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: Reshiram ex at an expected +$398.
Cards worth grading4,806
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 profit76 matching
| # | Card | Raw | PSA 9 | PSA 10 | Cost | Best case | Gem rate | Expected | Sample |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Expected +$398 per submission: 59.2% of 9,611 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($1,315), and only a PSA 10 covers the $599 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $486 | $550 | $1,315 | $113 | +$716 | 59.2% | +$398 | 9,611 high |
| 2 | Expected +$211 per submission: 49.5% of 4,858 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($1,326), and only a PSA 10 covers the $721 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $608 | $550 | $1,326 | $113 | +$604 | 49.5% | +$211 | 4,858 high |
| 3 | Expected +$33 per submission: 54.1% of 8,534 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($450), and only a PSA 10 covers the $295 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $221 | $183 | $450 | $74 | +$155 | 54.1% | +$33 | 8,534 high |
| 4 | Expected +$32 per submission: 15.8% of 2,577 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($800), and only a PSA 10 covers the $200 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $92 | $100 | $800 | $108 | +$600 | 15.8% | +$32 | 2,577 high |
| 5 | Expected +$25 per submission: 14.4% of 465 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($650), and only a PSA 10 covers the $136 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $30 | $50 | $650 | $106 | +$514 | 14.4% | +$25 | 465 high |
| 6 | Expected +$19 per submission: 16.8% of 974 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($505), and only a PSA 10 covers the $158 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $53 | $90 | $505 | $105 | +$347 | 16.8% | +$19 | 974 high |
| 7 | Expected +$19 per submission: 20.5% of 1,295 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($425), and only a PSA 10 covers the $107 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $33 | $48 | $425 | $74 | +$318 | 20.5% | +$19 | 1,295 high |
| 8 | Expected +$16 per submission: 25.5% of 475 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($407), and only a PSA 10 covers the $124 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $50 | $51 | $407 | $74 | +$283 | 25.5% | +$16 | 475 high |
| 9 | Expected +$12 per submission: 22.2% of 1,550 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($430), and only a PSA 10 covers the $117 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $43 | $43 | $430 | $74 | +$313 | 22.2% | +$12 | 1,550 high |
| 10 | Expected +$4 per submission: 19.4% of 242 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($476), and only a PSA 10 covers the $115 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $40 | $29 | $476 | $75 | +$361 | 19.4% | +$4 | 242 high |
| 11 | Expected +$3 per submission: 18.3% of 230 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($425), and only a PSA 10 covers the $98 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $24 | $28 | $425 | $74 | +$327 | 18.3% | +$3 | 230 high |
| 12 | Expected +$3 per submission: 19.3% of 917 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($375), and only a PSA 10 covers the $100 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $26 | $38 | $375 | $74 | +$276 | 19.3% | +$3 | 917 high |
| 13 | Expected +$-0 per submission: 22.4% of 393 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($320), and only a PSA 10 covers the $90 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $17 | $22 | $320 | $73 | +$230 | 22.4% | +$0 | 393 high |
| 14 | Expected +$0 per submission: 28.9% of 998 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($330), and only a PSA 10 covers the $141 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $68 | $68 | $330 | $73 | +$188 | 28.9% | +$0 | 998 high |
| 15 | Expected loss −$2 per submission: 27.5% of 331 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($240), and only a PSA 10 covers the $82 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $10 | $19 | $240 | $72 | +$158 | 27.5% | −$2 | 331 high |
| 16 | Expected loss −$3 per submission: 17.9% of 302 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($410), and only a PSA 10 covers the $104 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $30 | $32 | $410 | $74 | +$306 | 17.9% | −$3 | 302 high |
| 17 | Expected loss −$3 per submission: 19.5% of 200 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($314), and only a PSA 10 covers the $80 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $7 | $16 | $314 | $73 | +$234 | 19.5% | −$3 | 200 high |
| 18 | Expected loss −$3 per submission: 22.8% of 267 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($330), and only a PSA 10 covers the $102 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $29 | $30 | $330 | $73 | +$227 | 22.8% | −$3 | 267 high |
