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 +$22,705 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	$453	$23,817	$658	+$22,705	−$504
2	VenusaurBase Set 2 #18 · 1.1% gem rate	$98	$2,432	$129	+$2,204	−$52
3	RaichuBase Set 2 #16 · 0.9% gem rate	$55	$1,589	$121	+$1,413	−$88
4	NinetalesBase Set 2 #13 · 2.5% gem rate	$33	$1,560	$121	+$1,407	−$59
5	GyaradosBase Set 2 #7 · 1.9% gem rate	$41	$1,473	$120	+$1,313	−$60
6	ZapdosBase Set 2 #20 · 3% gem rate	$38	$1,310	$118	+$1,154	−$53
7	AlakazamBase Set 2 #1 · 1.4% gem rate	$55	$940	$89	+$795	−$52
8	ScytherBase Set 2 #17 · 1% gem rate	$34	$909	$89	+$785	−$60
9	PidgeotBase Set 2 #14 · 0.8% gem rate	$38	$896	$89	+$769	−$60
10	HitmonchanBase Set 2 #8 · 0.9% gem rate	$23	$631	$86	+$522	−$64
11	SnorlaxBase Set 2 #30 · 16.1% gem rate	$29	$635	$86	+$520	+$28
12	ClefairyBase Set 2 #6 · 0.6% gem rate	$20	$472	$75	+$377	−$55
13	NidokingBase Set 2 #11 · 0.8% gem rate	$42	$411	$74	+$295	−$51
14	MagnetonBase Set 2 #9 · 0.9% gem rate	$23	$166	$72	+$72	−$57
15	DragonairBase Set 2 #22 · 13.5% gem rate	$10	$140	$71	+$59	−$40
16	IvysaurBase Set 2 #44 · 21.7% gem rate	$7	$109	$71	+$31	−$38
17	ElectrodeBase Set 2 #25 · 25.3% gem rate	$9	$83	$71	+$3	−$47

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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