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Image sourced from eBay listings

Machamp V #172 Pokemon Astral Radiance: Should You Grade It? PSA 10 ROI 2026

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Grading Machamp V #172 from Astral Radiance is recommended. A PSA 10 grade, selling at a $400.00 median, offers a $113.48 expected profit and a 49.7% ROI from a $168.13 raw card as of October 2026.

• Current Market Data for Machamp V

• The Break-Even Math

• Multi-Grader Comparison

• The Verdict

• Where to Buy

• Risks and Timing

• Frequently Asked Questions

Current Market Data for Machamp V

Here’s a snapshot of what Machamp V #172 is trading for across different grading tiers, based on recent eBay sold data and PriceCharting figures. These numbers reflect active market conditions as of early October 2026.

Sources: eBay sold data + PriceCharting (October 2026)

As you can see, the jump from raw to PSA 10 is significant, representing over a 138% premium. While PSA 9, BGS 9.5, and CGC 10 offer some upside, they don’t come close to the return of a perfect PSA 10 grade for Machamp V #172. This gap is where our profit potential lies.

The Break-Even Math

Let’s break down the actual costs and potential returns to see what it takes to make a profit grading Machamp V #172. The goal is to understand the minimum requirement for a positive ROI.

First, we calculate the net proceeds from selling a graded card. We’ll assume a PSA 10 sale at the current median of $400.00, with eBay’s 13.25% trading-card selling fee plus its $0.40 per-order fee and an estimated $5 shipping.

• eBay selling fee = $400.00 × 13.25% + $0.40 = $53.40

• Net graded proceeds = $400.00 - $53.40 - $5.00 = $341.60

Next, consider the grading fee. PSA’s Value tiers are paused (checked October 12, 2026), so the cheapest open PSA tier for a card that sells for $400.00 is Standard at $59.99 per card (cards up to $1,000).

• Grading fee: $59.99 (PSA Standard)

Now, we can calculate the expected profit for a card that successfully grades as a PSA 10:

• Expected profit = Net graded proceeds - (raw cost + grading fee)

• Expected profit = $341.60 - ($168.13 + $59.99)

• Expected profit = $341.60 - $228.12 = $113.48

• ROI = $113.48 / $228.12 = 49.7%

This calculation is based on receiving a PSA 10, and not every raw card will achieve this grade. A copy that comes back PSA 9 and sells at the $200.00 median nets $168.10 after eBay fees and shipping, so after the $168.13 raw cost and $59.99 grading fee it loses $60.02.

• Break-even raw price: This is the raw price at which your net graded proceeds equal your total costs.

• Break-even raw price = Net graded proceeds - Grading fee

• Break-even raw price = $341.60 - $59.99 = $281.61

This means if you can acquire Machamp V #172 for $281.61 or less, and it grades PSA 10, you will break even. Given the current raw price of $168.13, there is room for profit on a PSA 10, while a PSA 9 result loses money.

Multi-Grader Comparison

When looking at Machamp V #172, the data clearly shows a strong preference for PSA 10. Let’s compare the median prices for comparable grades at other major grading companies:

• PSA 10 Median: $400.00

• BGS 9.5 Median: $212.00

• CGC 10 Median: $199.99

A PSA 10 grade commands a premium of $188.00 over a BGS 9.5 ($400 vs $212). The premium over a CGC 10 is $200.01 ($400 vs $199.99). The Pokémon market, especially for modern cards such as Machamp V #172, demonstrates a strong preference for PSA for higher returns. The financial impact of a PSA 10 is not observed with comparable grades from BGS or CGC. For this card, targeting a PSA 10 is crucial for maximizing grading profitability. The market does not provide the same financial benefit for top grades from other companies.

The Verdict

GRADE.

Data for Machamp V #172 from Astral Radiance suggests grading, with a focus on achieving a PSA 10. The current raw card price is $168.13, and the PSA 10 median is $400.00. This difference allows for a profit margin after accounting for grading fees and potential selling costs. The return on investment (ROI) for a PSA 10 is 49.7%, which reflects the market’s valuation of this specific grade of Machamp V #172.

While other grading tiers like PSA 9, BGS 9.5, and CGC 10 show some appreciation over raw, they pale in comparison to the financial reward of a PSA 10. The substantial premium commanded by PSA 10s makes it the clear target grade for anyone looking to maximize their return on investment with this card. As long as the market for graded Pokémon cards remains healthy, and especially if the pop count for PSA 10 Machamp V #172 doesn’t explode, submitting raw copies is a sound strategy.

