Grade-tier premium guide
PSA 10 vs PSA 9: Is the Premium Worth It?
Compare a real card, test your price, then dig into the grading framework if you want the reasoning.
Current publication-safe evidence
What would you pay?
The live comparison is temporarily unavailable. No values are shown until both PSA tiers pass the publication and freshness checks.
Framework corpus below: legacy market data as of May 31, 2026 · Source: PokeTrace · 1,914 cards across 23 sets. This corpus is separate from the fresh pilot evidence above.
Legacy corpus examples
Three spread examples
Use these May 31 vintage holo, vintage non-holo, and modern chase examples to anchor the framework before reading the full legacy ranking.
Vintage WOTC holo
Base Set Charizard 4/102
PSA 10$30,100.00
PSA 9$3,303.48
Spread$26,797
Gap ratio9.1x
PSA 9 of PSA 1011%
Vintage WOTC non-holo
Base Set Dragonair 18/102
PSA 10$303.00
PSA 9$60.25
Spread$243
Gap ratio5.0x
PSA 9 of PSA 1020%
Modern chase
SV: Scarlet & Violet 151 Kingler 99/165
PSA 10$355.00
PSA 9$7.50
Spread$348
Gap ratio47.3x
PSA 9 of PSA 102%
Decision framework
Four categories, four different answers
Match the card to one of four market categories, then weigh the observed spread against grading cost and an honest top-grade hit rate.
Category 1: Vintage WOTC holos
On the iconic holos from Base, Jungle, Fossil, and Team Rocket the PSA 10 premium is almost always worth paying. Twenty-five-year-old print runs, sub-one-percent PSA 10 rates on the centered copies, and a thick collector demand floor combine to make the spread structural. The example below is the most-traded vintage Charizard. The PSA 10 to PSA 9 ratio is real and stable.
Base Set Charizard
Base Set Charizard 4/102
PSA 10$30,100.00
PSA 9$3,303.48
Spread$26,797
Gap ratio9.1x
PSA 9 of PSA 1011%
Category 2: Vintage WOTC non-holos
On non-holo rares from the same era the gap is real but smaller, typically three to eight times the PSA 9 price. Lower demand floor, fewer condition obsessives, and a deeper PSA 9 supply pull the ratio in. The premium is still meaningful, but the case for paying it is closer to a value judgment than a no-brainer.
Base Set Dragonair
Base Set Dragonair 18/102
PSA 10$303.00
PSA 9$60.25
Spread$243
Gap ratio5.0x
PSA 9 of PSA 1020%
Category 3: Modern chase (alt arts, secret rares)
On modern alt arts and secret rares the gap depends almost entirely on PSA 10 population, not on print run age. Cards that look perfect from a pack still routinely come back PSA 9 because of edge wear or centering, which keeps PSA 10 pop low and spreads wide. The example below was the steepest gap in the modern era inside the legacy Slablytics manifest at the framework data date.
SV: Scarlet & Violet 151 Kingler
SV: Scarlet & Violet 151 Kingler 99/165
PSA 10$355.00
PSA 9$7.50
Spread$348
Gap ratio47.3x
PSA 9 of PSA 102%
Category 4: Modern bulk holos
On modern bulk holos and most modern rares the PSA 10 premium rarely justifies the grading risk. The math: PSA economy tier runs about $19, return shipping about $15, so the sunk cost before any sale is about $34. If the PSA 10 sells for under about $80 and the PSA 9 sells for under about $25, you are betting $34 to win a coin flip on a $55 spread. Skip these unless you have a specific information edge on centering.
The grading economics: should you grade a raw Charizard?
You found a Base Set Charizard 4/102 in NM to mint condition. PokeTrace puts the raw market at $508.16. Should you send it to PSA economy and try for the gem mint hit?
Lay out every cost and every probable outcome. No hedging.
- Raw acquisition cost$508.16
- PSA economy grading fee$19
- Return shipping$15
- Total invested before sale$542
- Sale price if PSA 10$30,100.00
- Sale price if PSA 9$3,303.48
- PSA 10 hit rate (conservative)15%
- Expected gross sale price$7,323
- eBay final-value fees (13%)-$952
- Expected net sale price$6,371
- Expected net profit$5,829
Run this with your own numbers on the Base Set Charizard PSA 9 vs PSA 10 comparison page →
Grade-tier spread: top 50 cards by PSA 10 to PSA 9 ratio
Every card in the legacy May 31 Slablytics manifest with both a PSA 9 and a PSA 10 sale price, ranked by the size of the gap. Click into a comparison page for the full three-outcome EV calculator on that card.
