Raw vs graded Pokémon cards: what PSA, CGC and BGS grades mean
What grading is, how the main grading companies’ scales work, and how to think about whether grading a card is worth it.
A raw card is one that hasn’t been graded. A graded card has been sent to a grading company, which checks that it’s genuine, gives it a grade for its condition and seals it in a labeled plastic case, a slab. Graded and raw copies of the same card sell at different prices.
The grading companies
The best-known grading companies for Pokémon cards are PSA, CGC and BGS (Beckett). TAG, SGC and others grade Pokémon cards too. Each grades on a scale of 1 to 10, judging things like:
- Centering: how evenly the picture sits between the borders.
- Corners: sharp or worn.
- Edges: clean or chipped and white.
- Surface: scratches, print lines and dents.
Each company publishes its own scale and standards, and they differ in details, so check the company’s site for exactly what each grade means.
Grades worth knowing
- 10 is the top grade at every company. PSA calls it Gem Mint.
- 9 (Mint at PSA) is a near-perfect card with a small flaw.
- Half grades like 8.5 or 9.5 exist at several companies.
- Higher than a 10: some companies have a top tier above their regular 10. BGS gives a Black Label when all four subgrades are 10, and CGC has a Pristine 10. Holofile lists these as their own grades, like “BGS 10 Black Label” and “CGC 10 Pristine”.
How grade affects price
A slab’s price depends on the card, the company and the grade. For many modern cards, a 10 sells for well above a raw Near Mint copy, while a 9 or lower may sell for little more than raw, or even less. That gap is different for every card, so look at real numbers rather than rules of thumb.
Every card page on Holofile lists graded prices for each printing, grader by grader, next to the raw prices. Compare, for example, the graded and raw prices of Pikachu ex from Surging Sparks.
Is grading worth it?
That depends on numbers only you can weigh:
- The card’s condition. Look closely at centering, corners, edges and surface before you send anything. A card with visible wear is unlikely to get a top grade.
- The price gap. What does the grade you expect sell for, compared with a raw copy?
- The cost. Grading fees, shipping and insurance, and the time it takes to get the card back.
Grading also helps sell a card: a buyer knows a graded card is genuine and what condition it’s in.
Track graded cards
In the Holofile app, record a slab’s company and grade and it’s valued at that grade’s price. The app also compares each grade’s price with raw and shows how many copies have been graded. See Conditions and grades and Graded prices and population.