PSA vs BGS vs CGC for Squirtle #148 Illustration Rare Pokemon Stellar Crown: Which Pays Most in 2026?
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I pulled every Squirtle #148 sold listing from the last 90 days — raw, PSA 9, PSA 10, BGS, CGC — and the gap between grades tells you exactly what to do. As a collector who’s spent years watching the market, I know how crucial understanding grader premiums is. It’s not just about getting a number; it’s about maximizing your investment, whether you’re buying to hold or selling a recent pull. The market for illustration rare Pokémon cards, especially those from popular modern sets like Stellar Crown, can be incredibly dynamic. For a card like Squirtle #148, known for its engaging artwork and appeal to a broad range of collectors, understanding the subtle differences in what PSA, BGS, and CGC offer can mean the difference between a modest profit and a significant return. This analysis dives deep into the actual sales data from early 2026 to give you the clearest picture. PSA 10 of Squirtle #148 Illustration Rare Pokemon Stellar Crown trades at $460.00; BGS 9.5 at $134.74; CGC 10 at $195.00. Here’s which one to send.
Table of Contents
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The Price Data
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Cost & Turnaround Comparison
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The ROI Math for Each Grader
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Which Grader Should You Choose for THIS Card?
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When to Use Each Grader in General
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Where to Source This Card
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Frequently Asked Questions
The Price Data
When assessing the market for a card like Squirtle #148 Illustration Rare Pokemon Stellar Crown, the raw median price is our baseline. This is what you can expect to pay for a card that hasn’t been professionally graded, essentially the cost of entry before any grading fees or potential market appreciation. It’s essential to establish this floor before we look at how different grading companies impact its value. I’ve crunched the numbers from the last 90 days of eBay sold listings, and the results for Squirtle #148 are quite telling. The premium commanded by a top-tier grade from a respected company can be substantial, but the specifics vary significantly between graders.
Here’s how Squirtle #148 stacks up across the major grading services based on recent sales data:
| Grader | Top Grade | Median Sold | Transactions | Premium vs Raw |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 10 | $460.00 | 25 | 305.5% |
| BGS | 9.5 | $134.74 | 6 | 18.8% |
| CGC | 10 | $195.00 | 23 | 71.9% |
Data source: eBay 90-day sold comps, May 2026
As you can see, the PSA 10 grade for Squirtle #148 Illustration Rare Pokemon Stellar Crown absolutely dominates the market, commanding a staggering 305.5% premium over the raw median of $113.42. This means a PSA 10 is selling for an average of $460.00, while the raw card is valued at just $113.42. This is a massive difference and clearly indicates where collectors are placing their highest value. CGC 10 also offers a healthy premium, sitting at 71.9% above raw, translating to a median sale of $195.00. This positions CGC as a solid, albeit distant, second for this particular card.
The performance of BGS 9.5 is, frankly, surprising given the raw median. A BGS 9.5 for Squirtle #148 is only fetching $134.74, a mere 18.8% premium over the raw price. This is an important data point: for this specific card, BGS doesn’t appear to be the optimal choice if your primary goal is maximizing profit based on current market trends. The low transaction count for BGS 9.5 also suggests less collector demand in this tier for this particular Pokémon. It’s crucial to remember that while these numbers are for the current market, trends can shift, but for now, the data strongly favors PSA for Squirtle #148.
Cost & Turnaround Comparison
Beyond the raw sales data, the practicalities of grading play a significant role in a collector’s decision. The cost of grading, combined with the expected turnaround time, can impact your overall profit and how quickly you can get a card back into the market or into your collection. For a card like Squirtle #148 Illustration Rare Pokemon Stellar Crown, especially if you’re grading multiple copies, understanding these factors is key to making an informed choice. I’m looking at the standard, non-express services here to get a true comparison of typical grading experiences.
Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect to pay and how long it might take for each of the major grading services in mid-2026:
| Grader | Value Tier | Regular Tier | Turnaround | Subgrades? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | $24.99 (Base) | $49.99 (Standard) | 30-45 business days | No |
| BGS | $25+ (Varies by declared value) | $50+ (Varies by declared value) | 40-60 business days | Yes |
| CGC | $15-$30 (Based on value) | $25-$30 (Based on value) | 10-20 business days | Yes |
Note: Turnaround times are estimates and can fluctuate based on submission volume.
Let’s break this down for Squirtle #148, assuming a raw card value of around $113.42, placing it in the “Standard” or equivalent tier for PSA and CGC, and a mid-tier declared value for BGS. PSA’s standard service at $49.99 offers a decent turnaround time of 30-45 business days. BGS, on the other hand, has more variable pricing based on declared value, but its regular tier can easily exceed $50, with a slightly longer turnaround of 40-60 business days. Crucially, BGS offers subgrades, which can be a draw for some collectors, even if it doesn’t seem to be reflected in the Squirtle #148 market data.