Where to Buy

If you’re looking to acquire Machamp V #172 for grading or to add to your collection, there are several excellent places to start. For raw copies, TCGPlayer often has a wide selection of individual cards listed by various sellers. This allows you to compare prices and potentially find good deals on bulk purchases, which can be crucial for maximizing your ROI on grading.

For graded copies, particularly if you’re aiming for a PSA 10 to compare against raw prices or add to a graded collection, eBay is your best bet. You can find active listings and filter by sold items to see what collectors are actually paying. Keep an eye on auction prices, as they can sometimes offer a better value than fixed-price listings.

Browse raw copies on TCGPlayer Check active PSA 10 listings on eBay

Risks and Timing

While the numbers for Machamp V #172 look promising, it’s crucial to acknowledge the inherent risks in card grading. The most significant is condition risk: not every raw card will achieve a PSA 10. Factors like print defects, edge wear, or poor centering can result in lower grades, significantly impacting your profit margin. Always inspect your raw cards carefully, paying attention to centering and edge conditions. A guide like Pokemon Card Centering Guide for Grading (2026) can be invaluable here.

Another risk is grading turnaround time. The market for Pokémon cards can be volatile. While your Machamp V #172 is being graded, market prices for both raw and graded copies could fluctuate. If the PSA 10 price drops significantly during the grading period, your expected profit could shrink or even disappear. This is why it’s often better to submit when you believe the market is stable or trending upward. While BGS and CGC offer faster turnaround times, their market premiums for top grades on Pokémon cards are generally lower than PSA’s. If speed is your absolute priority, you might consider them, but for maximum profit potential on this card, PSA remains the go-to.

Pro Tip: Always factor in potential grading fee increases and selling platform fees when calculating your break-even point. These seemingly small costs can add up and erode your profit margin, especially with bulk submissions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Machamp V #172 from Astral Radiance worth grading in 2026?

Yes, Machamp V #172 from Astral Radiance is generally worth grading in 2026, provided you are targeting a PSA 10 grade. With a raw price of $168.13 and a PSA 10 median of $400.00, the profit margin is substantial, offering an estimated $113.48 profit per PSA 10.

What is the break-even point for grading Machamp V #172 to PSA 10?

The break-even point for grading Machamp V #172 to a PSA 10, assuming PSA’s $59.99 Standard grading fee and $341.60 net proceeds after eBay fees and shipping, is a raw card cost of $281.61. Since the current raw price is $168.13, there is a significant buffer for profit even before considering the cost of cards that may not achieve a PSA 10.

Should I submit Machamp V #172 to PSA, BGS, or CGC?

For Machamp V #172, submitting to PSA is strongly recommended for maximizing profit. While BGS 9.5 ($212.00 median) and CGC 10 ($199.99 median) offer some appreciation, the PSA 10 median of $400.00 commands a significantly higher premium in the Pokémon market.

How much profit can I expect from a PSA 10 Machamp V #172?

If you acquire a Machamp V #172 raw for $168.13, pay PSA’s $59.99 Standard grading fee, and it successfully grades as a PSA 10 (selling for $400.00, with $341.60 net proceeds after eBay fees and shipping), your expected profit is $113.48 per card, a 49.7% ROI.

What are the biggest risks when grading Machamp V #172?

The primary risks include condition risk (not achieving a PSA 10 due to imperfections, which would reduce profit) and market risk (prices for raw or graded cards fluctuating during the grading turnaround time). The Astral Radiance set is not ancient history, so significant population growth in PSA 10s could also impact future values.

When is the best time to grade Machamp V #172?

The best time to grade Machamp V #172 is when you can acquire raw copies at or below the current median price of $168.13 and when the PSA 10 market appears stable or trending upwards. Avoid submitting during periods of high grading backlog if you are sensitive to turnaround times.

Grading is a viable strategy for individuals interested in the current market for Machamp V #172. The ROI associated with a PSA 10 grade offers a profit opportunity. Risks involved should always be considered, and selecting the highest quality copies can improve the likelihood of achieving a gem mint grade. For additional information on card grading and investment strategies, a card grading hub is available.