Pokémon Guide March 2026 · 11 min read
Grading your Pokémon card:
is it worth it or not?
Pokémon card grading can transform a card worth €40 into a collector's item worth €200. But the same process can also cost you more than it brings in if you make the wrong choices. We'll explain everything — how it works, which cards are worth grading, which service to choose, and how The Lucky Hand offers you a way to start with an already graded card.
What is Pokémon card grading?
Grading — or certification — consists of having the physical condition of a card evaluated by a specialized and independent company. Experts examine the card according to precise criteria, assign it a grade, and then encapsulate it in a sealed, tamper-proof plastic case called a "slab".
This case bears the official grade, the card's name, and a unique certification number. Once graded, the card is permanently protected and its grade can be verified by any potential buyer on the grading service's online registry.
Why it's important: in the world of collecting, a card's condition is as important as its rarity. The same card can be worth 3 times more in perfect condition than in ordinary condition. Grading transforms a subjective estimate ("this card is in good condition") into objective certification ("this card is graded 9/10 by PSA"). It's the difference between a flea market and a regulated market.
The grading scale: from 1 to 10
All major grading services use a scale of 1 to 10. Here's what each grade specifically means, and its impact on market value:
1-4
Poor to Good
Damaged · little added value
5-6
Excellent
Visible wear · modest value
7-8
Near Mint
Slight marks · good value
9
Mint
Almost perfect · highly sought after
10
Gem Mint
Perfect · absolute premium
Grades 9 and 10 are the only ones that truly multiply a card's value significantly. Below 8, the cost of grading often exceeds the gain in value. This is why choosing the right cards to grade is as important as the process itself.
What graders examine
The evaluation focuses on four areas, each graded separately before arriving at the overall grade:
-
The corners — the most fragile area. A single dinged corner can drop a card from a 9 to a 7. Corners must be clean, sharp, with no signs of wear.
-
The edges — the four edges of the card. The slightest chipping or nick is unacceptable for a 10.
-
The surface — scratches, fingerprints, holographic shine, microscopic "shark teeth" visible at certain angles.
-
Centering — the margin between the image and the borders. Imperfect centering, even minimal, impacts the grade. Japanese cards are often better centered than French ones.
What grading really changes about the value
The numbers speak for themselves. Here are concrete examples of value multiplication for popular cards according to their PSA grade, based on Cardmarket and eBay prices from early 2026:
Example — Charizard SAR (Scarlet & Violet)
Ungraded (Near Mint)~€60
PSA 7~€70
PSA 8~€90
PSA 9~€180
PSA 10~€500+
Example — Pikachu AR (recent)
Ungraded (Near Mint)~€25
PSA 7-8~€30-35
PSA 9~€65
PSA 10~€150-200
The 5x rule: a PSA 10 card is on average 5 to 8 times more valuable than the same ungraded Near Mint card — for popular cards. For less sought-after cards, this multiplier often drops to 1.5 or 2 — which does not always offset the grading costs.
How to get your card graded: the steps
1
Evaluate if the card is worth grading
First, check the ungraded price on Cardmarket. If the card is worth less than €30-40, the grading fees will likely exceed the value gain unless you are almost certain of a grade 10. For high-value cards (€50+), the calculation becomes favorable from PSA 9.
2
Inspect the card's condition before sending
Examine the card under raking light to spot surface scratches. Check all four corners with a magnifying glass. Visually measure the centering. If you see obvious flaws, grading won't erase them — it will officialize them.
3
Create an account and submit online
On the chosen service's website (PSA, BGS, CGC...), you create an account, submit your card online with the desired service level, and receive packaging instructions. Packaging is crucial — a poorly protected card can arrive damaged and receive a low grade.
4
Pack and ship with care
The card should be placed in a soft sleeve, then in a rigid top loader, surrounded by bubble wrap, in a padded envelope or a rigid box. Registered mail with tracking is the minimum; registered mail for valuable cards.
