Is Blastoise worth grading?
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Worth grading — even a PSA 9 beats raw
A PSA 10 Blastoise sells for $130 against $14.18 raw: a $116 spread, 9.2× the ungraded price. Even a PSA 9 ($45.13) clears the raw price after an economy-tier ~$25 fee, so a near-miss still comes out ahead. Centering is the usual reason a clean copy misses the 10 — measure it before you submit.
- Raw (NM)
- $14.18
- PSA 10
- $130
- PSA 9
- $45.13
- Gem premium
- 9.2×
- As of
- Aug 10, 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 | $130 | +$90.95 | +$65.95 | −$34.05 |
| PSA 9 | $45.13 | +$5.95 | −$19.05 | −$119 |
| PSA 8 | $35.54 | −$3.64 | −$28.64 | −$129 |
Net = sale price − $14.18 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% | $66.38 | +$2.20 |
| 50% | $87.63 | +$23.45 |
| 75% | $109 | +$44.70 |
Break-even gem rate at the standard fee: about 22%. Centering is the usual reason a clean copy misses — measure it before you decide.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BGS 10 | $311 | best | 55/45 | 70/30 |
| TAG 10 | $131 | −$180 | 55/45 | 72/28 |
| PSA 10 | $130 | −$181 | 55/45 | 75/25 |
| CGC 10 | $63.15 | −$248 | 55/45 | 75/25 |
| SGC 10 | $32.75 | −$279 | 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 Blastoise — FAQ
Is Blastoise worth grading?
A PSA 10 Blastoise sells for $130 against $14.18 raw: a $116 spread, 9.2× the ungraded price. Even a PSA 9 ($45.13) clears the raw price after an economy-tier ~$25 fee, so a near-miss still comes out ahead. Centering is the usual reason a clean copy misses the 10 — measure it before you submit.
How much is a PSA 10 Blastoise worth compared with raw?
A PSA 10 Blastoise (Celebrations: Classic Collection) sells for about $130 versus $14.18 for a raw near-mint copy — a 9.2× premium as of Aug 10, 2026.
Which grading company is best for Blastoise?
By resale value, BGS 10 leads at $311, ahead of TAG 10 at $131. Fees and turnaround differ, so the best-paying label is not always the best net.
What centering does Blastoise need for a BGS 10?
BGS publishes 55/45 front and 70/30 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.
What gem rate makes grading Blastoise break even?
At a standard ~$50 fee, submitting Blastoise breaks even when it gems about 22% of the time (a miss assumed to sell at the PSA 9 price of $45.13).
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