| 19 | Expected loss −$4 per submission: 17.7% of 691 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($405), and only a PSA 10 covers the $104 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $30 | $35 | $405 | $74 | +$301 | 17.7% | −$4 | 691 high |
| 20 | Expected loss −$4 per submission: 22.9% of 681 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($300), and only a PSA 10 covers the $93 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $20 | $24 | $300 | $73 | +$207 | 22.9% | −$4 | 681 high |
| 21 | Expected loss −$4 per submission: 24.4% of 717 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($280), and only a PSA 10 covers the $91 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $18 | $24 | $280 | $73 | +$189 | 24.4% | −$4 | 717 high |
| 22 | Expected loss −$5 per submission: 17.7% of 317 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($274), and only a PSA 10 covers the $92 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $19 | $54 | $274 | $73 | +$183 | 17.7% | −$5 | 317 high |
| 23 | Expected loss −$7 per submission: 23.9% of 593 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($301), and only a PSA 10 covers the $107 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $34 | $36 | $301 | $73 | +$194 | 23.9% | −$7 | 593 high |
| 24 | Expected loss −$7 per submission: 53.4% of 5,586 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($204), and only a PSA 10 covers the $152 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $80 | $80 | $204 | $72 | +$52 | 53.4% | −$7 | 5,586 high |
| 25 | Expected loss −$10 per submission: 16.4% of 134 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($375), and only a PSA 10 covers the $94 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $20 | $25 | $375 | $74 | +$281 | 16.4% | −$10 | 134 high |
| 26 | Expected loss −$10 per submission: 17% of 353 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($350), and only a PSA 10 covers the $86 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $13 | $18 | $350 | $73 | +$264 | 17% | −$10 | 353 high |
| 27 | Expected loss −$10 per submission: 23.1% of 403 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($265), and only a PSA 10 covers the $88 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $15 | $22 | $265 | $73 | +$177 | 23.1% | −$10 | 403 high |
| 28 | Expected loss −$10 per submission: 24.5% of 462 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($209), and only a PSA 10 covers the $97 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $25 | $55 | $209 | $72 | +$112 | 24.5% | −$10 | 462 high |
| 29 | Expected loss −$12 per submission: 20.4% of 441 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($290), and only a PSA 10 covers the $87 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $14 | $18 | $290 | $73 | +$203 | 20.4% | −$12 | 441 high |
| 30 | Expected loss −$12 per submission: 25% of 456 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($206), and only a PSA 10 covers the $86 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $14 | $34 | $206 | $72 | +$120 | 25% | −$12 | 456 high |
| 31 | Expected loss −$13 per submission: 22.7% of 207 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($225), and only a PSA 10 covers the $82 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $10 | $25 | $225 | $72 | +$142 | 22.7% | −$13 | 207 high |
| 32 | Expected loss −$13 per submission: 52.2% of 4,419 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($199), and only a PSA 10 covers the $145 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $73 | $60 | $199 | $72 | +$54 | 52.2% | −$13 | 4,419 high |
| 33 | Expected loss −$14 per submission: 18.9% of 222 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($261), and only a PSA 10 covers the $81 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $8 | $20 | $261 | $73 | +$181 | 18.9% | −$14 | 222 high |
| 34 | Expected loss −$15 per submission: 19.6% of 337 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($280), and only a PSA 10 covers the $88 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $15 | $20 | $280 | $73 | +$192 | 19.6% | −$15 | 337 high |
| 35 | Expected loss −$15 per submission: 20.7% of 232 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($237), and only a PSA 10 covers the $78 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $6 | $18 | $237 | $72 | +$159 | 20.7% | −$15 | 232 high |
| 36 | Expected loss −$16 per submission: 18.6% of 732 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($270), and only a PSA 10 covers the $103 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $30 | $49 | $270 | $73 | +$167 | 18.6% | −$16 | 732 high |
| 37 | Expected loss −$17 per submission: 14.9% of 342 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($305), and only a PSA 10 covers the $83 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $10 | $23 | $305 | $73 | +$222 | 14.9% | −$17 | 342 high |
