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Is Charizard ex #199 Worth Grading? PSA 10 ROI (2026)

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Grade now, hold raw, or sell? Charizard ex #199 is one of those decisions where each path has a very different expected value. These calculations are crucial before committing to a grading submission. The Scarlet & Violet 151 set has been a phenomenon, and this particular Charizard ex is a prime example of a chase card that demands careful analysis. At $394.00 raw and $1,799 PSA 10, grading this card yields $962.23 in expected profit at today’s fees, a 162.3% ROI. That’s a compelling multiplier, but as always, the devil is in the details.

Table of Contents

• Current Market Data for Charizard ex

• The Break-Even Math

• Multi-Grader Comparison

• The Verdict

• Where to Buy

• Risks and Timing

• Pro Tip

• Frequently Asked Questions

Current Market Data for Charizard ex

The market for the Charizard ex #199 from the Scarlet & Violet 151 set is dynamic. Based on recent sales data from eBay and PriceCharting (as of April 2026), here’s a snapshot of its value across different potential grades. It’s important to note that graded population data is still growing for this set, especially for higher tiers like BGS 9.5 and CGC 10.

Data source: PriceCharting completed-sales median (April 2026). All rows computed from the same sample.

Sources: eBay Sold Data (90-day average), PriceCharting (as of April 2026).

As you can see, the jump from a raw card to a PSA 10 is substantial. The PSA 10 premium dwarfs every other grade in the sample: a CGC 10 sells at an 83% premium, a BGS 9.5 at 65%, a PSA 9 at just 9%, and an SGC 10 sells below raw. The primary focus for ROI calculations is the PSA 10, with the other graders compared below.

The Break-Even Math

Let’s break down the profitability of grading Charizard ex #199. This is where we get into the real numbers that inform whether a submission makes financial sense.

First, the net proceeds from selling a graded card: the sale price minus eBay’s selling fee and the cost of shipping the slab. eBay charges trading card sellers 13.25% of the sale up to $7,500 plus $0.40 per order, and shipping a slab is estimated at $5.

• eBay Selling Fee = ($1,799 × 0.1325) + $0.40 = $238.77

• Net Graded Proceeds = $1,799 - $238.77 - $5 = $1,555.23

Next, the grading fee. PSA sets the tier by declared value, which for a PSA 10 is its graded value. PSA’s Value tiers have been paused since June 2, 2026, and a $1,799 card is above Priority’s $1,500 cap, so the cheapest open tier is Express at $199 per card (declared value up to $2,500; fees checked October 12, 2026).

• Grading Fee = $199.00

Now, we calculate the expected profit. This is the net proceeds from a graded sale minus the initial raw card cost and the grading fee.

• Expected Profit = Net Graded Proceeds - (Raw Price + Grading Fee)

• Expected Profit = $1,555.23 - ($394.00 + $199.00)

• Expected Profit = $962.23

The Return on Investment (ROI) percentage is calculated as:

• ROI % = (Expected Profit / (Raw Price + Grading Fee)) × 100

• ROI % = ($962.23 / ($394.00 + $199.00)) × 100

• ROI % = ($962.23 / $593.00) × 100

• ROI % = 162.3%

This is a robust ROI, indicating that grading Charizard ex #199 into a PSA 10 is a highly profitable endeavor, provided you achieve that grade.

Now, let’s consider the break-even raw price. This is the maximum price you could pay for a raw card and still cover your costs (grading fee, shipping, selling fees) if you achieve a PSA 10.

• Break-Even Raw Price = Net Graded Proceeds - Grading Fee

• Break-Even Raw Price = $1,555.23 - $199.00

• Break-Even Raw Price = $1,356.23

This means theoretically, you could have bought this Charizard ex #199 for up to $1,356.23 and still broken even after grading it to a PSA 10 and selling it at the current median. Of course, the current raw price of $394.00 is far below this, making the current opportunity attractive.

Every figure above assumes the card comes back a PSA 10, and not every submission does. A PSA 9 sells for a $428 median, which nets $365.89 after eBay’s fee and shipping, less than the $394 raw cost before any grading fee is counted. A copy that misses the 10 loses money, so only cards that look like genuine Gem Mint candidates are worth sending.

Multi-Grader Comparison

The sample includes three other top grades for Charizard ex #199, and none comes close to a PSA 10. Each line below uses the grader’s cheapest open tier for the slab’s value (checked October 12, 2026), eBay’s 13.25% fee plus $0.40, and an estimated $5 shipping, from the same $394 raw price:

PSA has historically held the strongest brand recognition and market share in the grading world, and the numbers bear that out here: a PSA 10 returns more than four times the profit of a CGC 10. An SGC 10 sells below the raw price, so it loses money at any grading fee.

The safest bet for maximum ROI is to aim for a PSA 10. CGC is the strongest alternative, though its $20 Economy tier posts 90 working days. For a deeper dive into general comparisons, check out our articles on PSA vs BGS vs CGC for Umbreon ex #161: Which Pays Most in 2026? and PSA vs BGS vs CGC for Charizard ex #199: Which Pays Most in 2026?.

The Verdict

GRADE.

The numbers for Charizard ex #199 are simply too compelling to ignore if your goal is maximizing profit through grading. With a raw price of $394.00 and a PSA 10 median of $1,799, the potential profit is substantial. After accounting for selling fees, shipping, and grading costs, the expected profit is $962.23 per card at PSA’s $199 Express tier, a 162.3% ROI.