5
Wait — and receive your card in a slab
Processing times vary from 15 days (premium express service) to several months (economy service). You will receive your card encapsulated in its slab with the official grade and a unique certification number verifiable online.
The Lucky Hand
Receive a graded AR 9.
Without worrying about the process.
THE GRADING: a Japanese AR graded minimum 9, selected and certified. You receive the card directly in its slab. €34.99.
Discover THE GRADING →
Which grading service to choose?
Three major players dominate the global market. Each has its strengths, weaknesses, and positioning:
| Service |
Origin |
Base price |
Standard turnaround |
Market recognition |
For whom |
| PSA |
USA |
~€18-25/card |
3 to 6 months |
● Global reference |
Valuable cards, international resale |
| BGS / Beckett |
USA |
~€20-30/card |
2 to 4 months |
● Highly recognized |
Premium collectors, detailed sub-grades |
| CGC |
USA |
~€15-20/card |
1 to 3 months |
● Growing |
Accessible alternative, shorter turnaround |
| Pure Grading |
France 🇫🇷 |
~€8-15/card |
2 to 6 weeks |
● FR/EU market |
Beginners, medium-value cards, no customs |
PSA — the authoritative reference in all markets
Professional Sports Authenticator is the most recognized grading service in the world. A card in a PSA slab sells more easily and often for more than a card graded by a competitor, even with the same grade. It's the standard for any card valued over €100. The main drawback: the turnaround times and shipping costs from France (customs, international shipping fees) which can exceed €30-40 for a single shipment.
Pure Grading — the French service to know
Pure Grading is a French service partnered with The Lucky Hand. Its advantages are real: no customs, much shorter turnaround times than PSA, and affordable rates for beginners. For medium-value cards (€20-80) or to start understanding the process without high financial risk, it is often the best option in France.
Our practical recommendation: start with Pure Grading for moderately valuable cards and to learn the process. Use PSA for high-value cards (€100+) where international recognition justifies the extra costs.
THE LUCKY HAND · BOOSTER ONLY HIT · THE THRILL OF OPENING HITS · PARIS · THE LUCKY HAND · BOOSTER ONLY HIT · THE THRILL OF OPENING HITS · PARIS · THE LUCKY HAND · BOOSTER ONLY HIT · THE THRILL OF OPENING HITS · PARIS ·
Which cards are worth grading?
This is the most important question — and the one most often answered incorrectly by beginners. Grading any card is a financial mistake. Here are the criteria that must be met for grading to be relevant:
Grade — yes, if…
- The card is worth €50+ ungraded
- You are reasonably certain of a 9 or 10
- It's a popular Pokémon (Charizard, Pikachu, Mewtwo...)
- The card comes from an unopened booster or was hand-pulled (without manipulation)
- You are aiming for resale or long-term collection
- It's a Japanese card (often better centered)
Don't grade — no, if…
- The card is worth less than €30 ungraded
- You observe visible defects (scratches, corners)
- It's a common Rare without a popular Pokémon
- You don't intend to sell
- The card has been handled without precautions
- You are just aiming for the pleasure of collecting
How much does it really cost?
The price displayed by grading services is only the visible part. Here is the real total cost of a PSA grading from France for one card:
Total cost of a PSA grading from France
PSA grading fees (standard rate)~€25
Shipping France → USA (registered)~€15-25
Return USA → France + customs~€15-30
Insurance (recommended for cards >€100)~€5-10
Total cost for 1 card~€60-90
This means that to make a PSA grading profitable, your card must increase in value by at least €60 to €90 between its ungraded condition and its obtained grade. This is only realistic for popular cards with high potential value at PSA 9 or 10.
Total cost of a Pure Grading from France
Pure Grading fees~€8-15
Shipping France → France (tracked)~€5-8
Return + insurance~€5
Total cost for 1 card~€20-28
Pure Grading is significantly more accessible for getting started. For a card worth €30-50, profitability can be achieved with a grade 8-9 for popular characters.
