Best Base Set 2 Cards to Grade

The Base Set 2 cards where grading adds the most — ranked by net profit from raw to PSA 10 after real grading costs, with each card's estimated gem rate and risk-adjusted return. Top pick: Charizard at +$10,971 best-case net.

Best cards to grade, ranked by risk-adjusted grading profit
#	Card	Raw	PSA 10	Cost	Net (best)	Risk-adj.
1	CharizardBase Set 2 #4 · 0.3% gem rate	$489	$12,000	$540	+$10,971	−$438
2	AlakazamBase Set 2 #1 · 1.4% gem rate	$55	$3,560	$231	+$3,275	−$159
3	VenusaurBase Set 2 #18 · 1.1% gem rate	$105	$2,500	$220	+$2,175	−$164
4	BlastoiseBase Set 2 #2 · 0.5% gem rate	$151	$2,500	$220	+$2,129	−$177
5	ZapdosBase Set 2 #20 · 3% gem rate	$41	$1,799	$123	+$1,635	−$46
6	NinetalesBase Set 2 #13 · 2.5% gem rate	$35	$1,740	$122	+$1,583	−$61
7	PoliwrathBase Set 2 #15 · 2.4% gem rate	$18	$1,200	$117	+$1,065	−$73
8	GyaradosBase Set 2 #7 · 1.9% gem rate	$20	$1,165	$117	+$1,028	−$62
9	RaichuBase Set 2 #16 · 0.9% gem rate	$41	$1,133	$116	+$976	−$80
10	HitmonchanBase Set 2 #8 · 0.9% gem rate	$24	$986	$90	+$873	−$63
11	PidgeotBase Set 2 #14 · 0.8% gem rate	$20	$896	$89	+$787	−$60
12	NidoqueenBase Set 2 #12 · 0.9% gem rate	$31	$699	$87	+$581	−$60
13	SnorlaxBase Set 2 #30 · 16.1% gem rate	$22	$550	$85	+$443	+$19
14	ScytherBase Set 2 #17 · 1% gem rate	$33	$533	$85	+$414	−$64
15	ClefairyBase Set 2 #6 · 0.6% gem rate	$24	$472	$75	+$373	−$59
16	NidokingBase Set 2 #11 · 0.8% gem rate	$19	$411	$74	+$317	−$51
17	MewtwoBase Set 2 #10 · 1.8% gem rate	$32	$330	$73	+$225	−$29
18	MagnetonBase Set 2 #9 · 0.9% gem rate	$24	$166	$72	+$70	−$54
19	VictreebelBase Set 2 #32 · 26.5% gem rate	$5	$119	$71	+$43	−$33
20	ElectabuzzBase Set 2 #24 · 25.9% gem rate	$5	$116	$71	+$40	−$31
21	DragonairBase Set 2 #22 · 13.5% gem rate	$10	$119	$71	+$38	−$43
22	Mr. MimeBase Set 2 #27 · 21.5% gem rate	$6	$88	$71	+$10	−$39
23	ElectrodeBase Set 2 #25 · 25.3% gem rate	$5	$80	$71	+$4	−$44

Net (best) = PSA 10 value − raw value − grading cost (PSA fees as of 2026-06-28). Risk-adjusted weights every grade by its estimated likelihood from PSA population (cumulative and biased toward nicer copies — a guide, not a guarantee).

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