Is Lightning Energy worth grading?
Pokémon · Base Set 2 · 128/130 · full price guide →
Worth grading only if it gems
A PSA 10 Lightning Energy brings $30.63 versus $0.38 raw — a $30.25 spread that covers an economy-tier ~$25 grading fee. A PSA 9 ($17.41) only about breaks even after fees, so the case rests on gemming.
- Raw (NM)
- $0.38
- PSA 10
- $30.63
- PSA 9
- $17.41
- Gem premium
- 81×
- As of
- Sep 27, 2026
Break-even by outcome and fee
| If it comes back… | Sells for | Economy / bulk (~$25.00) | Standard (~$50.00) | Express (~$150) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gem — PSA 10 | $30.63 | +$5.25 | −$19.75 | −$120 |
| PSA 9 | $17.41 | −$7.97 | −$32.97 | −$133 |
| PSA 8 | $9.95 | −$15.43 | −$40.43 | −$140 |
Net = sale price − $0.38 raw value − fee. Fee tiers are illustrative; plug your grader's current price into the calculator below.
Expected value — how often does it need to gem?
| Chance it gems | Expected sale | Expected net (standard fee) |
|---|---|---|
| 25% | $20.71 | −$29.66 |
| 50% | $24.02 | −$26.36 |
| 75% | $27.32 | −$23.05 |
At the standard fee this submission does not break even at any realistic gem rate unless the miss lands above the 9 price.
Which grader pays the most — and what a 10 takes
All centering standards →| Grader | 10 sells for | vs best | Front centering for a 10 | Back |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA 10 | $30.63 | best | 55/45 | 75/25 |
| CGC 10 | $10.00 | −$20.63 | 55/45 | 75/25 |
Tolerances are each company's published centering standard for its top grade; surface, corners and edges must also be clean. Centering is the one you can measure yourself before you pay.
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Grading Lightning Energy — FAQ
Is Lightning Energy worth grading?
A PSA 10 Lightning Energy brings $30.63 versus $0.38 raw — a $30.25 spread that covers an economy-tier ~$25 grading fee. A PSA 9 ($17.41) only about breaks even after fees, so the case rests on gemming.
How much is a PSA 10 Lightning Energy worth compared with raw?
A PSA 10 Lightning Energy (Base Set 2 128/130) sells for about $30.63 versus $0.38 for a raw near-mint copy — a 81× premium as of Sep 27, 2026.
Which grading company is best for Lightning Energy?
By resale value, PSA 10 leads at $30.63, ahead of CGC 10 at $10.00. Fees and turnaround differ, so the best-paying label is not always the best net.
What centering does Lightning Energy need for a PSA 10?
PSA publishes 55/45 front and 75/25 back centering as the tolerance for a 10 (Gem Mint). Off-center copies are capped below the top grade regardless of surface — measure yours before paying the fee.
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