| Card | Set | PSA 9 | PSA 10 | Spread | Gap ratio | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kingler 99/165 | SV: Scarlet & Violet 151 | $7.50 | $355.00 | $348 | 47.3x | Card data |
| Xatu 72/182 | SV04: Paradox Rift | $7.50 | $344.74 | $337 | 46.0x | Card data |
| Pokémon March 102/111 | Neo Genesis | $1.25 | $54.95 | $54 | 44.0x | Card data |
| Weezing 29/68 | Hidden Fates | $11.83 | $510.00 | $498 | 43.1x | PSA 9 vs PSA 10 |
| Applin 9/131 | SV: Prismatic Evolutions | $0.99 | $41.50 | $41 | 41.9x | Card data |
| Dusknoir 37/131 | SV: Prismatic Evolutions | $2.41 | $80.25 | $78 | 33.3x | PSA 9 vs PSA 10 |
| Raticate 20/165 | SV: Scarlet & Violet 151 | $4.25 | $135.32 | $131 | 31.8x | PSA 9 vs PSA 10 |
| Gyarados 130/165 | SV: Scarlet & Violet 151 | $9.13 | $270.47 | $261 | 29.6x | PSA 9 vs PSA 10 |
| Tangela 114/165 | SV: Scarlet & Violet 151 | $12.40 | $365.00 | $353 | 29.4x | PSA 9 vs PSA 10 |
| Jynx 62/195 | SWSH12: Silver Tempest | $14.15 | $400.00 | $386 | 28.3x | PSA 9 vs PSA 10 |
| Buneary 83/131 | SV: Prismatic Evolutions | $0.99 | $26.00 | $25 | 26.3x | Card data |
| Double Colorless Energy 124/130 | Base Set 2 | $9.38 | $244.99 | $236 | 26.1x | PSA 9 vs PSA 10 |
| Lapras 10/62 | Fossil | $163.00 | $4,250.00 | $4,087 | 26.1x | PSA 9 vs PSA 10 |
| Tarountula 199/198 | SV01: Scarlet & Violet Base Set | $21.63 | $550.00 | $528 | 25.4x | PSA 9 vs PSA 10 |
| Dark Arbok 19/82 | Team Rocket | $20.00 | $500.00 | $480 | 25.0x | Card data |
| Omanyte 138/165 | SV: Scarlet & Violet 151 | $12.40 | $305.00 | $293 | 24.6x | PSA 9 vs PSA 10 |
| Mewtwo 150/165 | SV: Scarlet & Violet 151 | $18.00 | $434.14 | $416 | 24.1x | PSA 9 vs PSA 10 |
| Jynx ex 124/165 | SV: Scarlet & Violet 151 | $8.50 | $199.00 | $191 | 23.4x | PSA 9 vs PSA 10 |
| Wiglett 206/198 | SV01: Scarlet & Violet Base Set | $26.48 | $599.00 | $573 | 22.6x | PSA 9 vs PSA 10 |
| Feraligatr 5/111 | Neo Genesis | $361.57 | $8,067.00 | $7,705 | 22.3x | PSA 9 vs PSA 10 |
| Slowking 14/111 | Neo Genesis | $318.43 | $6,997.00 | $6,679 | 22.0x | PSA 9 vs PSA 10 |
| Snorlax 143/165 | SV: Scarlet & Violet 151 | $19.00 | $416.42 | $397 | 21.9x | PSA 9 vs PSA 10 |
| Armarouge 203/198 | SV01: Scarlet & Violet Base Set | $21.41 | $465.47 | $444 | 21.7x | PSA 9 vs PSA 10 |
| Snorlax 109/159 | SWSH: Crown Zenith | $20.50 | $440.00 | $420 | 21.5x | PSA 9 vs PSA 10 |
| Clefable 1/64 | Jungle | $147.72 | $3,000.00 | $2,852 | 20.3x | PSA 9 vs PSA 10 |
| Dark Dragonite 5/82 | Team Rocket | $522.01 | $10,550.00 | $10,028 | 20.2x | PSA 9 vs PSA 10 |
| Poliwrath 85/196 | SWSH11: Lost Origin | $2.25 | $45.00 | $43 | 20.0x | Card data |
| Vaporeon 12/64 | Jungle | $306.25 | $6,112.00 | $5,806 | 20.0x | PSA 9 vs PSA 10 |
| Wigglytuff 16/64 | Jungle | $152.19 | $3,000.00 | $2,848 | 19.7x | PSA 9 vs PSA 10 |
| Chansey 3/102 | Base Set | $374.12 | $7,360.72 | $6,987 | 19.7x | PSA 9 vs PSA 10 |
| Bombirdier 219/198 | SV01: Scarlet & Violet Base Set | $11.84 | $230.00 | $218 | 19.4x | PSA 9 vs PSA 10 |
| Dragonite 4/62 | Fossil | $703.11 | $13,550.00 | $12,847 | 19.3x | PSA 9 vs PSA 10 |
| Feraligatr 4/111 | Neo Genesis | $276.23 | $5,000.00 | $4,724 | 18.1x | PSA 9 vs PSA 10 |
| Zapdos 30/62 | Fossil | $35.00 | $628.91 | $594 | 18.0x | Card data |
| Wugtrio 122/91 | SV: Paldean Fates | $6.50 | $116.00 | $110 | 17.8x | PSA 9 vs PSA 10 |
| Dolliv 200/198 | SV01: Scarlet & Violet Base Set | $13.50 | $239.52 | $226 | 17.7x | PSA 9 vs PSA 10 |
| Meowth 80/130 | Base Set 2 | $22.50 | $399.00 | $377 | 17.7x | PSA 9 vs PSA 10 |
