Graded Pokémon cards are one of the fastest-growing parts of the hobby. A slab protects the card and confirms its condition, which makes buying online much safer. Here is what to know before you buy Pokémon slabs online.
Why Buy Graded Pokémon Cards?
Pokémon cards are easy to damage and hard to judge from photos. A graded card has been checked by a third party, sealed in a tamper-evident slab and given a grade, so you know exactly what you are getting. Graded cards are also easier to resell.
PSA vs CGC for Pokémon
PSA is the most common Pokémon slab and usually sells for the most at the same grade. CGC is also very popular for Pokémon and offers a Pristine 10 above its Gem Mint 10. BGS slabs show up too, especially for high-end cards. Our comparison of PSA vs BGS vs SGC vs CGC explains the differences.
Japanese vs English Pokémon Cards
Japanese sets often release first and include artwork or cards that never come out in English. Both are collected and graded. Prices can differ a lot between the two, so always check which language you are buying. The set code and language are shown on the slab label.
Pokémon Cards in the Shop
What to Check Before You Buy
- The cert number: look it up on the grader’s website to confirm the card and grade. Here is how to check a PSA cert number.
- The grade: a PSA 10 is worth much more than a PSA 9 for most modern Pokémon cards. See the PSA grading scale explained.
- The slab: look for cracks or scratches on the case in the photos.
- The exact card: make sure the photos show the slab you will receive, not a stock image.
Raw Pokémon Cards
Vintage raw cards like Base Set holos can still be great buys. Just judge the corners, edges, surface and centering from the photos, and store them properly. See how to protect your cards.
Buy Pokémon Slabs Online in Canada
Shop graded Pokémon cards and Pokémon slabs at Card Tings, with every slab pictured exactly as it is and checked against its cert number before it ships. Free shipping in Canada on orders over $150.
Collecting in BC? See our local guide to buying Pokémon cards in Vancouver.
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