Best Emerald Cards to Grade
The Emerald 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: Milotic ex at an expected +$2,131.
Worth grading37
With a gem-rate sample37100%
Positive expected value30
Median gem rate7.4%
PSA fees as of2026-09-26
Ranked by expected profit 37
| # | Card | Raw | PSA 9 | PSA 10 | Cost | Best case | Gem rate | Expected | Sample |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Expected +$2,131 per submission: 3.5% of 887 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($49,999), and a PSA 9 ($3,888) still clears the $3,469 you have in it. Confidence high on that sample. | $950 | $3,888 | $49,999 | $2,519 | +$46,530 | 3.5% | +$2,131 | 887 high |
| 2 | Expected +$2,111 per submission: 5.8% of 1,050 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($30,000), and a PSA 9 ($2,750) still clears the $2,759 you have in it. Confidence high on that sample. | $440 | $2,750 | $30,000 | $2,319 | +$27,241 | 5.8% | +$2,111 | 1,050 high |
| 3 | Expected +$1,951 per submission: 4.2% of 664 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($24,700), and a PSA 9 ($4,000) still clears the $1,645 you have in it. Confidence high on that sample. | $379 | $4,000 | $24,700 | $1,266 | +$23,055 | 4.2% | +$1,951 | 664 high |
| 4 | Expected +$1,497 per submission: 8.2% of 498 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($16,000), and a PSA 9 ($950) still clears the $1,279 you have in it. Confidence high on that sample. | $100 | $950 | $16,000 | $1,179 | +$14,721 | 8.2% | +$1,497 | 498 high |
| 5 | Expected +$1,304 per submission: 7.1% of 439 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($15,850), and a PSA 9 ($1,000) still clears the $1,263 you have in it. Confidence high on that sample. | $85 | $1,000 | $15,850 | $1,178 | +$14,588 | 7.1% | +$1,304 | 439 high |
| 6 | Expected +$1,095 per submission: 5.3% of 511 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($14,640), and a PSA 9 ($1,399) still clears the $1,344 you have in it. Confidence high on that sample. | $179 | $1,399 | $14,640 | $1,165 | +$13,296 | 5.3% | +$1,095 | 511 high |
| 7 | Expected +$944 per submission: 7.2% of 470 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($12,500), and a PSA 9 ($746) still clears the $1,219 you have in it. Confidence high on that sample. | $75 | $746 | $12,500 | $1,144 | +$11,281 | 7.2% | +$944 | 470 high |
| 8 | Expected +$846 per submission: 6.8% of 380 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($13,000), and a PSA 9 ($370) still clears the $1,234 you have in it. Confidence high on that sample. | $85 | $370 | $13,000 | $1,149 | +$11,766 | 6.8% | +$846 | 380 high |
| 9 | Expected +$776 per submission: 7.3% of 423 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($10,000), and a PSA 9 ($350) still clears the $794 you have in it. Confidence high on that sample. | $75 | $350 | $10,000 | $719 | +$9,206 | 7.3% | +$776 | 423 high |
| 10 | Expected +$732 per submission: 5.1% of 450 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($13,000), and a PSA 9 ($500) still clears the $1,181 you have in it. Confidence high on that sample. | $32 | $500 | $13,000 | $1,149 | +$11,819 | 5.1% | +$732 | 450 high |
| 11 | Expected +$716 per submission: 7.2% of 430 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($5,520), and a PSA 9 ($1,475) still clears the $845 you have in it. Confidence high on that sample. | $171 | $1,475 | $5,520 | $674 | +$4,674 | 7.2% | +$716 | 430 high |
| 12 | Expected +$642 per submission: 8.5% of 468 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($5,823), and a PSA 9 ($1,193) still clears the $1,007 you have in it. Confidence high on that sample. | $330 | $1,193 | $5,823 | $677 | +$4,816 | 8.5% | +$642 | 468 high |
| 13 | Expected +$610 per submission: 14.1% of 389 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($3,999), and a PSA 9 ($344) still clears the $437 you have in it. Confidence high on that sample. | $28 | $344 | $3,999 | $409 | +$3,562 | 14.1% | +$610 | 389 high |
