Best Ancient Origins Cards to Grade
The Ancient Origins cards worth grading, ranked by expected profit per submission — every grade outcome weighted by how often the card actually receives it — after current grading fees. The PSA 10 best case is shown on every row but does not decide the order. Top pick: Ampharos-EX at an expected +$2,921.
Ranked by expected profit 31
| # | Card | Raw | PSA 9 | PSA 10 | Cost | Best case | Gem rate | Expected | Sample |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Ampharos-EXAncient Origins #87 · Modern (2011–2019)Expected +$2,921 per submission: 17.3% of 526 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($18,000), and a PSA 9 ($232) still clears the $1,230 you have in it. Confidence high on that sample. | $31 | $232 | $18,000 | $1,199 | +$16,770 | 17.3% | +$2,921 | 526 high |
| 2 |  M Rayquaza-EXAncient Origins #98 · Modern (2011–2019)Expected +$1,308 per submission: 14.2% of 5,897 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($10,520), and a PSA 9 ($2,235) still clears the $2,024 you have in it. Confidence high on that sample. | $900 | $2,235 | $10,520 | $1,124 | +$8,496 | 14.2% | +$1,308 | 5,897 high |
| 3 |  Lugia-EXAncient Origins #94 · Modern (2011–2019)Expected +$1,041 per submission: 15.1% of 3,265 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($6,880), and a PSA 9 ($920) still clears the $929 you have in it. Confidence high on that sample. | $241 | $920 | $6,880 | $688 | +$5,951 | 15.1% | +$1,041 | 3,265 high |
| 4 |  Giratina-EXAncient Origins #93 · Modern (2011–2019)Expected +$970 per submission: 21.9% of 1,558 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($4,900), and a PSA 9 ($431) still clears the $571 you have in it. Confidence high on that sample. | $153 | $431 | $4,900 | $418 | +$4,329 | 21.9% | +$970 | 1,558 high |
| 5 |  Primal Groudon-EXAncient Origins #97 · Modern (2011–2019)Expected +$867 per submission: 22.1% of 3,573 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($4,400), and a PSA 9 ($927) still clears the $736 you have in it. Confidence high on that sample. | $323 | $927 | $4,400 | $413 | +$3,664 | 22.1% | +$867 | 3,573 high |
| 6 |  VaporeonAncient Origins #22 · Modern (2011–2019)Expected +$695 per submission: 4.2% of 48 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($18,600), and a PSA 9 ($138) still clears the $1,221 you have in it. Confidence medium on that sample. | $16 | $138 | $18,600 | $1,205 | +$17,379 | 4.2% | +$695 | 48 medium |
| 7 |  Primal Kyogre-EXAncient Origins #96 · Modern (2011–2019)Expected +$643 per submission: 15.7% of 3,297 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($5,490), and a PSA 9 ($723) still clears the $1,094 you have in it. Confidence high on that sample. | $420 | $723 | $5,490 | $674 | +$4,396 | 15.7% | +$643 | 3,297 high |
| 8 |  Tyranitar-EXAncient Origins #91 · Modern (2011–2019)Expected +$511 per submission: 18.9% of 1,266 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($3,099), and a PSA 9 ($312) still clears the $480 you have in it. Confidence high on that sample. | $80 | $312 | $3,099 | $400 | +$2,619 | 18.9% | +$511 | 1,266 high |
| 9 |  Sceptile-EXAncient Origins #84 · Modern (2011–2019)Expected +$483 per submission: 20.8% of 664 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($2,700), and a PSA 9 ($230) still clears the $449 you have in it. Confidence high on that sample. | $53 | $230 | $2,700 | $396 | +$2,251 | 20.8% | +$483 | 664 high |
| 10 |  Machamp-EXAncient Origins #90 · Modern (2011–2019)Expected +$454 per submission: 21.3% of 666 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($2,500), and a PSA 9 ($120) still clears the $269 you have in it. Confidence high on that sample. | $25 | $120 | $2,500 | $244 | +$2,231 | 21.3% | +$454 | 666 high |
| 11 |  Kyurem-EXAncient Origins #86 · Modern (2011–2019)Expected +$421 per submission: 21.8% of 829 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($2,200), and a PSA 9 ($185) still clears the $275 you have in it. Confidence high on that sample. | $34 | $185 | $2,200 | $241 | +$1,925 | 21.8% | +$421 | 829 high |
| 12 |  M Ampharos-EXAncient Origins #88 · Modern (2011–2019)Expected +$370 per submission: 21.9% of 1,062 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($2,110), and a PSA 9 ($175) still clears the $303 you have in it. Confidence high on that sample. | $63 | $175 | $2,110 | $240 | +$1,807 | 21.9% | +$370 | 1,062 high |
