Best Black Bolt Cards to Grade
The Black Bolt 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: Zekrom ex at an expected +$286.
Worth grading70
With a gem-rate sample70100%
Positive expected value12
Median gem rate19.3%
PSA fees as of2026-09-26
Ranked by expected profit 50
| # | Card | Raw | PSA 9 | PSA 10 | Cost | Best case | Gem rate | Expected | Sample |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Expected +$286 per submission: 51% of 10,433 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($1,425), and only a PSA 10 covers the $714 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $600 | $539 | $1,425 | $114 | +$711 | 51% | +$286 | 10,433 high |
| 2 | Expected +$277 per submission: 48.9% of 5,267 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($1,400), and only a PSA 10 covers the $714 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $600 | $580 | $1,400 | $114 | +$686 | 48.9% | +$277 | 5,267 high |
| 3 | Expected +$145 per submission: 16.4% of 6,061 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($1,800), and only a PSA 10 covers the $462 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $225 | $228 | $1,800 | $237 | +$1,338 | 16.4% | +$145 | 6,061 high |
| 4 | Expected +$65 per submission: 17.3% of 1,448 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($800), and only a PSA 10 covers the $139 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $51 | $80 | $800 | $88 | +$661 | 17.3% | +$65 | 1,448 high |
| 5 | Expected +$52 per submission: 61.5% of 10,706 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($485), and only a PSA 10 covers the $340 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $255 | $246 | $485 | $85 | +$145 | 61.5% | +$52 | 10,706 high |
| 6 | Expected +$32 per submission: 14.1% of 524 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($677), and only a PSA 10 covers the $118 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $31 | $70 | $677 | $87 | +$559 | 14.1% | +$32 | 524 high |
| 7 | Expected +$23 per submission: 38% of 1,640 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($320), and only a PSA 10 covers the $148 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $65 | $85 | $320 | $83 | +$172 | 38% | +$23 | 1,640 high |
| 8 | Expected +$21 per submission: 18.1% of 629 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($550), and only a PSA 10 covers the $118 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $33 | $51 | $550 | $85 | +$432 | 18.1% | +$21 | 629 high |
| 9 | Expected +$9 per submission: 15.6% of 449 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($550), and only a PSA 10 covers the $107 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $22 | $33 | $550 | $85 | +$442 | 15.6% | +$9 | 449 high |
| 10 | Expected +$8 per submission: 17.1% of 175 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($600), and only a PSA 10 covers the $116 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $30 | $21 | $600 | $86 | +$484 | 17.1% | +$8 | 175 high |
| 11 | Expected +$3 per submission: 16.2% of 197 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($500), and only a PSA 10 covers the $94 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $9 | $15 | $500 | $85 | +$406 | 16.2% | +$3 | 197 high |
| 12 | Expected +$2 per submission: 17.3% of 254 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($440), and only a PSA 10 covers the $120 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $36 | $60 | $440 | $84 | +$320 | 17.3% | +$2 | 254 high |
| 13 | Expected loss −$2 per submission: 15.1% of 948 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($535), and only a PSA 10 covers the $135 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $50 | $70 | $535 | $85 | +$400 | 15.1% | −$2 | 948 high |
| 14 | Expected loss −$2 per submission: 26.4% of 242 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($251), and only a PSA 10 covers the $110 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $27 | $60 | $251 | $83 | +$141 | 26.4% | −$2 | 242 high |
| 15 | Expected loss −$3 per submission: 25% of 544 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($276), and only a PSA 10 covers the $113 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $30 | $60 | $276 | $83 | +$164 | 25% | −$3 | 544 high |
| 16 | Expected loss −$5 per submission: 20.3% of 728 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. | $19 | $40 | $330 | $83 | +$228 | 20.3% | −$5 | 728 high |
| 17 | Expected loss −$5 per submission: 25.7% of 245 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($260), and only a PSA 10 covers the $90 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $7 | $25 | $260 | $83 | +$170 | 25.7% | −$5 | 245 high |
| 18 | Expected loss −$8 per submission: 22.4% of 330 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($295), and only a PSA 10 covers the $96 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $13 | $27 | $295 | $83 | +$199 | 22.4% | −$8 | 330 high |
| 19 | Expected loss −$9 per submission: 20% of 461 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($350), and only a PSA 10 covers the $97 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $14 | $24 | $350 | $83 | +$252 | 20% | −$9 | 461 high |
