Only the full-art Thundurus #97/98 and Tornadus #98/98 are worth grading, and only pack-fresh copies with sharp centering. Grading means paying PSA to authenticate your card and assign a 1-10 condition score sealed in a slab. Emerging Powers is the 98-card second Black and White expansion released August 31, 2011. Its chase cards are those two full-art secret rares that sit past the printed set number.
Table of Contents
- Why do only two cards beat grading costs?
- How hard are PSA 10s to hit?
- Why skip the other holos and trainers?
- Should you submit your copy?
Why do only two cards beat grading costs?
Thundurus #97 full art is the clear leader. PriceCharting market data tracks it at about $17.23 ungraded and $194.50 as PSA 9, with PSA 10 listings far higher PriceCharting Emerging Powers price guide. Tornadus #98 full art ranks second.
PriceCharting market data tracks it at about $14.39 ungraded and $112.05 as PSA 9, so only high-grade copies clearly exceed grading fees PriceCharting Emerging Powers market board. That price jump matters. A raw card near $15 cannot absorb a $20-plus submission plus shipping unless the grade adds strong resale value.
How hard are PSA 10s to hit?
PSA 10s are scarce for both cards. PSA certification verification reports only 93 copies graded higher than PSA 9 for Thundurus #97 from a 337-card PSA 9 population. The same pattern holds for Tornadus.
PSA certification verification reports only 64 copies graded higher than PSA 9 for Tornadus #98 from a 356-card PSA 9 population. In practical terms, many clean-looking copies stop at PSA 9. Buyers pay the real premium for centered edges, sharp corners, and clean print.
Why skip the other holos and trainers?
Beyond the two full arts, value drops fast. Holo rares such as Gothitelle, Beartic, Cobalion, Virizion and Pokemon Catcher carry modest raw prices around $1-$9, according to TheGamer ranking, which limits grading upside. Pokemon Catcher #95/98 is still notable.
Pojo.com ranked the uncommon Trainer No. 1 for competitive play because its pre-errata gust effect saw wide tournament use. Play value does not equal slab value. A widely played uncommon stays cheap in raw form, and grading rarely changes that math.
Should you submit your copy?
Submit only a pack-fresh full art with strong centering and no edge wear. Emerging Powers is unusually affordable for a 2011 set, so sellers advise grading only top-condition full arts because PSA 9s and played copies often fail to cover costs, according to TheGamer TheGamer most valuable Emerging Powers cards. Check these points before you pay: If your Thundurus or Tornadus misses on centering or surface, sell it raw and save the fee.
- centering looks even front and back under good light
- corners are sharp with no whitening
- surface has no scratches, print lines, or binder dents
- card comes from a pack, not played decks or loose bulk
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