| 38 | Expected loss −$17 per submission: 21.7% of 382 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($250), and only a PSA 10 covers the $87 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $15 | $20 | $250 | $72 | +$163 | 21.7% | −$17 | 382 high |
| 39 | Expected loss −$17 per submission: 19.3% of 419 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($233), and only a PSA 10 covers the $85 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $13 | $30 | $233 | $72 | +$147 | 19.3% | −$17 | 419 high |
| 40 | Expected loss −$18 per submission: 20.8% of 371 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($296), and only a PSA 10 covers the $100 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $27 | $25 | $296 | $73 | +$196 | 20.8% | −$18 | 371 high |
| 41 | Expected loss −$19 per submission: 12.5% of 321 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($403), and only a PSA 10 covers the $92 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $18 | $26 | $403 | $74 | +$311 | 12.5% | −$19 | 321 high |
| 42 | Expected loss −$19 per submission: 19% of 342 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($299), and only a PSA 10 covers the $117 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $44 | $55 | $299 | $73 | +$182 | 19% | −$19 | 342 high |
| 43 | Expected loss −$19 per submission: 24% of 391 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($208), and only a PSA 10 covers the $87 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $15 | $25 | $208 | $72 | +$121 | 24% | −$19 | 391 high |
| 44 | Expected loss −$20 per submission: 17.8% of 242 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($280), and only a PSA 10 covers the $83 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $10 | $13 | $280 | $73 | +$197 | 17.8% | −$20 | 242 high |
| 45 | Expected loss −$21 per submission: 20.6% of 359 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($232), and only a PSA 10 covers the $84 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $12 | $21 | $232 | $72 | +$148 | 20.6% | −$21 | 359 high |
| 46 | Expected loss −$21 per submission: 28.9% of 353 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($190), and only a PSA 10 covers the $97 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $25 | $29 | $190 | $72 | +$93 | 28.9% | −$21 | 353 high |
| 47 | Expected loss −$22 per submission: 16.9% of 486 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($280), and only a PSA 10 covers the $85 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $12 | $19 | $280 | $73 | +$195 | 16.9% | −$22 | 486 high |
| 48 | Expected loss −$22 per submission: 23.9% of 318 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($202), and only a PSA 10 covers the $83 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $11 | $17 | $202 | $72 | +$119 | 23.9% | −$22 | 318 high |
| 49 | Expected loss −$23 per submission: 15.6% of 275 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($288), and only a PSA 10 covers the $83 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $10 | $15 | $288 | $73 | +$205 | 15.6% | −$23 | 275 high |
| 50 | Expected loss −$23 per submission: 16.6% of 549 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($260), and only a PSA 10 covers the $93 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $20 | $33 | $260 | $73 | +$167 | 16.6% | −$23 | 549 high |
| 51 | Expected loss −$23 per submission: 22.2% of 445 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($214), and only a PSA 10 covers the $90 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $18 | $25 | $214 | $72 | +$124 | 22.2% | −$23 | 445 high |
| 52 | Expected loss −$23 per submission: 23.4% of 402 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($193), and only a PSA 10 covers the $85 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $13 | $21 | $193 | $72 | +$108 | 23.4% | −$23 | 402 high |
| 53 | Expected loss −$23 per submission: 23.8% of 260 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($181), and only a PSA 10 covers the $82 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $10 | $20 | $181 | $72 | +$99 | 23.8% | −$23 | 260 high |
| 54 | Expected loss −$24 per submission: 11.4% of 536 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 | $40 | $325 | $73 | +$232 | 11.4% | −$24 | 536 high |
| 55 | Expected loss −$24 per submission: 11.5% of 182 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($307), and only a PSA 10 covers the $81 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $8 | $24 | $307 | $73 | +$226 | 11.5% | −$24 | 182 high |
| 56 | Expected loss −$25 per submission: 58.9% of 1,583 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($93), and only a PSA 10 covers the $90 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $19 | $24 | $93 | $71 | +$3 | 58.9% | −$25 | 1,583 high |
| 57 | Expected loss −$26 per submission: 15.3% of 281 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($327), and only a PSA 10 covers the $91 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $18 | $15 | $327 | $73 | +$236 | 15.3% | −$26 | 281 high |
