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: Special Delivery Bidoof at an expected +$393.
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 profit76 matching
| # | Card | Raw | PSA 9 | PSA 10 | Cost | Best case | Gem rate | Expected | Sample |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Expected +$393 per submission: 23.4% of 4,376 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($3,400), and only a PSA 10 covers the $1,120 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $717 | $686 | $3,400 | $403 | +$2,280 | 23.4% | +$393 | 4,376 high |
| 2 | Expected +$317 per submission: 31.2% of 276 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($1,300), and only a PSA 10 covers the $137 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $24 | $28 | $1,300 | $113 | +$1,163 | 31.2% | +$317 | 276 high |
| 3 | Expected +$268 per submission: 10.1% of 3,455 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($3,410), and a PSA 9 ($214) still clears the $532 you have in it. Confidence high on that sample. | $129 | $214 | $3,410 | $403 | +$2,878 | 10.1% | +$268 | 3,455 high |
| 4 | Expected +$211 per submission: 14.4% of 31,261 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($2,225), and only a PSA 10 covers the $455 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $264 | $325 | $2,225 | $191 | +$1,770 | 14.4% | +$211 | 31,261 high |
| 5 | Expected +$163 per submission: 16% of 57,222 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($1,544), and only a PSA 10 covers the $277 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $93 | $145 | $1,544 | $184 | +$1,266 | 16% | +$163 | 57,222 high |
| 6 | Expected +$145 per submission: 35.9% of 7,978 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($752), and only a PSA 10 covers the $220 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $112 | $120 | $752 | $108 | +$532 | 35.9% | +$145 | 7,978 high |
| 7 | Expected +$144 per submission: 9.9% of 14,105 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($4,000), and only a PSA 10 covers the $957 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $548 | $475 | $4,000 | $409 | +$3,043 | 9.9% | +$144 | 14,105 high |
| 8 | Expected +$108 per submission: 13.6% of 10,155 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($1,521), and only a PSA 10 covers the $282 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $98 | $118 | $1,521 | $184 | +$1,239 | 13.6% | +$108 | 10,155 high |
| 9 | Expected +$103 per submission: 13.5% of 9,776 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($1,280), and only a PSA 10 covers the $190 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $77 | $115 | $1,280 | $113 | +$1,090 | 13.5% | +$103 | 9,776 high |
| 10 | Expected +$79 per submission: 14.2% of 10,587 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($1,162), and only a PSA 10 covers the $207 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $95 | $114 | $1,162 | $112 | +$956 | 14.2% | +$79 | 10,587 high |
| 11 | Expected +$79 per submission: 13.7% of 915 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($944), and only a PSA 10 covers the $120 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $11 | $65 | $944 | $109 | +$824 | 13.7% | +$79 | 915 high |
| 12 | Expected +$77 per submission: 14.9% of 6,627 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($860), and only a PSA 10 covers the $131 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $22 | $70 | $860 | $109 | +$729 | 14.9% | +$77 | 6,627 high |
| 13 | Expected +$76 per submission: 36.8% of 10,629 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($375), and only a PSA 10 covers the $90 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $16 | $45 | $375 | $74 | +$285 | 36.8% | +$76 | 10,629 high |
| 14 | Expected +$75 per submission: 22.2% of 44,272 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($675), and only a PSA 10 covers the $155 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $48 | $75 | $675 | $107 | +$521 | 22.2% | +$75 | 44,272 high |
| 15 | Expected +$55 per submission: 39% of 195 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($299), and only a PSA 10 covers the $79 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $6 | $28 | $299 | $73 | +$220 | 39% | +$55 | 195 high |
| 16 | Expected +$48 per submission: 25.5% of 47 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($555), and only a PSA 10 covers the $141 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence medium on that sample. | $35 | $28 | $555 | $106 | +$415 | 25.5% | +$48 | 47 medium |
| 17 | Expected +$43 per submission: 18.3% of 41,729 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($670), and only a PSA 10 covers the $161 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $54 | $70 | $670 | $107 | +$509 | 18.3% | +$43 | 41,729 high |
| 18 | Expected +$39 per submission: 48.5% of 458 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($210), and only a PSA 10 covers the $81 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $9 | $45 | $210 | $72 | +$129 | 48.5% | +$39 | 458 high |