| 13 |  EnteiAncient Origins #15 · Modern (2011–2019)Expected +$328 per submission: 10% of 558 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($3,500), and a PSA 9 ($205) still clears the $414 you have in it. Confidence high on that sample. | $10 | $205 | $3,500 | $404 | +$3,086 | 10% | +$328 | 558 high |
| 14 |  M Tyranitar-EXAncient Origins #92 · Modern (2011–2019)Expected +$315 per submission: 25.5% of 1,842 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($1,500), and a PSA 9 ($250) still clears the $200 you have in it. Confidence high on that sample. | $85 | $250 | $1,500 | $115 | +$1,300 | 25.5% | +$315 | 1,842 high |
| 15 |  Hoopa-EXAncient Origins #89 · Modern (2011–2019)Expected +$303 per submission: 28.2% of 653 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($1,299), and a PSA 9 ($135) still clears the $156 you have in it. Confidence high on that sample. | $43 | $135 | $1,299 | $113 | +$1,143 | 28.2% | +$303 | 653 high |
| 16 |  M Sceptile-EXAncient Origins #85 · Modern (2011–2019)Expected +$282 per submission: 21.2% of 1,548 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($1,795), and a PSA 9 ($230) still clears the $349 you have in it. Confidence high on that sample. | $112 | $230 | $1,795 | $237 | +$1,446 | 21.2% | +$282 | 1,548 high |
| 17 |  GyaradosAncient Origins #21 · Modern (2011–2019)Expected +$218 per submission: 5.6% of 2,681 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($3,400), and a PSA 9 ($357) still clears the $465 you have in it. Confidence high on that sample. | $62 | $357 | $3,400 | $403 | +$2,935 | 5.6% | +$218 | 2,681 high |
| 18 |  Lugia-EXAncient Origins #68 · Modern (2011–2019)Expected +$215 per submission: 24.4% of 1,491 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($1,149), and only a PSA 10 covers the $123 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $12 | $80 | $1,149 | $111 | +$1,025 | 24.4% | +$215 | 1,491 high |
| 19 |  Giratina-EXAncient Origins #57 · Modern (2011–2019)Expected +$171 per submission: 29% of 865 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($805), and only a PSA 10 covers the $104 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $16 | $69 | $805 | $88 | +$701 | 29% | +$171 | 865 high |
| 20 |  Tyranitar-EXAncient Origins #42 · Modern (2011–2019)Expected +$162 per submission: 22.4% of 657 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($1,000), and only a PSA 10 covers the $98 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $8 | $70 | $1,000 | $90 | +$903 | 22.4% | +$162 | 657 high |
| 21 |  Sceptile-EXAncient Origins #7 · Modern (2011–2019)Expected +$94 per submission: 40.9% of 259 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($396), and only a PSA 10 covers the $92 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $8 | $46 | $396 | $84 | +$304 | 40.9% | +$94 | 259 high |
| 22 |  Hoopa-EXAncient Origins #36 · Modern (2011–2019)Expected +$62 per submission: 51.3% of 279 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($270), and only a PSA 10 covers the $91 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $8 | $32 | $270 | $83 | +$179 | 51.3% | +$62 | 279 high |
| 23 |  StevenAncient Origins #95 · Modern (2011–2019)Expected +$25 per submission: 27.5% of 563 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($360), and only a PSA 10 covers the $119 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $35 | $71 | $360 | $84 | +$241 | 27.5% | +$25 | 563 high |
| 24 |  M Sceptile-EXAncient Origins #8 · Modern (2011–2019)Expected +$17 per submission: 24.7% of 935 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($350), and only a PSA 10 covers the $102 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $19 | $55 | $350 | $83 | +$248 | 24.7% | +$17 | 935 high |
| 25 |  Ampharos-EXAncient Origins #27 · Modern (2011–2019)Expected +$17 per submission: 38.5% of 200 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($234), and only a PSA 10 covers the $90 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $8 | $40 | $234 | $82 | +$144 | 38.5% | +$17 | 200 high |