| 58 | Expected loss −$26 per submission: 19.5% of 503 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($239), and only a PSA 10 covers the $91 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $19 | $23 | $239 | $72 | +$148 | 19.5% | −$26 | 503 high |
| 59 | Expected loss −$26 per submission: 22.1% of 213 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($210), and only a PSA 10 covers the $89 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $17 | $22 | $210 | $72 | +$121 | 22.1% | −$26 | 213 high |
| 60 | Expected loss −$27 per submission: 8.3% of 507 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($490), and only a PSA 10 covers the $95 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $20 | $32 | $490 | $75 | +$395 | 8.3% | −$27 | 507 high |
| 61 | Expected loss −$27 per submission: 18.5% of 1,200 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($403), and only a PSA 10 covers the $145 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $71 | $55 | $403 | $74 | +$258 | 18.5% | −$27 | 1,200 high |
| 62 | Expected loss −$27 per submission: 15.2% of 230 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($257), and only a PSA 10 covers the $92 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $19 | $30 | $257 | $73 | +$165 | 15.2% | −$27 | 230 high |
| 63 | Expected loss −$29 per submission: 21% of 181 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($160), and only a PSA 10 covers the $79 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $7 | $21 | $160 | $72 | +$82 | 21% | −$29 | 181 high |
| 64 | Expected loss −$30 per submission: 25.4% of 295 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($144), and only a PSA 10 covers the $81 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $10 | $21 | $144 | $71 | +$63 | 25.4% | −$30 | 295 high |
| 65 | Expected loss −$31 per submission: 7.8% of 308 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($530), and only a PSA 10 covers the $120 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $15 | $19 | $530 | $105 | +$410 | 7.8% | −$31 | 308 high |
| 66 | Expected loss −$31 per submission: 13.9% of 245 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($287), and only a PSA 10 covers the $93 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $20 | $26 | $287 | $73 | +$194 | 13.9% | −$31 | 245 high |
| 67 | Expected loss −$31 per submission: 21.4% of 420 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($199), and only a PSA 10 covers the $91 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $19 | $23 | $199 | $72 | +$108 | 21.4% | −$31 | 420 high |
| 68 | Expected loss −$32 per submission: 21% of 324 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($150), and only a PSA 10 covers the $80 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $9 | $22 | $150 | $71 | +$70 | 21% | −$32 | 324 high |
| 69 | Expected loss −$34 per submission: 24% of 271 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($230), and only a PSA 10 covers the $108 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $36 | $25 | $230 | $72 | +$122 | 24% | −$34 | 271 high |
| 70 | Expected loss −$35 per submission: 16.5% of 345 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($184), and only a PSA 10 covers the $84 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $12 | $25 | $184 | $72 | +$100 | 16.5% | −$35 | 345 high |
| 71 | Expected loss −$37 per submission: 10.1% of 227 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($290), and only a PSA 10 covers the $84 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $11 | $21 | $290 | $73 | +$206 | 10.1% | −$37 | 227 high |
| 72 | Expected loss −$39 per submission: 45% of 3,233 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($123), and only a PSA 10 covers the $120 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $49 | $50 | $123 | $71 | +$3 | 45% | −$39 | 3,233 high |
| 73 | Expected loss −$49 per submission: 19.7% of 117 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 | $5 | $175 | $72 | +$87 | 19.7% | −$49 | 117 high |
| 74 | Expected loss −$54 per submission: 7.2% of 208 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($175), and only a PSA 10 covers the $82 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $10 | $15 | $175 | $72 | +$93 | 7.2% | −$54 | 208 high |
| 75 | Expected loss −$54 per submission: 19.9% of 574 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($186), and only a PSA 10 covers the $117 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $45 | $34 | $186 | $72 | +$69 | 19.9% | −$54 | 574 high |
| 76 | Expected loss −$70 per submission: 1% of 200 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($300), and only a PSA 10 covers the $98 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $25 | $47 | $300 | $73 | +$202 | 1% | −$70 | 200 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 Reshiram ex (White Flare) at an expected +$398 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.