Most Common Pokémon Cards That Get a PSA 10

Some cards are practically engineered for perfect grades. Consistent print quality, good centring, and sturdy card stock mean certain cards achieve 10s at much higher rates than average. If you're looking for reliable grading submissions, these are your safest bets.

Japanese Modern Cards

Japanese Pokémon cards from recent sets consistently achieve the highest PSA 10 rates in the hobby. The print quality is more consistent, centring is typically better, and the card stock is smoother. Some Japanese modern cards have gem mint rates above 70%, meaning seven out of ten submissions score a perfect grade.

Promo Cards From Sealed Products

Cards that come packaged in tins, Elite Trainer Boxes, and special collections tend to grade well because they're protected by the product packaging from the moment they're produced. Unlike pack pulls that press against other cards, promo cards sit in their own compartments with minimal surface contact.

Modern Full Art Trainers

Full art trainer cards from the Sword and Shield and Scarlet and Violet eras have good gem mint rates. The full art texture provides some protection against visible scratching (the texture hides minor imperfections), and print quality on these cards is generally consistent.

Radiant Cards

The Radiant series (Radiant Charizard, Radiant Eevee, etc.) are printed on slightly different card stock than standard cards. They tend to maintain condition well and have relatively high gem mint rates.

Which Cards Rarely Get 10s

Vintage cards from any era rarely achieve 10s simply due to age and the handling they've endured over decades. Even "mint" vintage cards often top out at 9.

Cards from sets with known quality issues (certain Evolving Skies print runs, early Sword and Shield sets, some Sun and Moon releases) have lower 10 rates due to factory-level inconsistencies.

Holo cards from any era are harder to score 10 on than non-holos because the holographic layer shows scratches more readily.

Using This Information

If you're building a submission and want to maximise your 10 count, prioritise Japanese cards, promo cards from sealed products, and modern full art trainers. Mix in your high-value chase cards too, but pad the submission with cards you're confident will score well. A submission with a high 10 rate feels good and builds confidence in your condition assessment skills.