The classic beginner's mistake: grading in bulk without selection. Sending 20 ordinary cards to "see what they get" costs €400-500 in combined fees, only to often receive 20 PSA 7-8 cards whose combined value does not exceed €200. Grading is earned — only select cards that truly justify it.
The Grading: receive an already graded card
The grading process is exciting — but it is also long, complex, and potentially costly for a beginner. That's why The Lucky Hand created THE GRADING: a unique booster that allows you to directly receive an already graded card, without managing the entire process yourself.
THE GRADING
Japanese AR · graded 9 minimum · guaranteed
You receive a Japanese Alternative Rare card encapsulated in its official slab, with a minimum grade of 9. Hand-selected, certified, ready to join your collection or be resold. The grading experience without the wait or international shipping costs.
Discover THE GRADING →
What makes THE GRADING unique: the guaranteed minimum grade of 9. On the standard market, an ungraded AR is worth between €5 and €50 depending on the Pokémon. In PSA 9, the same AR is worth between €30 and €180. The Lucky Hand absorbs the risk of grading — you directly receive the certified result.
It's also an excellent way to understand what a slab is before you embark on the process yourself. You see the item, you understand the grade, you touch the case — and then you decide if you want to start grading your own cards.
The Lucky Hand
The grading experience.
Without the process.
THE GRADING: a Japanese AR graded 9 minimum, in an official slab. €34.99 · Delivery to France · +150 Trustpilot reviews
See THE GRADING →
FAQ
Is it worth it to grade a Pokémon card worth €20?
Generally no — the grading fees (even through Pure Grading) will be close to the card's value. Grading becomes interesting for cards worth €40-50+ ungraded, with a real chance of getting a grade 9 or 10. Below that, the operation is rarely financially profitable, even if it can be of interest for preservation or personal collection.
What is the difference between PSA and Pure Grading?
PSA is the global benchmark American service — a card in a PSA slab is recognized and valued in all international markets. Pure Grading is a more accessible French service: no customs fees, shorter turnaround times (a few weeks vs several months for PSA), and lower rates. Pure Grading is ideal for beginners or for moderately valuable cards intended for the French and European market.
How do I know if a card has a chance of getting a PSA 9 or 10?
Examine all four corners under raking light — they must be clean and sharp. Check the edges for any chipping. Look at the surface from different angles to detect micro-scratches. Evaluate the centering: the margins must be regular on all four sides. If you see any obvious flaw, PSA 10 is excluded and PSA 9 is compromised. Japanese cards statistically have a better chance due to their better average centering.
How long does a PSA grading from France take?
In 2026, PSA turnaround times vary depending on the chosen service level: from 15-30 days for express (very expensive) to 3-6 months for standard. Including shipping and return from France, it generally takes 4 to 7 months for a standard submission. This is why many French collectors turn to Pure Grading for shorter turnaround times.
Does a graded card sell more easily?
Yes, significantly. A card in a graded slab offers a guarantee of authenticity and condition certified by an independent third party. The buyer does not have to trust the seller's description — the grade is official and verifiable. On eBay and collecting platforms, graded cards have a significantly higher conversion rate than ungraded cards, especially for high-value cards.
What is THE GRADING at The Lucky Hand?
THE GRADING is a unique booster at €34.99 that allows you to directly receive a Japanese AR already graded with a minimum grade of 9, without having to manage the grading process yourself. You receive the card in its official slab, certified, ready for your collection. It's ideal for discovering the world of grading or starting a collection of certified cards without going through weeks of waiting and international shipping costs.
H
Hugo — Founder of The Lucky Hand
A collector since childhood, I created The Lucky Hand after too often opening overpriced boosters only to pull commons. Our mission: to make the thrill of opening certain and accessible. Paris · 2024