| 14 | Expected +$461 per submission: 9.2% of 359 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($3,720), and a PSA 9 ($618) still clears the $514 you have in it. Confidence high on that sample. | $108 | $618 | $3,720 | $406 | +$3,206 | 9.2% | +$461 | 359 high |
| 15 | Expected +$430 per submission: 5.9% of 494 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($5,880), and a PSA 9 ($1,001) still clears the $936 you have in it. Confidence high on that sample. | $258 | $1,001 | $5,880 | $678 | +$4,944 | 5.9% | +$430 | 494 high |
| 16 | Expected +$427 per submission: 5.2% of 363 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($7,101), and a PSA 9 ($625) still clears the $847 you have in it. Confidence high on that sample. | $157 | $625 | $7,101 | $690 | +$6,254 | 5.2% | +$427 | 363 high |
| 17 | Expected +$404 per submission: 7.4% of 443 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($3,638), and a PSA 9 ($750) still clears the $565 you have in it. Confidence high on that sample. | $160 | $750 | $3,638 | $405 | +$3,073 | 7.4% | +$404 | 443 high |
| 18 | Expected +$390 per submission: 5.5% of 495 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($5,520), and a PSA 9 ($660) still clears the $800 you have in it. Confidence high on that sample. | $126 | $660 | $5,520 | $674 | +$4,720 | 5.5% | +$390 | 495 high |
| 19 | Expected +$366 per submission: 4.9% of 370 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($4,000), and a PSA 9 ($675) still clears the $514 you have in it. Confidence high on that sample. | $105 | $675 | $4,000 | $409 | +$3,486 | 4.9% | +$366 | 370 high |
| 20 | Expected +$284 per submission: 5.1% of 353 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($6,000), and a PSA 9 ($312) still clears the $739 you have in it. Confidence high on that sample. | $60 | $312 | $6,000 | $679 | +$5,261 | 5.1% | +$284 | 353 high |
| 21 | Expected +$239 per submission: 5.8% of 325 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($4,320), and a PSA 9 ($209) still clears the $447 you have in it. Confidence high on that sample. | $35 | $209 | $4,320 | $412 | +$3,873 | 5.8% | +$239 | 325 high |
| 22 | Expected +$193 per submission: 25.1% of 406 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($912), and a PSA 9 ($120) still clears the $104 you have in it. Confidence high on that sample. | $15 | $120 | $912 | $89 | +$808 | 25.1% | +$193 | 406 high |
| 23 | Expected +$175 per submission: 24.4% of 82 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($600), and a PSA 9 ($240) still clears the $96 you have in it. Confidence medium on that sample. | $10 | $240 | $600 | $86 | +$505 | 24.4% | +$175 | 82 medium |
| 24 | Expected +$66 per submission: 41.8% of 91 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($300), and only a PSA 10 covers the $97 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence medium on that sample. | $14 | $90 | $300 | $83 | +$203 | 41.8% | +$66 | 91 medium |
| 25 | Expected +$60 per submission: 56.4% of 163 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($244), and only a PSA 10 covers the $90 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $8 | $45 | $244 | $82 | +$153 | 56.4% | +$60 | 163 high |
| 26 | Expected +$34 per submission: 41.7% of 12 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($198), and only a PSA 10 covers the $89 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence low on that sample. | $7 | $79 | $198 | $82 | +$109 | 41.7% | +$34 | 12 low |
| 27 | Expected +$16 per submission: 31.3% of 80 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($255), and only a PSA 10 covers the $101 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence medium on that sample. | $18 | $62 | $255 | $83 | +$154 | 31.3% | +$16 | 80 medium |
| 28 | Expected +$14 per submission: 7% of 345 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($840), and only a PSA 10 covers the $101 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $13 | $94 | $840 | $88 | +$739 | 7% | +$14 | 345 high |
| 29 | Expected +$9 per submission: 10.9% of 202 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($720), and only a PSA 10 covers the $107 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $20 | $50 | $720 | $87 | +$613 | 10.9% | +$9 | 202 high |