| 19 | Expected +$37 per submission: 55.8% of 8,916 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($249), and only a PSA 10 covers the $134 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $62 | $75 | $249 | $72 | +$115 | 55.8% | +$37 | 8,916 high |
| 20 | Expected +$35 per submission: 18.6% of 2,143 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 | $36 | $500 | $75 | +$415 | 18.6% | +$35 | 2,143 high |
| 21 | Expected +$33 per submission: 37% of 378 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($258), and only a PSA 10 covers the $86 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $13 | $40 | $258 | $73 | +$173 | 37% | +$33 | 378 high |
| 22 | Expected +$31 per submission: 6.8% of 1,719 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($1,200), and only a PSA 10 covers the $129 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $17 | $65 | $1,200 | $112 | +$1,071 | 6.8% | +$31 | 1,719 high |
| 23 | Expected +$31 per submission: 19.8% of 8,949 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($775), and only a PSA 10 covers the $249 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $141 | $135 | $775 | $108 | +$526 | 19.8% | +$31 | 8,949 high |
| 24 | Expected +$29 per submission: 18.9% of 625 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($504), and only a PSA 10 covers the $114 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $9 | $30 | $504 | $105 | +$389 | 18.9% | +$29 | 625 high |
| 25 | Expected +$29 per submission: 27.5% of 8,690 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($337), and only a PSA 10 covers the $90 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $17 | $41 | $337 | $73 | +$246 | 27.5% | +$29 | 8,690 high |
| 26 | Expected +$29 per submission: 66.4% of 265 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 | $30 | $150 | $71 | +$71 | 66.4% | +$29 | 265 high |
| 27 | Expected +$23 per submission: 26.2% of 4,154 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($320), and only a PSA 10 covers the $112 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $39 | $80 | $320 | $73 | +$208 | 26.2% | +$23 | 4,154 high |
| 28 | Expected +$21 per submission: 48.8% of 121 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($193), and only a PSA 10 covers the $89 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $17 | $33 | $193 | $72 | +$103 | 48.8% | +$21 | 121 high |
| 29 | Expected +$20 per submission: 62.3% of 2,657 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($150), and only a PSA 10 covers the $83 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $12 | $29 | $150 | $71 | +$66 | 62.3% | +$20 | 2,657 high |
| 30 | Expected +$18 per submission: 57.8% of 40,870 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($161), and only a PSA 10 covers the $87 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $15 | $30 | $161 | $72 | +$74 | 57.8% | +$18 | 40,870 high |
| 31 | Expected +$17 per submission: 35.7% of 861 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($245), and only a PSA 10 covers the $92 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $20 | $36 | $245 | $72 | +$153 | 35.7% | +$17 | 861 high |
| 32 | Expected +$15 per submission: 27.9% of 43 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($146), and a PSA 9 ($86) still clears the $82 you have in it. Confidence medium on that sample. | $11 | $86 | $146 | $71 | +$63 | 27.9% | +$15 | 43 medium |
| 33 | Expected +$15 per submission: 67.3% of 2,862 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($128), and only a PSA 10 covers the $81 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $10 | $35 | $128 | $71 | +$46 | 67.3% | +$15 | 2,862 high |
| 34 | Expected +$13 per submission: 64.5% of 3,508 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($140), and only a PSA 10 covers the $88 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $17 | $33 | $140 | $71 | +$52 | 64.5% | +$13 | 3,508 high |
| 35 | Expected +$10 per submission: 24.5% of 12,672 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($318), and only a PSA 10 covers the $90 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $17 | $30 | $318 | $73 | +$227 | 24.5% | +$10 | 12,672 high |
| 36 | Expected +$6 per submission: 32% of 818 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($210), and only a PSA 10 covers the $82 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $10 | $31 | $210 | $72 | +$128 | 32% | +$6 | 818 high |
| 37 | Expected +$5 per submission: 14.2% of 5,224 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($520), and only a PSA 10 covers the $134 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $29 | $50 | $520 | $105 | +$386 | 14.2% | +$5 | 5,224 high |
| 38 | Expected +$5 per submission: 16.3% of 1,006 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($400), and only a PSA 10 covers the $81 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $7 | $25 | $400 | $74 | +$319 | 16.3% | +$5 | 1,006 high |