| 20 | Expected loss −$9 per submission: 19.2% of 494 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($345), and only a PSA 10 covers the $97 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $14 | $30 | $345 | $83 | +$247 | 19.2% | −$9 | 494 high |
| 21 | Expected loss −$9 per submission: 31.7% of 357 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($225), and only a PSA 10 covers the $91 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $9 | $15 | $225 | $82 | +$134 | 31.7% | −$9 | 357 high |
| 22 | Expected loss −$10 per submission: 20.1% of 477 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($315), and only a PSA 10 covers the $97 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $14 | $30 | $315 | $83 | +$218 | 20.1% | −$10 | 477 high |
| 23 | Expected loss −$13 per submission: 13% of 345 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($500), and only a PSA 10 covers the $110 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $25 | $34 | $500 | $85 | +$390 | 13% | −$13 | 345 high |
| 24 | Expected loss −$13 per submission: 19.9% of 418 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($350), and only a PSA 10 covers the $101 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $18 | $22 | $350 | $83 | +$249 | 19.9% | −$13 | 418 high |
| 25 | Expected loss −$16 per submission: 16.7% of 551 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($349), and only a PSA 10 covers the $95 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $12 | $24 | $349 | $83 | +$254 | 16.7% | −$16 | 551 high |
| 26 | Expected loss −$16 per submission: 18.1% of 2,197 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($345), and only a PSA 10 covers the $113 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $30 | $41 | $345 | $83 | +$232 | 18.1% | −$16 | 2,197 high |
| 27 | Expected loss −$16 per submission: 26.6% of 263 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($225), and only a PSA 10 covers the $90 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $8 | $18 | $225 | $82 | +$135 | 26.6% | −$16 | 263 high |
| 28 | Expected loss −$17 per submission: 21.6% of 559 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($335), and only a PSA 10 covers the $108 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $25 | $22 | $335 | $83 | +$227 | 21.6% | −$17 | 559 high |
| 29 | Expected loss −$17 per submission: 26.2% of 214 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($265), and only a PSA 10 covers the $105 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $22 | $25 | $265 | $83 | +$160 | 26.2% | −$17 | 214 high |
| 30 | Expected loss −$18 per submission: 20.4% of 216 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($255), and only a PSA 10 covers the $92 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $9 | $29 | $255 | $83 | +$164 | 20.4% | −$18 | 216 high |
| 31 | Expected loss −$19 per submission: 20% of 265 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($350), and only a PSA 10 covers the $107 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $24 | $20 | $350 | $83 | +$242 | 20% | −$19 | 265 high |
| 32 | Expected loss −$19 per submission: 18.1% of 270 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($330), and only a PSA 10 covers the $95 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $12 | $20 | $330 | $83 | +$235 | 18.1% | −$19 | 270 high |
| 33 | Expected loss −$19 per submission: 19% of 574 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. | $19 | $24 | $330 | $83 | +$228 | 19% | −$19 | 574 high |
| 34 | Expected loss −$19 per submission: 17.7% of 310 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($305), and only a PSA 10 covers the $96 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $13 | $26 | $305 | $83 | +$209 | 17.7% | −$19 | 310 high |
| 35 | Expected loss −$21 per submission: 16.4% of 366 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($326), and only a PSA 10 covers the $95 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $12 | $24 | $326 | $83 | +$231 | 16.4% | −$21 | 366 high |
| 36 | Expected loss −$21 per submission: 22.2% of 825 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($239), and only a PSA 10 covers the $101 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $19 | $40 | $239 | $82 | +$138 | 22.2% | −$21 | 825 high |
| 37 | Expected loss −$22 per submission: 12.6% of 174 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($400), and only a PSA 10 covers the $93 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $9 | $23 | $400 | $84 | +$307 | 12.6% | −$22 | 174 high |
| 38 | Expected loss −$22 per submission: 64.9% of 6,365 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($162), and only a PSA 10 covers the $152 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $70 | $70 | $162 | $82 | +$10 | 64.9% | −$22 | 6,365 high |
| 39 | Expected loss −$24 per submission: 15.7% of 281 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($353), and only a PSA 10 covers the $104 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $20 | $30 | $353 | $84 | +$250 | 15.7% | −$24 | 281 high |
