Are Your Pokémon Cards Worth Grading? 3 Key Things to Check
Grading your Pokémon cards can massively increase their value — if the condition justifies it. But not every holo or rare is worth sending in.
Here are three things every collector should check before paying to grade a card.
🔍 1. Surface: Look for Scratches, Dents & Holofoil Defects
Even minor surface flaws can knock a grade from a 10 to a 7 — and destroy resale value.
- Hold the card under a bright light and tilt it at angles
- Look for print lines, pressure dents, or surface scratches (especially on holos)
- Holofoil bleed or specks of whitening = automatic downgrade
Tip: PSA is stricter on surface than centering — don’t overlook it.
🧱 2. Corners & Edges: Is the Whitening Minimal?
Whitening is one of the most common killers of high grades.
- Check all four corners — both front and back
- Slight chipping on edges may still get a PSA 9
- Heavy whitening = PSA 6–7, even if the rest is clean
Use a magnifying glass or high-res phone camera to inspect up close.
➕ 3. Centering: Does the Border Look Balanced?
Most grading companies allow ~55/45 or 60/40 centering for a PSA 10, but anything worse drops your chances.
- Eyeball left vs. right and top vs. bottom
- Use a card grading centering tool if you want to get precise
- OC (Off-Center) qualifiers only help if the card is perfect otherwise
🎯 Should You Grade It?
Here’s a basic guideline:
| Card Type | Grade Needed to Be Worth It |
|---|---|
| Base Set Charizard | PSA 6+ |
| Modern Alt Art | PSA 9–10 |
| Commons/Uncommons | PSA 10 only |
| Japanese Promos | PSA 9–10 |
🧠 Final Tip
Don’t guess. Compare your card to sold listings on eBay or TCGPlayer by grade — then decide.
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