Is Zapdos worth grading?
Pokémon · Vivid Voltage · 048/185 · full price guide →
Worth grading only if it gems
A PSA 10 Zapdos brings $29.11 versus $0.49 raw — a $28.62 spread that covers an economy-tier ~$25 grading fee. A PSA 9 ($22.51) only about breaks even after fees, so the case rests on gemming.
- Raw (NM)
- $0.49
- PSA 10
- $29.11
- PSA 9
- $22.51
- Gem premium
- 59×
- 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 | $29.11 | +$3.62 | −$21.38 | −$121 |
| PSA 9 | $22.51 | −$2.98 | −$27.98 | −$128 |
| PSA 8 | $15.00 | −$10.49 | −$35.49 | −$135 |
Net = sale price − $0.49 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% | $24.16 | −$26.33 |
| 50% | $25.81 | −$24.68 |
| 75% | $27.46 | −$23.03 |
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 | $29.99 | best | 55/45 | 75/25 |
| PSA 10 | $29.11 | −$0.88 | 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 Zapdos — FAQ
Is Zapdos worth grading?
A PSA 10 Zapdos brings $29.11 versus $0.49 raw — a $28.62 spread that covers an economy-tier ~$25 grading fee. A PSA 9 ($22.51) only about breaks even after fees, so the case rests on gemming.
How much is a PSA 10 Zapdos worth compared with raw?
A PSA 10 Zapdos (Vivid Voltage 048/185) sells for about $29.11 versus $0.49 for a raw near-mint copy — a 59× premium as of Aug 10, 2026.
Which grading company is best for Zapdos?
By resale value, CGC 10 leads at $29.99, ahead of PSA 10 at $29.11. Fees and turnaround differ, so the best-paying label is not always the best net.
What centering does Zapdos 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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