| 39 | Expected +$2 per submission: 51.9% of 7,150 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($134), and only a PSA 10 covers the $82 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $11 | $34 | $134 | $71 | +$52 | 51.9% | +$2 | 7,150 high |
| 40 | Expected +$1 per submission: 25.6% of 309 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($225), and only a PSA 10 covers the $77 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $5 | $30 | $225 | $72 | +$148 | 25.6% | +$1 | 309 high |
| 41 | Expected +$1 per submission: 71.4% of 2,859 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($100), and only a PSA 10 covers the $77 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $6 | $26 | $100 | $71 | +$23 | 71.4% | +$1 | 2,859 high |
| 42 | Expected +$-0 per submission: 36.4% of 151 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($198), and only a PSA 10 covers the $80 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $8 | $15 | $198 | $72 | +$119 | 36.4% | +$0 | 151 high |
| 43 | Expected loss −$1 per submission: 8% of 225 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($900), and only a PSA 10 covers the $144 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $35 | $61 | $900 | $109 | +$756 | 8% | −$1 | 225 high |
| 44 | Expected loss −$2 per submission: 19.9% of 256 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($269), and only a PSA 10 covers the $81 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $8 | $35 | $269 | $73 | +$189 | 19.9% | −$2 | 256 high |
| 45 | Expected loss −$4 per submission: 65.4% of 81 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($93), and only a PSA 10 covers the $81 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence medium on that sample. | $10 | $51 | $93 | $71 | +$12 | 65.4% | −$4 | 81 medium |
| 46 | Expected loss −$4 per submission: 61.8% of 102 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($85), and only a PSA 10 covers the $79 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $8 | $60 | $85 | $71 | +$6 | 61.8% | −$4 | 102 high |
| 47 | Expected loss −$6 per submission: 25.9% of 591 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($218), and only a PSA 10 covers the $83 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $11 | $33 | $218 | $72 | +$135 | 25.9% | −$6 | 591 high |
| 48 | Expected loss −$9 per submission: 30.7% of 342 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($189), and only a PSA 10 covers the $84 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $12 | $25 | $189 | $72 | +$105 | 30.7% | −$9 | 342 high |
| 49 | Expected loss −$9 per submission: 40% of 6,222 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($175), and only a PSA 10 covers the $97 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $25 | $33 | $175 | $72 | +$78 | 40% | −$9 | 6,222 high |
| 50 | Expected loss −$9 per submission: 33.3% of 54 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($89), and only a PSA 10 covers the $82 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence medium on that sample. | $11 | $66 | $89 | $71 | +$7 | 33.3% | −$9 | 54 medium |
| 51 | Expected loss −$10 per submission: 41.2% of 1,535 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($143), and only a PSA 10 covers the $83 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $12 | $29 | $143 | $71 | +$59 | 41.2% | −$10 | 1,535 high |
| 52 | Expected loss −$10 per submission: 47.1% of 2,259 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($125), and only a PSA 10 covers the $81 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $10 | $25 | $125 | $71 | +$43 | 47.1% | −$10 | 2,259 high |
| 53 | Expected loss −$10 per submission: 65.7% of 137 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($84), and only a PSA 10 covers the $81 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $10 | $60 | $84 | $71 | +$3 | 65.7% | −$10 | 137 high |
| 54 | Expected loss −$12 per submission: 65.5% of 5,491 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($128), and only a PSA 10 covers the $108 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $37 | $32 | $128 | $71 | +$20 | 65.5% | −$12 | 5,491 high |
| 55 | Expected loss −$13 per submission: 59.1% of 132 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($105), and only a PSA 10 covers the $78 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $7 | $8 | $105 | $71 | +$27 | 59.1% | −$13 | 132 high |
| 56 | Expected loss −$13 per submission: 45.9% of 333 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($104), and only a PSA 10 covers the $78 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $7 | $34 | $104 | $71 | +$26 | 45.9% | −$13 | 333 high |
| 57 | Expected loss −$16 per submission: 61.2% of 428 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($105), and only a PSA 10 covers the $89 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $18 | $25 | $105 | $71 | +$16 | 61.2% | −$16 | 428 high |
| 58 | Expected loss −$16 per submission: 62.3% of 3,329 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($124), and only a PSA 10 covers the $109 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $38 | $45 | $124 | $71 | +$14 | 62.3% | −$16 | 3,329 high |
