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 XY/Best Cards

Best Pokemon XY Cards to Grade

Top 8 Pokemon XY Cards by PSA 10 Payoff, All with Positive Expected Value

Looking for the best Pokemon XY cards to grade? These are the 8 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
Blastoise EX #142

Blastoise EX #142

Positive EV $240.20
Raw $86.25 → PSA 10 $16,153.82Gem Rate 1.2%ROI 9617%

$15,987.58

if PSA 10

2
Pikachu [Reverse Holo] #42

Pikachu [Reverse Holo] #42

Positive EV $655.03
Raw $12.99 → PSA 10 $6,430.50Gem Rate 11.1%ROI 6816%

$6,337.52

if PSA 10

3
Venusaur EX #141

Venusaur EX #141

Positive EV $184.84
Raw $52.72 → PSA 10 $3,544.65Gem Rate 2.1%ROI 2571%

$3,411.94

if PSA 10

4
Xerneas EX #146

Xerneas EX #146

Positive EV $127.25
Raw $47.62 → PSA 10 $3,380.00Gem Rate 2.1%ROI 2549%

$3,252.39

if PSA 10

5
Pikachu [Cosmos Holo] #42

Pikachu [Cosmos Holo] #42

Positive EV $97.85
Raw $16.06 → PSA 10 $1,399.00Gem Rate 11.1%ROI 1357%

$1,302.95

if PSA 10

6
Yveltal EX #144

Yveltal EX #144

Positive EV $11.66
Raw $66.38 → PSA 10 $646.38Gem Rate 0.7%ROI 342%

$500.01

if PSA 10

7
Mega Venusaur EX #2

Mega Venusaur EX #2

Positive EV $7.86
Raw $11.50 → PSA 10 $499.56Gem Rate 17.3%ROI 446%

$408.07

if PSA 10

8
Mega Blastoise EX #30

Mega Blastoise EX #30

Positive EV $14.53
Raw $21.44 → PSA 10 $318.07Gem Rate 29.4%ROI 214%

$216.64

if PSA 10

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