What are the most graded Pokemon cards in 2022?

PSA released a list containing the top 10 TCG cards which have been sent off for grading in recent months, and it’s no surprise that it’s packed to the rafters with the latest and greatest Pokémon. 

Here’s everything you need to know about the top 10 most graded Pokémon cards, from set info to what makes them so special for collectors and investors. 

Top 10 Most Graded Pokemon Cards 2022

We’ve listed the top 10 cards in order, and there aren’t many surprises in store if you’ve been paying attention to major releases and promo editions over the past few years. 

10. 2020 Pokémon Japanese S Promo 144 Kanazawa’s Pikachu Pokémon Center Kanazawa Opening (eBay)

Kanazawa’s Pikachu is first up. One of the S-P Promotional cards released in 2020, it was given to customers visiting any Pokémon Center and Pokémon Store in celebration of the opening of Pokémon Center Kanazawa in Japan.

A second print was included in the Pokémon Center Kanazawa Open Commemoration Special Box. This was sold via Pokémon Centers, Pokémon Stores, and on the Pokémon Center Online. Given the limited release, Prize cards are always popular when graded.

9. 2021 Pokémon Japanese S Promo 227 Pikachu Pokémon Stamp Box (eBay)

Another Japanese S-P Promotional card featuring Pikachu, the eye-catching image was first used on Japanese stamps issued in 1948. (Obviously without the addition of the electric mouse.)

To tie in to the theme, they could be purchased from participating post offices or the Japan Post Service website. 

Given the unique look, they’re highly popular with collectors who are willing to look past the Japanese text. 

8. 2020 Pokémon Japanese Sword & Shield Shiny Star V 308 Full Art/Charizard VMAX (eBay)

It wasn’t going to take long for a version of Charizard to make the list. 

The 2020 Pokémon Japanese Sword & Shield set has a Charizard VMAX which has been given a full art makeover. 

The card has been given the shiny treatment, so Charizard is purple rather than orange. If you’re hoping to import a copy for grading, they’re already heading past the $100 mark. 

7. 2021 Pokémon Sword & Shield Shining Fates SV107 Full Art/Charizard VMAX (eBay)

In the 2021 Sword & Shield Shining Fates release, Charizard is the Pokémon everybody wants. 

His Shiny alternative color scheme card is one of the most popular in the entire series. 

EssentIally, it’s the English version of the Charizard seen above, which makes for an extremely popular collectible and the key to the set. 

The powerful Pokémon is the subject of one of the rarest Pokémon cards from 2021.

6. 2021 Pokémon SWSH 144 Greninja-Gold Star Celebrations Elite Trainer Box (eBay)

One of the popular Gold Star promo cards, Greninja is found in both the Celebrations Elite Trainer Box and Celebrations Pokémon Center Elite Trainer Box released in 2021.

This Gold Star re-release isn’t normally found in normal Celebrations packs. Instead, one copy of the special foil card featuring Greninja is included in every Celebrations box. 

It isn’t especially rare by any means, but it benefits from being based on one of the most valuable Pokémon cards in existence. Expect to see hundreds of graded copies hitting the resale market in coming months. 

5. 1999 Pokémon Game 4 Charizard-Holo (eBay)

What about the original holo Charizard, released way back in 1999? 

It offers a nostalgic hit for anyone who is old enough to remember the collection, and it sells for a significant fee no matter the grade it gets from the likes of PSA. 

It’s no surprise that they’re still being sent in frequently enough to make the list, although there can’t be too many copies left lying around in the present. 

Whether they’re 1st Editions or later versions, they’re still worth sending off for grading. 

4. 2021 Pokémon Japanese Promo Card Pack 25th Anniv. Edition 001 Charizard-Holo (eBay)

In a similar theme, this version of Charizard is found in the Japanese equivalent of Celebrations, known as the 25th Anniversary Collection. 

The Japanese Anniversary promo differs from the English card in a couple of ways. The shiny holo foil is found on the outer border, which makes it tough to find in gem mint condition. You’ll also spot a 25th logo on the bottom right corner of the artwork.

3. 2021 Yu-Gi-Oh! Japanese Promo JP002 Dark Magician Girl Rush Duel Saikyo Battle Royale (eBay)

Okay, it’s not Pokémon, but the Dark Magician Girl Yu-Gi-Oh! card is too good to miss out on. 

The only TCG release from the Yu-Gi-Oh! set to make the list of popular cards sent off to PSA, it has a traditional design, with an image of the Magician Girl contained within the borders of the artwork. 

Once again, you’ll probably have to import the card before sending it off for grading, as it was originally released in Japan.

2. 2021 Pokémon Japanese S Promo 208 Pikachu Yu Nagaba X Pokémon Card Game Campaign (eBay)

2021 Pikachu Yu Nagaba is another recognisable card released over the past 12 months.  

Another 2021 Japanese promo card featuring Pikachu, these sell like hotcakes when they’re PSA graded. They’re also affordable, which is why so many have been sent to PSA.

They were made available at Pokémon Centers in Japan, with buyers receiving a special Pikachu promo card illustrated by the minimalist artist Yu Nagaba.

It’s another card that catches the eye, and will earn a deserving spot in any collection. 

1. 2021 Pokémon Celebrations Classic Collection 4 Charizard-Holo (eBay)

The key to the Pokémon Celebrations Elite Trainer Box, Charizard is back in all of his glory for this re-release, breathing a familiar plume of orange and yellow fire. 

As a like-for-like reprint of one of the most popular cards in existence, even ungraded versions will attract a lot of interest. After all, the majority of collectors can’t afford a Shadowless original holo version, never mind a graded copy of the card.

It’s far cheaper than the original. Even so, it still goes for a significantly higher fee than any of the other cards from the Celebrations collection.

That’s doubly true if the Charizard Celebrations card has been graded by the likes of PSA or BGS. 

It’s the best Pokémon card in terms of being sent off to be slabbed according to PSA data.

Top 10 Most Graded Pokémon Cards 2022: Buyers Guide 

We’ve put together a buyer’s guide looking at some of the most popular TCG options within the entire hobby.

We’d stay away from the rare promotional releases if you’re looking for something a bit cheaper, although your average Charizard card is still likely to set you back by a fair amount. The 2021 Pikachu Yu Nagaba is still affordable at the current time of writing, so that would be our top pick. 

If we could only choose one card, it’s hard to look past one of the Charizard releases from 2021. 

We think that the Charizard Celebrations card has the greatest potential to turn a profit in the long run.

Final Thoughts

The list is stuffed full of Charizard and Pikachu cards, and they do tend to be included in all major sets as a chase element. 

It’s no surprise that they’re being sent to PSA in massive numbers, especially if you’re looking at the rarer promo versions that weren’t made available in most stores. 

We think that any of the cards mentioned above will be great if you manage to snag a gem mint copy, although there will be an abundance of lower grades that will serve to drag values down. As such, PSA 10s are the best investment overall.