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psa vs bgs vs cgc Charizard ex SIR

PSA vs BGS vs CGC for Charizard ex SIR #223: Which Pays Most in 2026?

Published 2026-04-23 · Updated 2026-10-12 · by Jason Trogdon
Pokemon Cards 12 min read
RAW $106PSA 10 $735MULTIPLIER 6.9×

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For Charizard ex #223, PSA provides the highest potential profit in April 2026. PSA 10s have a median sold price of $735.00, leading to an expected ROI of 280.4%. CGC 10s show a median price of $290.00 and a 95.0% ROI, while BGS 9.5s sell for $237.50, resulting in a 7.8% ROI.

The Price Data

Grader Top Grade Median Sold Transactions Premium vs Raw
PSA 10 $735.00 26 591.8%
BGS 9.5 $237.50 7 123.6%
CGC 10 $290.00 23 173.1%

Data source: eBay 90-day sold comps, April 2026

As you can see, the data for Charizard ex #223 paints a clear picture in early 2026. PSA is the undisputed leader when it comes to raw price appreciation, with its PSA 10 grade achieving a remarkable 591.8% premium over the raw median of $106.21. This translates to a staggering $735.00 median sold price for a perfect 10. While BGS 9.5s show a solid premium of 123.6% over raw, landing at $237.50, they are significantly outpaced by both PSA and CGC in terms of dollar value for this specific card. CGC 10s, meanwhile, offer a healthy 173.1% premium, achieving a median sale of $290.00. The transaction counts are also interesting, with PSA leading at 26 sales, CGC close behind with 23, and BGS showing a much smaller sample size of 7. This suggests that while PSA may have the highest ceiling, CGC is seeing substantial activity for Charizard ex #223 at competitive prices.

Cost & Turnaround Comparison

Grader Value Used Cheapest Open Tier Fee Per Card Max Declared Value Posted Turnaround
PSA $735 (PSA 10) Standard $59.99 $1,000 90-100 business days
BGS $237.50 (BGS 9.5) Express (subgrades included) $79.95 Not published 15 business days
CGC $290 (CGC 10) Economy $20 $1,000 90 working days

Note: Fees and turnarounds from each grader’s own site, checked October 12, 2026. PSA’s Value tiers are paused, and Beckett’s Base and Standard tiers are paused, leaving Express.

When considering which grader to use for Charizard ex #223, the cost and speed are just as important as the potential payout. A $735 PSA 10 falls under the $1,000 cap of PSA’s Standard tier at $59.99, PSA’s cheapest open tier now that its Value tiers are paused, with a posted turnaround of 90-100 business days. Beckett’s only open tier, Express, costs $79.95 with subgrades included and posts the fastest turnaround of the three at 15 business days. A major draw for BGS is that detailed subgrade reporting. CGC’s Economy tier is the cheapest at $20 per card for cards up to $1,000, but posts 90 working days; its Standard tier ($55, up to $3,000) cuts that to 10 working days. For Charizard ex #223, CGC’s low Economy fee is very appealing, especially if you’re grading a batch of cards and can wait.

Grading calculator
Fees checked Oct 12, 2026Prices as of Apr 23, 2026
Grader
Covers cards up to $1,000. Turnaround 90-100 business days.
$
Raw median: $106
$
Median: $735
$
Estimate
Profit
$466.01
Profit after all costs
280.4%
Return on cost
$572.22
Most you can pay raw
Where the sale price goes
Raw cost $106.21Grading fee $59.99eBay fee $97.79Shipping $5.00Profit $466.01
No lower-grade sales in our data for this card, so the miss case can't be priced.
Each grader at its top grade
GradeSold medianTier & feeTurnaroundProfitROI
PSA 10$735Standard $59.9990-100 business days$466.01280.4%
CGC 10$290Economy $20.0090 working days$119.9695.0%
BGS 9.5$238Express $79.9515 business days$14.477.8%

Fees from each grader's own site, checked Oct 12, 2026. PSA's Value tiers are paused. Beckett is taking Express submissions only. eBay trading-card fee: 13.25% up to $7,500, 2.35% above, plus $0.40 per order. Shipping is an estimate. Prices are recent sold medians. The tier is set by the card's value; PSA publishes no fee above $10,000.

The ROI Math for Each Grader

PSA

To calculate the potential ROI for sending Charizard ex #223 to PSA for a 10 grade, we’ll factor in the raw cost, the grading fee, and associated selling expenses.

BGS

For BGS, we’ll use their 9.5 grade as it’s the closest equivalent to a PSA 10 for most collectors and the median data point provided.

CGC

Now let’s look at CGC for their 10 grade.

Based purely on the ROI calculation for Charizard ex #223 at each grader’s cheapest open tier, PSA is the clear winner with an expected ROI of 280.4% ($466.01 profit). While the grading fee is higher for a PSA 10, the potential return is substantially greater. CGC offers a respectable 95.0% ROI ($119.96), making it a viable second choice. BGS, at just 7.8% ($14.47) after Beckett’s $79.95 Express fee, appears to be the least profitable option for this specific card in its current market.

Which Grader Should You Choose for THIS Card?

For Charizard ex #223 in April 2026, PSA is the hands-down winner if your primary goal is maximizing profit. The numbers show a consistent trend: a PSA 10 grade for this card commands a significant premium over raw value, far exceeding the premiums seen for BGS 9.5 or CGC 10. The ROI analysis backs this up unequivocally. If you have a Charizard ex #223 that you believe has a strong shot at a PSA 10, sending it to PSA is your best bet for a substantial return.