| 40 | Expected loss −$24 per submission: 25.4% of 389 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($250), and only a PSA 10 covers the $107 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $25 | $27 | $250 | $82 | +$143 | 25.4% | −$24 | 389 high |
| 41 | Expected loss −$25 per submission: 12.2% of 369 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($595), and only a PSA 10 covers the $136 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $50 | $46 | $595 | $86 | +$459 | 12.2% | −$25 | 369 high |
| 42 | Expected loss −$25 per submission: 18% of 305 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($280), and only a PSA 10 covers the $97 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $14 | $25 | $280 | $83 | +$184 | 18% | −$25 | 305 high |
| 43 | Expected loss −$25 per submission: 21% of 372 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($225), and only a PSA 10 covers the $92 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $10 | $25 | $225 | $82 | +$133 | 21% | −$25 | 372 high |
| 44 | Expected loss −$26 per submission: 18.4% of 668 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($315), and only a PSA 10 covers the $101 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $18 | $20 | $315 | $83 | +$214 | 18.4% | −$26 | 668 high |
| 45 | Expected loss −$26 per submission: 22.7% of 538 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($250), and only a PSA 10 covers the $100 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $18 | $21 | $250 | $82 | +$150 | 22.7% | −$26 | 538 high |
| 46 | Expected loss −$26 per submission: 21.6% of 259 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($229), and only a PSA 10 covers the $89 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $7 | $16 | $229 | $82 | +$140 | 21.6% | −$26 | 259 high |
| 47 | Expected loss −$26 per submission: 25.2% of 405 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($215), and only a PSA 10 covers the $95 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $13 | $20 | $215 | $82 | +$120 | 25.2% | −$26 | 405 high |
| 48 | Expected loss −$26 per submission: 30.3% of 228 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($204), and only a PSA 10 covers the $99 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $17 | $15 | $204 | $82 | +$105 | 30.3% | −$26 | 228 high |
| 49 | Expected loss −$27 per submission: 23.8% of 353 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($240), and only a PSA 10 covers the $102 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $20 | $23 | $240 | $82 | +$138 | 23.8% | −$27 | 353 high |
| 50 | Expected loss −$29 per submission: 19.7% of 350 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($261), and only a PSA 10 covers the $98 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $15 | $20 | $261 | $83 | +$163 | 19.7% | −$29 | 350 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 Black Bolt ranking
Every Black Bolt card listed here clears one bar: its PSA 10 price beats its raw price by more than the cost of grading it. 70 cards from the set pass. 70 of them (100%) have a gem-rate sample of at least ten graded copies in the population reports, and 12 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 Zekrom ex from Black Bolt, gems 51% of the time across 10,433 graded copies: +$286 is what a long run of submissions would average, $711 is what one lucky copy returns.
The median gem rate across the sampled Black Bolt cards is 19.3%. Roughly one submitted copy in 5 came back PSA 10, and no row here covers raw price plus fee at PSA 9, so the gem rate decides whether a submission pays. Of the 50 ranked cards, 50 need a 10 to break even and 38 lose money on expectation. 50 rest on a hundred or more graded copies.
Before you submit a Black Bolt 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 Black Bolt card list, or see how gem-mint premiums run across the whole catalogue on the PSA premium index.
Black Bolt grading questions
Which Black Bolt card is the best to grade?
On current numbers the Zekrom ex (Black Bolt #172): 51% of 10,433 graded copies came back PSA 10, an expected profit of $286 per submission after the $114 grading cost, against a best case of $711 if it gems.
How many Black Bolt cards are worth grading?
12 keep a positive expected value after the fee, out of the 70 with a gem-rate sample of at least ten graded copies. 70 cards on this page have a PSA 10 price that beats the raw price by more than the grading fee.
What gem rate do Black Bolt cards get at PSA?
The median across the 70 sampled Black Bolt cards is 19.3%, so about one in 5 of the copies collectors chose to submit came back PSA 10. The strongest rate with a sample of thirty or more is the Kyurem ex (Black Bolt #165) at 64.9% of 6,365.
Does the Black Bolt ranking apply to CGC or Beckett?
Not directly. The cost column is PSA's fee as of 2026-09-26 and the graded columns are PSA slab prices; the gem-rate sample falls back to CGC's population only when PSA has fewer than ten copies. A CGC or Beckett submission has its own fee and resale price.