| Bellossom 3/111 | Neo Genesis | $70.26 | $1,237.00 | $1,167 | 17.6x | PSA 9 vs PSA 10 |
| Pokémon Center 85/102 | Base Set | $35.00 | $601.14 | $566 | 17.2x | PSA 9 vs PSA 10 |
| Magneton 9/130 | Base Set 2 | $146.50 | $2,499.99 | $2,353 | 17.1x | PSA 9 vs PSA 10 |
| Ditto 3/62 | Fossil | $137.48 | $2,325.00 | $2,188 | 16.9x | PSA 9 vs PSA 10 |
| Riolu 50/131 | SV: Prismatic Evolutions | $13.06 | $220.00 | $207 | 16.8x | Card data |
| Magikarp 129/165 | SV: Scarlet & Violet 151 | $13.40 | $224.50 | $211 | 16.8x | PSA 9 vs PSA 10 |
| Lickitung 108/165 | SV: Scarlet & Violet 151 | $10.91 | $182.50 | $172 | 16.7x | PSA 9 vs PSA 10 |
| Dark Vileplume 13/82 | Team Rocket | $101.99 | $1,650.25 | $1,548 | 16.2x | PSA 9 vs PSA 10 |
| Azumarill 2/111 | Neo Genesis | $158.50 | $2,550.00 | $2,392 | 16.1x | PSA 9 vs PSA 10 |
| Klawf 217/198 | SV01: Scarlet & Violet Base Set | $15.55 | $250.00 | $234 | 16.1x | PSA 9 vs PSA 10 |
| Dark Charizard 4/82 | Team Rocket | $892.24 | $13,855.01 | $12,963 | 15.5x | PSA 9 vs PSA 10 |
| Artazon 229/197 | SV03: Obsidian Flames | $2.65 | $41.00 | $38 | 15.5x | PSA 9 vs PSA 10 |
| Hitmonchan 7/102 | Base Set | $183.23 | $2,831.00 | $2,648 | 15.5x | PSA 9 vs PSA 10 |
Frequently asked questions
Is a PSA 9 worth more than a PSA 10?
No. A PSA 10 always sells for more than a PSA 9 of the same card. But the gap is sometimes smaller than collectors assume. On modern bulk holos with active graded supply, PSA 9 can trade at 50 to 70 percent of PSA 10, which means the grading economics rarely justify the risk. See Category 4 in the framework above for the modern-bulk math.
How much more does a PSA 10 cost than a PSA 9?
It depends on the card and the era. On vintage WOTC holos the PSA 10 premium often runs 10x to 30x the PSA 9 price. On vintage non-holos the gap typically lands between 3x and 8x. On modern chase cards with low PSA 10 populations the spread can blow past 20x. The table in Section D ranks the steepest spreads across all 23 sets currently in the Slablytics manifest.
Should I crack and regrade a PSA 9?
Only when two conditions are true at the same time. First, the PSA 10 to PSA 9 gap ratio has to be high enough to absorb the resub fee plus a real chance of grading PSA 9 again. As a rough floor, the gap should be at least 8x. Second, you need a specific reason to believe the original grade was conservative, like soft centering on a card that otherwise looks perfect under a loupe. Cracking a PSA 9 with no information edge is a coin flip on losing money.
Does BGS 9.5 equal PSA 10?
Not exactly. BGS 9.5 typically trades at 60 to 80 percent of the PSA 10 price on the same card. BGS 10 with all subgrades 9.5 or higher sometimes exceeds PSA 10, especially on vintage. CGC 10 trades at a discount to PSA 10. The March 2026 PSA scandal closed the historical gap between CGC and PSA somewhat, but PSA 10 remains the highest-priced gem mint label across most Pokemon TCG categories.
How do I check current PSA 9 vs PSA 10 prices for any card?
Slablytics ships a free per-card comparison page for every card in the manifest that has both PSA 9 and PSA 10 sales data. Every page shows the spread, dollar premium, gap ratio, and a three-outcome EV calculator. Prices come from PokeTrace sold-comp data. The full grade-tier table also lives on each set hub page.
Get the weekly grade-tier movers
The widest PSA and CGC price gaps, the cards worth grading, and what is actually moving. Free, every week, straight to your inbox.