| 30 | Expected +$7 per submission: 29.3% of 116 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($267), and only a PSA 10 covers the $91 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $8 | $28 | $267 | $83 | +$176 | 29.3% | +$7 | 116 high |
| 31 | Expected loss −$4 per submission: 50% of 60 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($157), and only a PSA 10 covers the $99 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence medium on that sample. | $17 | $44 | $157 | $82 | +$58 | 50% | −$4 | 60 medium |
| 32 | Expected loss −$10 per submission: 46.2% of 13 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($148), and only a PSA 10 covers the $86 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence low on that sample. | $5 | $18 | $148 | $81 | +$62 | 46.2% | −$10 | 13 low |
| 33 | Expected loss −$42 per submission: 14.1% of 149 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($291), and only a PSA 10 covers the $98 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $15 | $22 | $291 | $83 | +$193 | 14.1% | −$42 | 149 high |
| 34 | Expected loss −$53 per submission: 11.5% of 122 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($250), and only a PSA 10 covers the $96 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $14 | $18 | $250 | $82 | +$153 | 11.5% | −$53 | 122 high |
| 35 | Expected loss −$54 per submission: 11.3% of 124 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($155), and only a PSA 10 covers the $97 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $15 | $40 | $155 | $82 | +$58 | 11.3% | −$54 | 124 high |
| 36 | Expected loss −$58 per submission: 9.4% of 139 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($189), and only a PSA 10 covers the $91 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $9 | $16 | $189 | $82 | +$98 | 9.4% | −$58 | 139 high |
| 37 | Expected loss −$59 per submission: 5.6% of 143 graded copies came back PSA 10 ($275), and only a PSA 10 covers the $98 you have in it — a 9 loses money. Confidence high on that sample. | $15 | $35 | $275 | $83 | +$177 | 5.6% | −$59 | 143 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 Emerald ranking
Every Emerald card listed here clears one bar: its PSA 10 price beats its raw price by more than the cost of grading it. 37 cards from the set pass. 37 of them (100%) have a gem-rate sample of at least ten graded copies in the population reports, and 30 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 Milotic ex from Emerald, gems 3.5% of the time across 887 graded copies: +$2,131 is what a long run of submissions would average, $46,530 is what one lucky copy returns.
The median gem rate across the sampled Emerald cards is 7.4%. Roughly one submitted copy in 14 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 37 ranked cards, 23 still cover raw price plus fee at PSA 9, 14 need a 10 to break even and 7 lose money on expectation. 31 rest on a hundred or more graded copies.
Before you submit a Emerald 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 Emerald card list, or see how gem-mint premiums run across the whole catalogue on the PSA premium index.
Emerald grading questions
Which Emerald card is the best to grade?
On current numbers the Milotic ex (Emerald #96): 3.5% of 887 graded copies came back PSA 10, an expected profit of $2,131 per submission after the $2,519 grading cost, against a best case of $46,530 if it gems.
How many Emerald cards are worth grading?
30 keep a positive expected value after the fee, out of the 37 with a gem-rate sample of at least ten graded copies. 37 cards on this page have a PSA 10 price that beats the raw price by more than the grading fee.
What gem rate do Emerald cards get at PSA?
The median across the 37 sampled Emerald cards is 7.4%, so about one in 14 of the copies collectors chose to submit came back PSA 10. The strongest rate with a sample of thirty or more is the Zigzagoon (Emerald #74) at 56.4% of 163.
Does the Emerald 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.