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Should I Grade This Pokémon Card or Sell It Raw? A Quick Decision-Making Guide

This article is written for flippers, dedicated hobbyists, and casual fans who are deciding whether to grade a Pokémon card or sell it raw.

Raw or graded? The question that makes or breaks your margin

Grading a Pokémon card can transform it – boosting its value, credibility, and visual appeal. But we know of course that sometimes, grading isn’t the right move. The best Pokémon cards to get graded usually meet specific criteria – and understanding what to look for can help you make smart, profitable choices.

If you’ve got a raw card in hand and you’re unsure whether to get your Pokémon card graded or sell it as-is, this guide offers a quick decision-making framework. These five questions will help you weigh your options with confidence – whether you’re flipping, collecting, or somewhere in between.

1. Is the card in excellent condition?

Grading rewards condition. Even small flaws – whitening, centring issues, soft corners – can drop a grade from a 10 to a 7, and that shift often affects resale value. Start by inspecting your card in strong light and ask: would this realistically get an 8, 9, or 10?

If not, it might be best to hold onto it or consider selling raw. That said, even cards that aren’t perfect can benefit from grading if they’re rare, nostalgic, or part of a long-term personal collection. Condition is a major factor, but not the only one.

2. Are graded versions of this card selling well?

It’s worth checking the market. Search recent sales for your card – both raw and graded – and compare the price difference. Are Grade 9s and 10s getting snapped up? Are they selling for double or triple the raw price?

If yes, grading would appear to be a smart play. If not, that doesn’t mean it’s a bad idea – but maybe the timing isn’t right. Grading adds long-term credibility, and demand can rise over time, especially for newer sets or rookies in sports cards.

3. Is the card trending – or still developing?

If the card is hot right now – tied to a new release, an influencer pull, or a World Cup highlight – some will argue there’s a case for selling raw quickly to capture short-term hype. But if you are using a premium service (to get your card back quickly), or if the card has potential to grow (e.g. a rookie card, newly released fan-favourite, or low-pop insert), grading now could increase your return or at worst just protect it properly until its value peaks later.

At MGC, we hear this a lot with people getting football cards graded – especially when betting on a player’s long-term rise. Today’s £5 card could be worth £500 in two years if protected and preserved in mint condition.

4. Is the card already valuable in raw form?

It is true that some cards sell well raw. Check if your card already commands good prices ungraded. But remember grading still offers long-term protection and adds trust for future buyers.

The biggest opportunities are when a graded versions fetches significantly more than a raw ones. In these cases, submitting the card can unlock extra value – especially with a fast and affordable UK-based service like MGC.

5. What’s your plan – flip now, hold long-term, or keep for your PC?

Here’s the reality some flippers miss: not every card needs to be bought and sold asap. Some are better off being held for a while – protected, watched, and sold when the time is right. Our slabs aren’t just about resale. They’re about protection, security and peace of mind.

Some collectors also just want consistency – all their premium cards slabbed, matching, and displayed neatly. There’s a real satisfaction in seeing a collection presented cleanly and uniformly.

If you’re looking to flip for fast profit, the grading decision comes down to margin. But if you’re a collector building a long-term PC, or you think the market is still developing, grading offers a way to lock in condition and future-proof your investment.

Quick recap: Three good options

Grade it – if it’s mint, trending, or likely to rise in value with a higher grade.
Hold it – if the card might start to show promise but it’s early days. Keep it protected though! (Remember our membership & our bronze service offers outstanding value for these kinds of cards, where protection could be essential!)
Sell raw – if the condition is low/mid-grade and demand is high today. But always weigh the long-term upside.

Where to grade in the UK

If you’ve decided it’s one of those Pokémon cards worth grading, MGC is one of the best places to get Pokémon cards graded in the UK. We offer fast turnaround, no hidden fees, and a reputation that helps your cards hold value in the resale market.

You can submit online, join our Membership programme for better rates, or visit a Local Submission Hub if you prefer to drop off in person.