CGC shines in terms of speed and often competitive pricing, especially for lower-value or bulk submissions. Their regular tier pricing can be as low as $25, with an impressively fast turnaround of 10-20 business days. CGC also provides subgrades, making it an attractive option for collectors who value that level of detail. When considering the total cost and time, CGC presents a compelling case for efficiency, even if PSA currently commands a higher resale premium for this specific card. The key takeaway here is that if speed and cost are paramount, CGC is a strong contender. If maximizing resale value for Squirtle #148 is the goal, the extra wait and cost for PSA might still be worth it.
The ROI Math for Each Grader
Now, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of profitability. To truly understand which grading service offers the best return on investment (ROI) for Squirtle #148 Illustration Rare Pokemon Stellar Crown, we need to factor in the cost of the raw card, the grading fee, potential shipping costs, and eBay’s 13% selling fee. This is where the market data truly comes to life, showing us which path leads to the most money in our pockets. I’m assuming a standard grading fee of $49.99 for PSA, $50 for BGS (mid-tier declared value), and $25 for CGC (value tier). For shipping, I’ll factor in a combined $10 for sending the card in and $5 for the buyer’s shipping on eBay.
PSA 10
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Raw Cost + Grading Fee + Fees: $113.42 (raw) + $49.99 (PSA grading) + $10 (shipping to PSA) + $64.99 (13% eBay fee on $460 sale) + $5 (shipping to buyer) = $243.40
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Net Expected Profit: $460.00 (PSA 10 median) - $243.40 (Total Costs) = $216.60
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Return on Investment (ROI): ($216.60 profit / $243.40 total cost) * 100% = 89.0%
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Break-even Raw: (Grading Fee + Shipping + eBay Fees) / (1 - eBay Fee %) = ($49.99 + $10 + $5) / (1 - 0.13) = $64.99 / 0.87 = $74.70 (This is the raw price the card needs to be at to break even on a PSA 10 sale after costs).
BGS 9.5
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Raw Cost + Grading Fee + Fees: $113.42 (raw) + $50.00 (BGS grading) + $10 (shipping to BGS) + $17.54 (13% eBay fee on $134.74 sale) + $5 (shipping to buyer) = $195.96
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Net Expected Profit: $134.74 (BGS 9.5 median) - $195.96 (Total Costs) = -$61.22
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Return on Investment (ROI): (-$61.22 profit / $195.96 total cost) * 100% = -31.2%
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Break-even Raw: ($50.00 + $10 + $5) / (1 - 0.13) = $65.00 / 0.87 = $74.71 (This is the raw price the card needs to be at to break even on a BGS 9.5 sale after costs).
CGC 10
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Raw Cost + Grading Fee + Fees: $113.42 (raw) + $25.00 (CGC grading) + $10 (shipping to CGC) + $25.35 (13% eBay fee on $195.00 sale) + $5 (shipping to buyer) = $178.77
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Net Expected Profit: $195.00 (CGC 10 median) - $178.77 (Total Costs) = $16.23
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Return on Investment (ROI): ($16.23 profit / $178.77 total cost) * 100% = 9.1%
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Break-even Raw: ($25.00 + $10 + $5) / (1 - 0.13) = $40.00 / 0.87 = $45.98 (This is the raw price the card needs to be at to break even on a CGC 10 sale after costs).
Based purely on these ROI calculations for Squirtle #148, PSA 10 is the undeniable winner. It not only offers the highest net profit and ROI but also the lowest break-even point among the positive performers. BGS 9.5, by these numbers, is not profitable at current median prices and raw card costs, showing a negative ROI. CGC 10 is profitable but with a significantly smaller margin and a much higher break-even raw price compared to PSA. The substantial premium for a PSA 10 grade for this card makes the investment in grading overwhelmingly favorable.
Which Grader Should You Choose for THIS Card?
For the Squirtle #148 Illustration Rare Pokemon Stellar Crown, the data is clear: you should choose PSA. The market is overwhelmingly rewarding PSA 10 grades for this specific card, as evidenced by the massive price premium and the positive ROI calculations. While CGC offers a good value proposition with faster turnaround and lower fees, its current market valuation for Squirtle #148 simply doesn’t match PSA’s. Sending this card to PSA for grading, with the aim of achieving a PSA 10, is the most financially sound strategy if your goal is to maximize profit. The number of transactions for PSA 10s (25) compared to BGS 9.5 (6) and even CGC 10 (23) further supports this, indicating higher market liquidity and demand for PSA’s top grade on this particular card.
However, there are edge cases where another grader might make sense. If you pulled a truly flawless Squirtle #148 with immaculate centering and no hint of surface flaws, and you were aiming for a BGS 9.5 with the hope of achieving a Black Label (though statistically rare), you might consider BGS. But given the current market data for this card, the risk associated with BGS’s lower premium is substantial. If you’re primarily interested in quick turnaround and getting a slabbed card to display or trade within your local game store community, CGC’s speed and decent premium could be a consideration. But for pure investment and resale value in the broader market, PSA is the definitive choice for Squirtle #148 Illustration Rare Pokemon Stellar Crown.
When to Use Each Grader in General
While our focus has been on Squirtle #148, understanding the general strengths of each grading company is vital for any collector navigating the hobby. Each grader has carved out its niche and appeals to different segments of the collecting world, and these general trends can sometimes override card-specific market anomalies.
