Best Base Cards to Grade

Best cards to grade, ranked by risk-adjusted grading profit

#	Card	Raw	PSA 10	Cost	Net (best)	Risk-adj.
1	CharizardBase #4 · 0.5% gem rate	$819	$23,400	$654	+$21,927	−$323
2	BlastoiseBase #2 · 0.8% gem rate	$226	$7,987	$500	+$7,261	−$361
3	MachampBase #8 · 0.2% gem rate	$76	$6,300	$483	+$5,741	−$415
4	MewtwoBase #10 · 2% gem rate	$77	$4,200	$237	+$3,886	−$98
5	VenusaurBase #15 · 1.3% gem rate	$173	$3,499	$230	+$3,096	−$138
6	ClefairyBase #5 · 1.3% gem rate	$45	$2,999	$225	+$2,729	−$159
7	RaichuBase #14 · 1.5% gem rate	$72	$3,000	$225	+$2,703	−$138
8	AlakazamBase #1 · 2.3% gem rate	$72	$2,675	$222	+$2,381	−$110
9	GyaradosBase #6 · 2.2% gem rate	$50	$2,200	$127	+$2,023	+$7
10	MagnetonBase #9 · 1.5% gem rate	$35	$2,084	$126	+$1,923	−$64
11	ZapdosBase #16 · 3.6% gem rate	$57	$1,633	$121	+$1,455	−$30
12	NinetalesBase #12 · 2.3% gem rate	$36	$1,539	$120	+$1,382	−$16
13	NidokingBase #11 · 2.4% gem rate	$38	$1,500	$120	+$1,342	−$53
14	PoliwrathBase #13 · 3.8% gem rate	$42	$1,100	$116	+$942	−$50
15	Double Colorless EnergyBase #96	$6	$940	$89	+$844	—
16	DragonairBase #18 · 12.8% gem rate	$18	$525	$85	+$421	+$21
17	PikachuBase #58 · 10.5% gem rate	$167	$618	$86	+$365	−$61
18	SquirtleBase #63 · 17.2% gem rate	$7	$425	$74	+$343	+$20
19	Devolution SprayBase #72 · 20.8% gem rate	$6	$420	$74	+$340	+$24
20	Pokémon TraderBase #77 · 21.7% gem rate	$6	$379	$74	+$300	+$27
21	ArcanineBase #23 · 16.7% gem rate	$5	$355	$74	+$276	+$19
22	Pokémon BreederBase #76 · 20.8% gem rate	$7	$340	$73	+$260	+$15
23	Clefairy DollBase #70 · 20.4% gem rate	$9	$336	$73	+$253	+$11
24	ElectabuzzBase #20 · 18.5% gem rate	$10	$326	$73	+$243	−$3
25	IvysaurBase #30 · 15.9% gem rate	$6	$299	$73	+$220	−$8
26	ElectrodeBase #21 · 17.4% gem rate	$9	$300	$73	+$218	−$10
27	PidgeottoBase #22 · 16.4% gem rate	$11	$250	$72	+$166	−$12
28	DugtrioBase #19 · 19.8% gem rate	$12	$225	$72	+$141	+$1
29	Impostor Professor OakBase #73 · 6.3% gem rate	$6	$217	$72	+$139	−$41
30	BeedrillBase #17 · 21.2% gem rate	$6	$157	$72	+$80	−$25
31	Scoop UpBase #78 · 21.3% gem rate	$8	$138	$71	+$58	−$7

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).