Best Pokemon Ancient Origins Cards to Grade

Top 20 Pokemon Ancient Origins Cards by PSA 10 Payoff, All with Positive Expected Value

Looking for the best Pokemon Ancient Origins cards to grade? These are the 20 picks with the highest payoff if the card comes back a PSA 10. Every card here also has positive expected value once every grade outcome is weighted by its real gem rate, so the ranking never recommends a card the math says to skip.

How these numbers work. Expected value weights every PSA grade by how often this card actually earns it, then subtracts the raw price and the $79.99 grading fee. If PSA 10 is the single best-case outcome: PSA 10 price minus raw price minus the grading fee. Selling fees, shipping, and insurance are not deducted — set your own selling fee on any card page.

Prices updated weekly · Last updated October 1, 2026

M Rayquaza EX #98

Positive EV $1,879.48

Raw $512.55 → PSA 10 $10,500.00Gem Rate 14.2%ROI 1672%

$9,907.46

if PSA 10

Lugia EX #94

Positive EV $893.54

Raw $144.48 → PSA 10 $5,325.00Gem Rate 15.1%ROI 2272%

$5,100.53

if PSA 10

Primal Kyogre EX #96

Positive EV $789.83

Raw $202.50 → PSA 10 $4,675.00Gem Rate 15.6%ROI 1555%

$4,392.51

if PSA 10

Gyarados [Cosmos Holo] #21

Positive EV $245.92

Raw $69.96 → PSA 10 $4,518.75Gem Rate 2.4%ROI 2914%

$4,368.80

if PSA 10

Primal Groudon #97

Positive EV $992.19

Raw $207.40 → PSA 10 $4,250.00Gem Rate 22%ROI 1379%

$3,962.61

if PSA 10

Gyarados #21

Positive EV $174.54

Raw $55.00 → PSA 10 $2,900.00Gem Rate 5.5%ROI 2048%

$2,765.01

if PSA 10

Giratina EX #93

Positive EV $606.47

Raw $91.47 → PSA 10 $2,733.36Gem Rate 21.8%ROI 1494%

$2,561.90

if PSA 10

Gyarados [Reverse Holo] #21

Positive EV $34.51

Raw $36.86 → PSA 10 $2,300.00Gem Rate 2.4%ROI 1868%

$2,183.15

if PSA 10

Entei [Cosmos Holo] #14

Positive EV $39.76

Raw $5.09 → PSA 10 $2,225.00Gem Rate 3.6%ROI 2515%

$2,139.92

if PSA 10

Metagross #50

Positive EV $941.79

Raw $5.00 → PSA 10 $1,956.00Gem Rate 14.9%ROI 2201%

$1,871.01

if PSA 10

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Tyranitar EX #91

Positive EV $326.24

Raw $75.00 → PSA 10 $1,886.70Gem Rate 18.8%ROI 1117%

$1,731.71

if PSA 10

Ampharos EX #87

Positive EV $267.33

Raw $31.54 → PSA 10 $1,732.92Gem Rate 17.2%ROI 1454%

$1,621.39

if PSA 10

Sceptile EX #84

Positive EV $299.08

Raw $44.66 → PSA 10 $1,700.00Gem Rate 20.6%ROI 1264%

$1,575.35

if PSA 10

M Sceptile EX #85

Positive EV $260.75

Raw $67.55 → PSA 10 $1,412.50Gem Rate 21.1%ROI 857%

$1,264.96

if PSA 10

Metagross [Reverse Holo] #50

Positive EV $32.18

Raw $9.00 → PSA 10 $1,250.00Gem Rate 6.8%ROI 1305%

$1,161.01

if PSA 10

Kyurem EX #86

Positive EV $211.51

Raw $31.00 → PSA 10 $1,200.00Gem Rate 21.8%ROI 981%

$1,089.01

if PSA 10

Machamp EX #90

Positive EV $152.93

Raw $20.00 → PSA 10 $992.00Gem Rate 21%ROI 892%

$892.01

if PSA 10

Hoopa EX #89

Positive EV $205.03

Raw $29.50 → PSA 10 $900.61Gem Rate 28%ROI 723%

$791.12

if PSA 10

M Tyranitar EX #92

Positive EV $193.22

Raw $55.00 → PSA 10 $916.75Gem Rate 25.4%ROI 579%

$781.76

if PSA 10

M Ampharos EX #88

Positive EV $131.54

Raw $47.52 → PSA 10 $875.00Gem Rate 21.9%ROI 586%

$747.49

if PSA 10

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