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PSA: For modern, mass-market cards where the highest possible grade is paramount for resale value, PSA remains the go-to. Its brand recognition is unmatched, and a PSA 10 often commands the highest resale ceiling, particularly for popular Pokémon, Magic: The Gathering, and mainstream sports cards. If you’re aiming for the absolute peak of market value on a widely desired card, PSA is usually the primary consideration.
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BGS: Beckett Grading Services (BGS) is often favored by collectors who appreciate the detailed subgrades they provide. While they can achieve incredibly high premiums for their Pristine 10s and Black Labels, their standard 9.5 grade doesn’t always command the same market excitement as a PSA 10, as we saw with Squirtle #148. BGS is strong in vintage sports cards and for collectors who value the granular detail of subgrades and the prestige of their highest tiers.
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CGC: CGC has made significant inroads, particularly in the Pokémon and TCG space, by offering faster turnaround times and competitive pricing, especially for bulk submissions. They also provide subgrades. Their reputation has grown substantially, and while they might not always reach PSA’s peak premiums for the absolute top tier, their 10 grade is highly respected and often offers a great balance of value, speed, and market acceptance for a wide range of TCGs.
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SGC: Known for its distinctive tuxedo-style label, SGC has traditionally been a strong player in vintage sports cards. They offer a classic aesthetic and have a dedicated following, especially among collectors who appreciate the older, more established grading companies. Their grading tiers are well-defined, and they provide a solid option for those who value tradition and a specific visual appeal for their graded cards.
Where to Source This Card
If you’re looking to add Squirtle #148 Illustration Rare Pokemon Stellar Crown to your collection or to grade, finding the right source is crucial. The raw card market can vary, and purchasing graded cards often requires careful comparison shopping.
For those looking to acquire raw copies to potentially send for grading or to complete a set, online marketplaces are your best bet. TCGPlayer is a fantastic resource for organized TCGs, offering a wide selection from numerous sellers, which can help you find competitive pricing and compare condition descriptions.
Browse raw copies on TCGPlayer
If you’re specifically interested in purchasing graded copies, especially PSA 10s which command the highest premiums for Squirtle #148, eBay remains the dominant platform. You can find active auctions and “Buy It Now” listings from a vast array of sellers. It’s always wise to check sold listings to gauge fair market value and examine seller reviews to ensure a smooth transaction.
Check active PSA-graded listings on eBay
Pro Tip: When buying raw cards for grading, pay close attention to the centering and edge conditions. Even minor imperfections like a speck of whitening on an edge or slightly off-center corners can prevent a card from achieving a perfect grade, significantly impacting its potential resale value. Always assume a card might not gem up unless you can inspect it in person or the seller provides exceptionally clear, high-resolution photos of all four sides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the raw median price for Squirtle #148 Illustration Rare Pokemon Stellar Crown?
The raw median sold price for Squirtle #148 Illustration Rare Pokemon Stellar Crown over the last 90 days was $113.42. This is the benchmark against which graded card premiums are measured in our analysis.
How much does it cost to grade Squirtle #148 with PSA?
A standard grading submission for Squirtle #148 with PSA is estimated at $49.99 for their regular tier service. This cost, combined with shipping and potential eBay fees, contributes to the overall profitability calculations.
Is grading Squirtle #148 with CGC profitable in 2026?
Yes, grading Squirtle #148 with CGC and achieving a CGC 10 is profitable, but with a significantly lower margin than PSA. The net expected profit is approximately $16.23, with a break-even raw price of $45.98, indicating a good buffer for the card’s current raw value.
Which grade of Squirtle #148 Illustration Rare Pokemon Stellar Crown yields the highest ROI?
A PSA 10 grade of Squirtle #148 Illustration Rare Pokemon Stellar Crown yields the highest ROI, calculated at 89.0% based on current market data. This significantly outperforms BGS 9.5 and CGC 10 in terms of return on investment for this specific card.
Should I submit my Squirtle #148 to BGS?
Based on current 2026 market data and the ROI calculations, submitting your Squirtle #148 Illustration Rare Pokemon Stellar Crown to BGS for a 9.5 grade is not recommended if your goal is profit. The BGS 9.5 median sale price of $134.74 results in a negative ROI when factoring in grading and selling costs.
What are the key differences between PSA and CGC for this card?
The key differences for Squirtle #148 lie in market premium and turnaround time. PSA 10s command a much higher resale price ($460.00 median) and offer a higher ROI, while CGC offers faster grading (10-20 business days) at a lower cost and still achieves a respectable $195.00 median for a CGC 10.
This deep dive into the Squirtle #148 Illustration Rare Pokemon Stellar Crown market reveals a clear hierarchy among grading services. Understanding these nuances is critical for making informed decisions that maximize your collection’s value. For more insights into card grading and market trends, explore our comprehensive guides.
Ready to take your card grading strategy to the next level? Check out our essential guide on card grading for a deeper understanding of the process, or dive into the specifics of the Pokemon Cards market to stay ahead of the curve.