| 26 |  M Tyranitar-EXAncient Origins #43 · Modern (2011–2019)Expected +$12 per submission: 23.9% of 1,805 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($354), and only a PSA 10 covers the $104 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $20 | $50 | $354 | $84 | +$250 | 23.9% | +$12 | 1,805 high |
| 27 |  Machamp-EXAncient Origins #37 · Modern (2011–2019)Expected +$10 per submission: 33.5% of 236 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($259), and only a PSA 10 covers the $88 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $5 | $16 | $259 | $83 | +$171 | 33.5% | +$10 | 236 high |
| 28 |  Hex ManiacAncient Origins #75a · Modern (2011–2019)Expected +$5 per submission: 2.9% of 204 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($2,750), and a PSA 9 ($261) still clears the $547 you have in it. Confidence high on that sample. | $150 | $261 | $2,750 | $397 | +$2,204 | 2.9% | +$5 | 204 high |
| 29 |  Trainers' MailAncient Origins #100 · Modern (2011–2019)Expected loss −$14 per submission: 19.5% of 277 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($200), and only a PSA 10 covers the $89 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $7 | $80 | $200 | $82 | +$111 | 19.5% | −$14 | 277 high |
| 30 |  M Ampharos-EXAncient Origins #28 · Modern (2011–2019)Expected loss −$16 per submission: 41% of 763 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($170), and only a PSA 10 covers the $103 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $21 | $30 | $170 | $82 | +$68 | 41% | −$16 | 763 high |
| 31 |  Energy RetrievalAncient Origins #99 · Modern (2011–2019)Expected loss −$47 per submission: 18.1% of 277 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($153), and only a PSA 10 covers the $94 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $12 | $43 | $153 | $82 | +$59 | 18.1% | −$47 | 277 high |
Expected = every grade outcome weighted by its share of the card's graded population, minus the raw price and the grading cost (PSA tier fee for the graded value plus ~$20 round-trip shipping, fees as of 2026-09-26). Best case is the PSA 10 leg alone. Gem rates come from a self-selected population — collectors grade their cleanest copies — so read them as an upper bound. Raw is a blended market price, not a sale of your copy. Full method and filters on the grading index.
How to read the Ancient Origins ranking
Every Ancient Origins card listed here clears one bar: its PSA 10 price beats its raw price by more than the cost of grading it. 31 cards from the set pass. 31 of them (100%) have a gem-rate sample of at least ten graded copies in the population reports, and 28 of those keep a positive expected value once every grade outcome is weighted by how often the card actually receives it.
The order is expected profit, not the PSA 10 best case, which rewards the widest raw-to-gem gap whether the card gems one time in two or one in fifty. Here the top row, the Ampharos-EX from Ancient Origins, gems 17.3% of the time across 526 graded copies: +$2,921 is what a long run of submissions would average, $16,770 is what one lucky copy returns.
The median gem rate across the sampled Ancient Origins cards is 21.9%. Roughly one submitted copy in 5 came back PSA 10, and most rows here still cover raw price plus fee at PSA 9, so the PSA 9 price does most of the work. Of the 31 ranked cards, 18 still cover raw price plus fee at PSA 9, 13 need a 10 to break even and 3 lose money on expectation. 30 rest on a hundred or more graded copies.
Before you submit a Ancient Origins card
Grading pays on condition. The four things every grader scores — centering, corners, edges and surface — can be checked at home before paying a fee, and a copy that is visibly off-centre or has a whitened corner will not gem whatever the population says. Those gem rates come from a self-selected population of clean copies, so a random copy does worse.
The cost column assumes a PSA submission at the tier covering the card's PSA 10 value, fees as of 2026-09-26, and raw is CardTrack's blended near-mint price, not a sale of your copy: pay more, or hold a lighter copy, and the break-even moves against you. Test a card with your own numbers in the ROI calculator, see the printings that fail the bar on the Ancient Origins card list, or see how gem-mint premiums run across the whole catalogue on the PSA premium index.