Vintage (1999–2003)
Base Set, Fossil, Jungle, Neo & early WOTC cards – especially 1st Edition and Shadowless prints.
Get Pokémon cards graded
Have your Pokémon cards professionally graded, authenticated and sealed in the premium PGS case – fast, insured and customs-free. From a Base Set Charizard to the latest Alt Art: we rate your collectible cards by clear criteria and protect their collector value for good. Made in Germany, from €15.95 per card.
Why grade?
Why get Pokémon cards graded?
Protection, authenticity and a documented condition – all especially important for Pokémon.
Pokémon is by far the most collected trading card game in the world – and therefore also the most counterfeited. If you own a valuable card like a 1st Edition Charizard, a Crown Zenith Alt Art or a Japanese promo, you want two things: proof that the card is genuine and an objective record of its condition. That is exactly what grading delivers. We inspect every Pokémon card under daylight and UV light, rate it on a fixed scale and seal it in a sturdy, UV-protected slab.
A graded card is easier to sell, more transparent to value and safer to store. The slab protects against creases, abrasion and humidity, the serial number with QR code makes the grade verifiable, and the public pop report shows how rare a given grade really is.
Is it worth it?
Which Pokémon cards are worth grading?
Modern chase cards
SAR, AR, Special Art Rares, Full Arts, Rainbow & Gold Rares from sets like 151 or Surging Sparks.
Japanese cards
JP promos, Gym sets, VSTAR Universe & Alt Arts – often outstanding print quality.
Promos & specials
Stamped promos, pre-release, trophy and event cards – rarities whose value grading makes visible.
Criteria
What is assessed?
Four subgrades form the overall grade from 1 to 10.
Centering
How evenly is the card cut? Front and back are checked for even borders.
Corners
Are the corners sharp or do they show whitening or dings?
Edges
Edges are checked for abrasion, nicks and chipping – critical on holos.
Surface
Scratches, print lines, dents or fingerprints affect the grade.
More on the grading scale and subgrades. A card that scores 10 in all four subgrades earns our exclusive Gold Label.
4 steps
How grading works at PGS
1 · Order
Choose a service in the configurator.
2 · Send in
Pack securely and ship insured to Cologne – or drop off in person.
3 · Grade
Authentication & rating of the four subgrades.
4 · Seal
Sealed in a case with serial number & QR code, insured return shipping.
Germany, not the USA
Advantages over shipping abroad
Sending Pokémon cards to PSA in the USA adds cost: customs & import VAT on return, high value-charge surcharges and often weeks to months of waiting. With grading in Germany none of that applies: a fixed price up front, no customs and processing in 1–15 business days. Full comparison: PSA vs. PGS.
FAQ
Pokémon grading FAQ
Which Pokémon cards are worth grading?
Especially vintage cards (Base Set, 1st Edition, Shadowless), rare chase cards of modern sets (SAR, AR, Alt Art, Full Art), Japanese promos and cards with high collector or market value.
Can I have Japanese Pokémon cards graded?
Yes. We grade Japanese and English Pokémon cards and provide a matching acrylic holder for the Japanese format.
Do you grade both modern and old Pokémon cards?
Both. From the 1999 WOTC classic to the latest Special Illustration Rare, we rate by the same criteria: centering, corners, edges and surface.
What does a PGS 10 mean?
A PGS 10 (Gem Mint) is our top grade for near-perfect condition. If a card also scores 10 in all four subgrades, it receives our exclusive Gold Label.
How much does Pokémon grading cost?
From €15.95 per card as a fixed price without value charge. See the price overview.
How long does grading take?
Between 1 and 15 business days depending on the service. Track it live on the status page.
More: Order grading · Prices · Process · Subgrades · Pop Report · One Piece · Yu-Gi-Oh! · Magic