However, there are edge cases where other graders might make sense. If you’re less concerned about chasing the absolute highest profit and more interested in a fast turnaround and a quality slab, CGC is a strong contender. CGC’s Standard tier ($55) posts 10 working days, so you can get your Charizard ex #223 slabbed and ready for sale or personal enjoyment much faster, at a higher fee than the $20 Economy tier used in the math above. CGC’s 10 grade is also highly respected and has a solid market presence, as evidenced by the transaction data.

BGS, while showing the lowest ROI for this card, still has its niche. If your Charizard ex #223 possesses exceptional centering, corners, edges, and surface qualities that would earn it BGS subgrades of 9.5 or higher across the board, potentially leading to a coveted Black Label 10 (though exceedingly rare), it could command a premium that outstrips standard slab values. However, given the current median data, this is a high-risk, high-reward play that deviates from the straightforward profit-maximization strategy. For most collectors aiming for predictable gains on Charizard ex #223, PSA remains the top choice.

When to Use Each Grader in General

While this article focuses on Charizard ex #223, it is useful to consider the general strengths of each major grading company in the collecting market.

Where to Source This Card

If you’re looking to acquire raw copies of Charizard ex #223 to send for grading, or perhaps to pick up already slabbed versions, the secondary market is your go-to. eBay and TCGPlayer are the two titans for finding these cards.

When searching for raw copies, TCGPlayer is an excellent resource. They aggregate listings from numerous reputable dealers, often providing competitive pricing and a good overview of the current market value for ungraded cards. It’s crucial to pay attention to the descriptions and seller ratings to ensure you’re getting a card that accurately represents its condition.

For those looking for graded examples, or even raw cards, eBay remains a powerhouse. You can find a vast array of listings for Charizard ex #223, from raw to every major grading tier. Setting up saved searches and keeping an eye on auction endings can help you snag deals. Always scrutinize photos, understand the grading scale if buying graded, and factor in shipping costs when comparing prices.

Check active PSA-graded listings on eBay Browse raw copies on TCGPlayer

Pro Tip: Always remember that grading is an investment. The fee you pay, plus the cost of the card and selling fees, needs to be recouped by the sale price of the graded card. For Charizard ex #223, aiming for a PSA 10 offers the highest potential return, but a near-mint raw card with strong centering is crucial for achieving that grade.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the current market value for Charizard ex #223?

As of April 2026, the raw median price for Charizard ex #223 is approximately $106.21. This fluctuates, but provides a good baseline. Graded copies see significantly higher values: PSA 10s are around $735.00, CGC 10s fetch about $290.00, and BGS 9.5s are valued at roughly $237.50.

Should I send my Charizard ex #223 to PSA or CGC for grading?

For maximizing profit on Charizard ex #223, PSA is generally the better choice, showing a much higher potential ROI of 280.4% ($466.01 profit at PSA’s $59.99 Standard tier) compared to CGC’s 95.0% ($119.96 at CGC’s $20 Economy tier). If speed matters more, CGC’s Standard tier posts 10 working days at $55 per card, against 90-100 business days for PSA Standard, and CGC 10s hold a strong resale value.

How much does it cost to grade Charizard ex #223?

The cost varies by grader and service tier. PSA’s Value tiers have been paused since June 2, 2026, so a $735 PSA 10 falls in PSA’s Standard tier at $59.99 (cards up to $1,000). CGC’s Economy tier is $20 per card (cards up to $1,000), and Beckett’s only open tier, Express, is $79.95 per card. Fees were checked October 12, 2026. Selling adds eBay’s 13.25% trading card fee plus $0.40 per order and shipping.

What is the “premium vs raw” for Charizard ex #223?

The premium versus raw price indicates how much more a graded card sells for compared to its ungraded counterpart. For Charizard ex #223, a PSA 10 commands a premium of about 591.8% over the raw median. CGC 10s show a premium of around 173.1%, while BGS 9.5s offer a premium of about 123.6%.

How do subgrades affect the value of Charizard ex #223?

Subgrades, included with BGS grading, detail the card’s condition in centering, edges, corners, and surface. For Charizard ex #223, exceptional subgrades (e.g., all 9.5s for BGS) can significantly increase its value beyond the standard median for a BGS 9.5, potentially approaching or even exceeding PSA 10 prices if the overall grade is perfect.

Is Charizard ex #223 a good investment card to grade?

Yes, Charizard ex #223 from Obsidian Flames is currently a strong candidate for grading, particularly for a PSA 10, due to its high resale premium over the raw card. The estimated ROI for a PSA 10 is very attractive, making it a worthwhile venture for collectors looking to capitalize on market demand.

For collectors looking to maximize their return on investment for Pokémon cards, understanding the nuances of each grading service is crucial. Whether you’re focused on the absolute highest resale ceiling with PSA, the detailed subgrade analysis of BGS, or the speed and value of CGC, there’s a strategic approach for every card. If you’re interested in diving deeper into card grading and understanding its impact on your collection’s value, be sure to explore our comprehensive guide on card grading and our extensive collection of articles on Pokemon Cards.

J

About Jason

Jason has been collecting cards since 1999 and retro video games since 2008. Based in the Southeast US. What The Slab cites real eBay sold comps, PriceCharting data, and PSA pop reports — no guesswork. Read more →

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