submission: 46.8% of 3,332 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($159), and only a PSA 10 covers the $103 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $31 | $42 | $159 | $72 | +$57 | 46.8% | −$7 | 3,332 high |
| 41 | Expected loss −$7 per submission: 59.8% of 87 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($98), and only a PSA 10 covers the $77 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence medium on that sample. | $6 | $30 | $98 | $71 | +$20 | 59.8% | −$7 | 87 medium |
| 42 | Expected loss −$7 per submission: 53.8% of 104 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($95), and only a PSA 10 covers the $78 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $7 | $50 | $95 | $71 | +$17 | 53.8% | −$7 | 104 high |
| 43 | Expected loss −$8 per submission: 49.4% of 356 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($123), and only a PSA 10 covers the $86 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $15 | $39 | $123 | $71 | +$36 | 49.4% | −$8 | 356 high |
| 44 | Expected loss −$9 per submission: 45.7% of 3,907 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($132), and only a PSA 10 covers the $90 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $19 | $42 | $132 | $71 | +$41 | 45.7% | −$9 | 3,907 high |
| 45 | Expected loss −$13 per submission: 36% of 1,648 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($148), and only a PSA 10 covers the $79 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $8 | $20 | $148 | $71 | +$68 | 36% | −$13 | 1,648 high |
| 46 | Expected loss −$13 per submission: 53.5% of 198 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($95), and only a PSA 10 covers the $78 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $7 | $30 | $95 | $71 | +$17 | 53.5% | −$13 | 198 high |
| 47 | Expected loss −$13 per submission: 61.3% of 1,940 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($105), and only a PSA 10 covers the $90 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $19 | $35 | $105 | $71 | +$15 | 61.3% | −$13 | 1,940 high |
| 48 | Expected loss −$17 per submission: 54.4% of 149 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($96), and only a PSA 10 covers the $79 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $8 | $20 | $96 | $71 | +$17 | 54.4% | −$17 | 149 high |
| 49 | Expected loss −$17 per submission: 56.6% of 196 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($95), and only a PSA 10 covers the $79 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $8 | $20 | $95 | $71 | +$16 | 56.6% | −$17 | 196 high |
| 50 | Expected loss −$17 per submission: 49.1% of 4,726 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($92), and only a PSA 10 covers the $77 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $6 | $30 | $92 | $71 | +$15 | 49.1% | −$17 | 4,726 high |
| 51 | Expected loss −$18 per submission: 47.2% of 248 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($104), and only a PSA 10 covers the $80 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $9 | $25 | $104 | $71 | +$24 | 47.2% | −$18 | 248 high |
| 52 | Expected loss −$22 per submission: 28.6% of 196 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($130), and only a PSA 10 covers the $79 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $8 | $35 | $130 | $71 | +$51 | 28.6% | −$22 | 196 high |
| 53 | Expected loss −$22 per submission: 52.3% of 266 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($100), and only a PSA 10 covers the $82 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $11 | $16 | $100 | $71 | +$18 | 52.3% | −$22 | 266 high |
| 54 | Expected loss −$23 per submission: 11% of 146 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($409), and only a PSA 10 covers the $81 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $7 | $11 | $409 | $74 | +$328 | 11% | −$23 | 146 high |
| 55 | Expected loss −$28 per submission: 37.5% of 1,867 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($100), and only a PSA 10 covers the $80 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $9 | $25 | $100 | $71 | +$20 | 37.5% | −$28 | 1,867 high |
| 56 | Expected loss −$30 per submission: 50% of 146 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($85), and only a PSA 10 covers the $83 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $12 | $20 | $85 | $71 | +$2 | 50% | −$30 | 146 high |
| 57 | Expected loss −$32 per submission: 25.6% of 1,135 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($150), and only a PSA 10 covers the $87 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $16 | $24 | $150 | $71 | +$63 | 25.6% | −$32 | 1,135 high |
| 58 | Expected loss −$37 per submission: 27.9% of 739 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($103), and only a PSA 10 covers the $84 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $13 | $29 | $103 | $71 | +$18 | 27.9% | −$37 | 739 high |
| 59 | Expected loss −$39 per submission: 28.4% of 799 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($103), and only a PSA 10 covers the $82 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $11 | $21 | $103 | $71 | +$21 | 28.4% | −$39 | 799 high |
| 60 | Expected loss −$40 per submission: 25.3% of 1,006 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($124), and only a PSA 10 covers the $85 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $14 | $18 | $124 | $71 | +$39 | 25.3% | −$40 | 1,006 high |
| 61 | Expected loss −$41 per submission: 27.9% of 570 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($88), and only a PSA 10 covers the $79 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $8 | $20 | $88 | $71 | +$9 | 27.9% | −$41 | 570 high |
| 62 | Expected loss −$44 per submission: 27.5% of 494 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($90), and only a PSA 10 covers the $78 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $7 | $13 | $90 | $71 | +$12 | 27.5% | −$44 | 494 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 Mew ex (Paldean Fates) at an expected +$386 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.