In the Pokémon TCG, there is a slight difference between getting a grade 9 or 10; however, that difference can severely change the value of a card.
With only a single digit separating a graded 9 and 10 trading card, what difference does it make in value, and how do cards get a 10 over a 9? In recent years the Pokémon TCG has seen a large spike in popularity and value. Often though a card needs to have a perfect grade to have any sort of value. A graded 8 or below usually lacks value, unless the card is old and had limited printing. The criteria for grading are very strict and often require a bit of luck as well as collector preparation. Of course, there are also pros and cons of getting Pokémon cards graded.
The Pokémon TCG started in October 1996, initially printed by different companies before Nintendo and The Pokémon Company took over the duties in 2003. The series has seen numerous sets released over the years, usually in correspondence with the generation the games are in. Cards are used and valued both for competitive play and collecting, it all depends on the person. As for grading, many companies are around that handle those duties. However, the two most popular are PSA and Beckett. These two are known for having the strictest grading criteria as well as a high reputation that validates the card's grade and value. This is important for trying to make Pokémon cards into a good investment.
Related: Pokémon TCG: How To Spot Fake Cards & Save Yourself Money
The separation between a 9 and 10 is slim but holds a lot of value. Sourcing descriptions from PSA Grading Standards, a 10 is essentially a perfect card. Four sharp corners with no dulling or wear on the card of any kind, essentially it needed to be put into a card sleeve and protected right out of the pack. The luck kicks in where the card needs to have perfect centering and no printing errors; however, there is some tolerance for errors if they are minimal. In comparison, a Pokémon card graded as a 9 is a small step down from a 10. This means usually having some kind of imperfection like a finger stain, imperfect borders, or a more major printing error.
The value of cards changes drastically between a 9 and 10 grade, and some Pokémon cards are worth a lot of money. For example, one of the most popular cards is a 1999 1st Edition Charizard Holo. Using the PSA Price Guide, a PSA 10 of this card is valued at around $375,000. In comparison, a PSA 9 drops down to around $20,000. That is a huge drop in value for just one number, and depending on the collector, a 9 could be just as good as a 10. However, it is this drive for perfection that truly sets the value apart. As with a PSA 10, collectors are getting a Pokémon card knowing it is perfect or as close to perfection as one can get. Even if a PSA 9 looks exactly like a PSA 10 at a glance, some collectors will care about that little imperfection. So the value of a card is connected to the value collectors will put on it, and often an investment into a Pokémon card could take a while to pay off.
So, overall, while the grading difference can be minimal, it greatly affects the value of a Pokémon card. One tiny flaw, whether user error or creator error, can cost greatly in the grand scheme of things. The other trouble nowadays is the Pokémon TCG is printing many more cards than in the past. So while an older card may only have ten thousand copies, a card today could have a million. This severely tanks the value of a card as its rarity no longer matters. Now if a collector does not care about the difference in a grade, getting a PSA 9 will be a much cheaper option for the same result. However, if looking to become a master collector with the high-value PSA 10 cards, be ready to properly protect cards for grading, as well as pay great amounts for the cards desired.
Richard Northrup is a writer for Screen Rant working with the gaming features team. Richard started in the summer of 2022 after graduating college as his first step into the world of professional writing. Being a huge gamer and having focused on Film and writing in college Richard brings a wide variety of aspects and skills to the table. Besides covering video games he also writes scripts and short novels in his free time. When not writing Richard likes to use his time playing video games, watching anime and sports, or enjoying time with his friends.