| 59 | Expected loss −$17 per submission: 28.5% of 323 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($155), and only a PSA 10 covers the $82 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $10 | $32 | $155 | $72 | +$73 | 28.5% | −$17 | 323 high |
| 60 | Expected loss −$17 per submission: 52.9% of 1,465 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($98), and only a PSA 10 covers the $78 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $7 | $23 | $98 | $71 | +$20 | 52.9% | −$17 | 1,465 high |
| 61 | Expected loss −$18 per submission: 24.5% of 53 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($137), and only a PSA 10 covers the $88 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence medium on that sample. | $17 | $55 | $137 | $71 | +$48 | 24.5% | −$18 | 53 medium |
| 62 | Expected loss −$19 per submission: 16.7% of 539 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($260), and only a PSA 10 covers the $84 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $11 | $28 | $260 | $73 | +$176 | 16.7% | −$19 | 539 high |
| 63 | Expected loss −$19 per submission: 69.9% of 83 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($77), and only a PSA 10 covers the $77 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence medium on that sample. | $6 | $13 | $77 | $71 | +$0 | 69.9% | −$19 | 83 medium |
| 64 | Expected loss −$20 per submission: 21.6% of 3,827 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($190), and only a PSA 10 covers the $78 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $6 | $24 | $190 | $72 | +$112 | 21.6% | −$20 | 3,827 high |
| 65 | Expected loss −$23 per submission: 39.6% of 1,943 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($110), and only a PSA 10 covers the $81 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $10 | $25 | $110 | $71 | +$29 | 39.6% | −$23 | 1,943 high |
| 66 | Expected loss −$23 per submission: 56.4% of 89,666 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($90), and only a PSA 10 covers the $86 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $15 | $29 | $90 | $71 | +$4 | 56.4% | −$23 | 89,666 high |
| 67 | Expected loss −$25 per submission: 20.5% of 414 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($161), and only a PSA 10 covers the $86 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $14 | $42 | $161 | $72 | +$75 | 20.5% | −$25 | 414 high |
| 68 | Expected loss −$27 per submission: 65.7% of 134 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 | $14 | $100 | $71 | +$2 | 65.7% | −$27 | 134 high |
| 69 | Expected loss −$29 per submission: 41.5% of 41 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($100), and only a PSA 10 covers the $78 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence medium on that sample. | $7 | $14 | $100 | $71 | +$22 | 41.5% | −$29 | 41 medium |
| 70 | Expected loss −$32 per submission: 40.5% of 163 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($90), and only a PSA 10 covers the $85 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $14 | $29 | $90 | $71 | +$5 | 40.5% | −$32 | 163 high |
| 71 | Expected loss −$33 per submission: 21.3% of 2,505 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($159), and only a PSA 10 covers the $84 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $12 | $22 | $159 | $72 | +$75 | 21.3% | −$33 | 2,505 high |
| 72 | Expected loss −$33 per submission: 28.9% of 3,435 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($163), and only a PSA 10 covers the $104 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $32 | $35 | $163 | $72 | +$59 | 28.9% | −$33 | 3,435 high |
| 73 | Expected loss −$34 per submission: 17.6% of 744 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($130), and only a PSA 10 covers the $77 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $6 | $30 | $130 | $71 | +$52 | 17.6% | −$34 | 744 high |
| 74 | Expected loss −$36 per submission: 20.8% of 2,624 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($158), and only a PSA 10 covers the $85 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $13 | $21 | $158 | $72 | +$73 | 20.8% | −$36 | 2,624 high |
| 75 | Expected loss −$38 per submission: 14% of 4,992 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($290), and only a PSA 10 covers the $108 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $35 | $36 | $290 | $73 | +$182 | 14% | −$38 | 4,992 high |
| 76 | Expected loss −$83 per submission: 3.8% of 625 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($143), and only a PSA 10 covers the $139 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $68 | $61 | $143 | $71 | +$4 | 3.8% | −$83 | 625 high |
Best case only — no gem-rate evidence 17
Fewer than 10 graded copies in the PSA and CGC population reports, so nothing can be said about how often these gem. They clear the cost if they do — that is all the numbers support.
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 Special Delivery Bidoof (SWSH Black Star Promos) at an expected +$393 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.