Professor's Research #23

Pokemon Celebrations · #023 · Base · Oct 2021

Buy Raw on eBayPSA 10 Sold on eBay

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Maybe — Proceed with Caution

Should You Grade?

Raw Price

$1.26

Expected Value

$-5.23

Net Profit

$3.61

Gem Rate

10.5%

ROI

+22%

Sales / Yr

291

Negative expected value ($-5.23) — while a PSA 10 would be profitable, the probability-weighted outcome across all grades means you lose money on average at this grading tier. The gem rate is only 10% — you'll need a very clean copy to hit PSA 10. PSA 10 profit of $3.61 is thin — grading fees and selling costs eat most of the margin.

Best Tier for Flipping

Unlock with Pro →

Factors in grading cost, turnaround time, and compounding — how fast you can reinvest profits into the next flip.

Profitability by Grading Company

Company	Best Tier	Gem Rate	Pop	10s	Cost	EV	Net Profit	ROI
PSA	PSA Standard	52.3%	8,420	1,250	$20.00	$85.40	$32.50	127%
BGS	BGS Standard	52.3%	8,420	1,250	$20.00	$85.40	$32.50	127%
CGC	CGC Standard	52.3%	8,420	1,250	$20.00	$85.40	$32.50	127%
SGC	SGC Standard	52.3%	8,420	1,250	$20.00	$85.40	$32.50	127%
TAG	TAG Standard	52.3%	8,420	1,250	$20.00	$85.40	$32.50	127%

Compare All Companies with Pro →

Shows the best-value tier from each grading company based on EV, cost, and turnaround. Pop = total graded population; 10s = grade 10 count.

Price by Grade

Raw

$1.26

BGS 10

$176.00

PSA 10

$135.00

CGC 10

$19.87

$11.21

SGC 10

$10.50

$10.21

BGS 9.5

$9.59

$8.20

View Sold PSA 10 Prices on PriceCharting →View Grading Data on GemRate →

10.5%Gem Rate (PSA 10)

Grade Distribution (717 total graded)

717Total

PSA 107510.5%

PSA 930742.8%

PSA 823733.1%

PSA 7628.6%

Below 7344.7%