PSA update (Sept 19): Standard is open at $59.99 (estimated 90–100 business days). Value tiers remain paused and can be selected on card pages as hold scenarios using their previous fees. PSA Priority is $79.99 (70–80 business days). Historical article examples retain their dated fees. Pricing, limits and details
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Home/Sets/Pokemon Diamond & Pearl/Best Cards

Best Pokemon Diamond & Pearl Cards to Grade

Top 11 Pokemon Diamond & Pearl Cards by PSA 10 Payoff, All with Positive Expected Value

Looking for the best Pokemon Diamond & Pearl cards to grade? These are the 11 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 6, 2026

1
Empoleon LV. X #120

Empoleon LV. X #120

Positive EV $743.65
Raw $23.99 → PSA 10 $21,167.00Gem Rate 3%ROI 20257%

$21,063.02

if PSA 10

2
Infernape LV. X #121

Infernape LV. X #121

Positive EV $791.80
Raw $67.86 → PSA 10 $10,950.00Gem Rate 6.8%ROI 7306%

$10,802.15

if PSA 10

3
Lucario [Reverse Holo] #6

Lucario [Reverse Holo] #6

Positive EV $181.52
Raw $17.00 → PSA 10 $9,000.00Gem Rate 2.5%ROI 9179%

$8,903.01

if PSA 10

4
Lucario #6

Lucario #6

Positive EV $196.69
Raw $35.35 → PSA 10 $8,040.00Gem Rate 2.5%ROI 6871%

$7,924.66

if PSA 10

5
Gengar #27

Gengar #27

Positive EV $126.24
Raw $36.05 → PSA 10 $7,499.00Gem Rate 0.3%ROI 6362%

$7,382.96

if PSA 10

6
Torterra #17

Torterra #17

Positive EV $262.92
Raw $8.55 → PSA 10 $7,000.00Gem Rate 2.6%ROI 7806%

$6,911.46

if PSA 10

7
Torterra LV. X #122

Torterra LV. X #122

Positive EV $272.28
Raw $97.19 → PSA 10 $4,814.25Gem Rate 6.1%ROI 2617%

$4,637.07

if PSA 10

8
Magnezone #8

Magnezone #8

Positive EV $30.47
Raw $6.68 → PSA 10 $1,999.99Gem Rate 4%ROI 2208%

$1,913.32

if PSA 10

9
Gengar [Reverse Holo] #27

Gengar [Reverse Holo] #27

Positive EV $698.16
Raw $74.25 → PSA 10 $1,630.56Gem Rate 50%ROI 957%

$1,476.32

if PSA 10

10
Palkia #11

Palkia #11

Positive EV $2.00
Raw $12.77 → PSA 10 $450.00Gem Rate 2.8%ROI 385%

$357.24

if PSA 10

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11
Mime Jr. #90

Mime Jr. #90

Positive EV $29.65
Raw $2.65 → PSA 10 $112.29Gem Rate 100%ROI 36%

$29.65

if PSA 10

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© 2026 Should You Grade? Data from PriceCharting & GemRate.
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