Is Staryu worth grading?
Pokémon · Pokémon TCG Classic - Blastoise · 004/034 · full price guide →
Worth grading only if it gems
A ACE 10 Staryu brings $38.19 versus $1.55 raw — a $36.64 spread that covers an economy-tier ~$25 grading fee. A PSA 9 ($22.25) only about breaks even after fees, so the case rests on gemming.
- Raw (NM)
- $1.55
- ACE 10
- $38.19
- PSA 9
- $22.25
- Gem premium
- 25×
- 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 — ACE 10 | $38.19 | +$11.64 | −$13.36 | −$113 |
| PSA 9 | $22.25 | −$4.30 | −$29.30 | −$129 |
| PSA 8 | $14.99 | −$11.56 | −$36.56 | −$137 |
Net = sale price − $1.55 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% | $26.23 | −$25.32 |
| 50% | $30.22 | −$21.33 |
| 75% | $34.20 | −$17.34 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CGC 10 | $10.31 | best | 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.
Full grade ladder
Raw conditions & history →Swipe the table for the other grading companies →
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Other Pokémon TCG Classic - Blastoise cards worth checking
Full set checklist →
Grading Staryu — FAQ
Is Staryu worth grading?
A ACE 10 Staryu brings $38.19 versus $1.55 raw — a $36.64 spread that covers an economy-tier ~$25 grading fee. A PSA 9 ($22.25) only about breaks even after fees, so the case rests on gemming.
What centering does Staryu need for a CGC 10?
CGC 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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