That figure assumes a PSA 10. A PSA 9 sells for $428, which nets $365.89 after eBay’s fee and shipping, less than the $394 raw cost before any grading fee, so a copy that misses the 10 loses money. The current market values favor grading copies that look like genuine Gem Mint candidates.

With a CGC 10 returning $204.33 and a BGS 9.5 returning $84.52, a fraction of the PSA 10 profit, focusing on PSA 10 is the most pragmatic strategy for collectors aiming for predictable, high returns. The established demand and multiplier for PSA 10 on iconic cards like Charizard ex #199 make it the current benchmark for profitable grading.

Where to Buy

If you’re looking to capitalize on this grading opportunity, securing raw copies of Charizard ex #199 is your first step. The market for these cards is active, and you can find them through several reputable channels.

For competitive pricing and a wide selection: Browse raw copies on TCGPlayer. This platform aggregates listings from numerous sellers, allowing for easy price comparisons.

Alternatively, eBay also provides a robust marketplace. You can often find great deals there, especially if you’re patient and monitor auctions. Always check seller reviews and listing details carefully. If you’ve already graded some and are looking to buy graded copies to compare, Check active PSA 10 listings on eBay can give you a direct sense of the market’s demand for slabbed cards.

Risks and Timing

While the numbers for grading Charizard ex #199 are excellent, it’s crucial to be aware of the inherent risks.

• Grading Turnaround Risk: The time it takes for cards to be graded can range from weeks to months. During this period, market conditions can shift. A dip in the PSA 10 price of Charizard ex #199 could reduce your profit margins. It’s important to submit cards when the market feels strong and the ROI is clear.

• Condition Risk: Not every raw card will receive a PSA 10. Even minor flaws like print lines, edge wear (whitening), or poor centering can result in a lower grade, significantly impacting your return. Thoroughly inspecting your cards for potential grading flaws is paramount. For tips on what to look for, our Pokemon Card Centering Guide: Master Grading for a 10 is a great resource.

• Alternative Grading Companies: As mentioned, while PSA is dominant, BGS and CGC are also viable options. If you believe you can consistently achieve high grades with them and see strong demand, they could be alternatives. However, for Charizard ex #199, PSA 10 remains the benchmark for this ROI analysis.

• When to Wait vs Submit: With a card like Charizard ex #199, the current ROI is so strong that submitting now is highly recommended. If the raw price were much higher, or the PSA 10 premium lower, waiting for the market to stabilize or for more graded pop data might be prudent.

Pro Tip

When submitting multiple copies of a valuable card like Charizard ex #199, consider using a third-party grading submission service. These services often offer lower per-card fees for bulk submissions, have established relationships with grading companies, and can help streamline the process, saving you time and potentially money. Ensure you use Best Pokémon Card Grading Supplies: Ace Your Submission to protect your cards during transit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it worth grading Charizard ex #199 from Scarlet & Violet 151?

Yes, for a copy with genuine PSA 10 potential. A raw copy costs around $394.00, while a PSA 10 median is $1,799. That yields an expected profit of $962.23 per card after eBay’s 13.25% fee plus $0.40, an estimated $5 shipping, and PSA’s $199 Express grading fee (the cheapest open tier for a card valued over $1,500 and up to $2,500), a 162.3% ROI.

How much profit can I expect from a PSA 10 Charizard ex #199?

You can expect an estimated profit of $962.23 for a Charizard ex #199 graded PSA 10, assuming a raw purchase price of $394.00 and selling the graded card at the current PSA 10 median of $1,799. This figure accounts for PSA’s $199 Express grading fee, eBay’s 13.25% fee plus $0.40, and an estimated $5 shipping.

What is the break-even price for grading Charizard ex #199?

The break-even raw price for grading Charizard ex #199 into a PSA 10 is $1,356.23. This means you could theoretically pay up to this amount for a raw card, submit it for grading, and still recoup your costs if it achieves a PSA 10 grade and sells at the current median value.

Should I grade Charizard ex #199 with PSA, BGS, or CGC?

PSA 10 offers by far the strongest ROI for Charizard ex #199: $962.23 profit (162.3%), against $204.33 (49.4%) for a CGC 10 at $719 and $84.52 (17.8%) for a BGS 9.5 at $650, while an SGC 10 at $300 sells below raw. Aiming for a PSA 10 is the most strategic approach for maximizing profit based on available information.

What are the risks of grading Charizard ex #199?

The primary risks include the grading turnaround time, which exposes the submission to market fluctuations; condition risk, where a card may not achieve a PSA 10 grade due to microscopic flaws; and potential shifts in demand for graded Pokémon cards. Careful inspection of raw cards is crucial to mitigate condition risk.

When is the best time to submit Charizard ex #199 for grading?

The best time to submit Charizard ex #199 for grading is now, given its current strong market performance and favorable ROI. The raw price is significantly below the break-even point for a PSA 10, making it a highly opportune moment for collectors looking to profit from grading.

Ready to dive deeper into the world of Pokémon card collecting and investing? Explore our comprehensive Pokemon Cards pillar page for more guides, market analysis, and collector insights. If you’re considering grading any of your cards, be sure to check out our dedicated Card Grading hub for all the information you need to make informed decisions.