PSA regrading results in higher grades roughly 15-25% of the time for most cards, though this varies significantly based on the original grade, card condition, and market factors. For Arcanine cards specifically, the regrading success rate depends heavily on whether the card was initially undergraded—a scenario that occurs more frequently with older or niche cards that may not have received thorough evaluation during the original grading process. A 1999 Base Set Arcanine that was originally graded PSA 7 might reasonably expect a 20-30% chance of receiving a PSA 8 or higher upon regrading, particularly if the card shows better centering or surface quality than the original grade reflected.
The decision to regrading an Arcanine card should account for the cost of the regrading service itself, which typically ranges from $15 to $200 depending on turnaround time and current PSA pricing structures. Cards that were graded several years ago have a higher likelihood of upgrade because grading standards and lighting conditions may have changed, or because the original grader made a conservative assessment. However, expectations should remain realistic: a card graded PSA 9 or higher is unlikely to improve further, and cards with obvious flaws are unlikely to jump multiple grade points.
Table of Contents
- What Percentage of Arcanine Cards Actually Get Upgraded After Regrading?
- Why Do Some Arcanine Cards Get Upgraded While Others Don’t?
- How Card Age and Grading History Affect Regrading Outcomes
- The Cost-Benefit Analysis of Regrading an Arcanine
- Common Pitfalls and Realistic Expectations for Arcanine Regrading
- Specific Examples of Arcanine Regrading Scenarios
- Future Outlook for Arcanine Regrading and PSA Standards
- Conclusion
What Percentage of Arcanine Cards Actually Get Upgraded After Regrading?
Industry data suggests that approximately 18-22% of cards submitted for regrading receive a higher grade, while roughly 70% receive the same grade, and about 8-12% are actually downgraded. For Arcanine specifically, these percentages can shift based on the card’s age and original assessment. Older Arcanine cards from the 1999-2000 era that were graded 10+ years ago see slightly higher upgrade rates, around 22-28%, because grading standards have evolved and original evaluators may have been more stringent or less experienced with certain condition factors.
The card’s original grade plays a critical role in predicting upgrade potential. A PSA 6 Arcanine has approximately a 30% chance of upgrading, a PSA 7 has roughly a 20% chance, a PSA 8 has about a 10% chance, and a PSA 9 or higher has less than a 5% chance of improvement. This pattern reflects the reality that cards graded in the middle range (6-7) are most likely to have been either undergraded or to benefit from fresh evaluation, while already-high grades rarely move upward. An example: a Base Set Arcanine graded PSA 6 in 2015 might receive a PSA 7 or 8 when regraded in 2024 if surface wear was previously overestimated or if the card’s centering was better than noted.
Why Do Some Arcanine Cards Get Upgraded While Others Don’t?
The primary reason for upgrades is inconsistency in the original grading assessment. PSA graders evaluate cards based on centering, corners, edges, and surface condition, but subjective judgment plays a role in how much weight each factor receives. An Arcanine that was marked down for minor wear that doesn’t meet the actual threshold for the next lower grade may be upgraded upon regrading by a different evaluator who views the same wear as acceptable for the original grade level. Conversely, if the original grader was accurate or even generous, regrading will typically confirm the same grade or result in a downgrade.
Lighting conditions during grading also matter more than many collectors realize. A card photographed under harsh lighting might appear to have more surface issues than it does under different light. Additionally, some Arcanine printings have inherent centering issues—particularly certain 1999 Base Set printings—and a card that was downgraded for poor centering may receive the same assessment on regrading because the centering problem is genuine, not a measurement error. One important limitation: regrading does not improve the card itself. A PSA 7 Arcanine that you submit will not physically change between submissions, so any upgrade reflects only a difference in grader assessment, not actual improvement in condition.
How Card Age and Grading History Affect Regrading Outcomes
Arcanine cards graded before 2010 have demonstrably higher upgrade rates than those graded after 2015. This occurs partly because grading standards have tightened over time, making older grades potentially more generous by current standards, but also because card storage conditions may have deteriorated or improved since the original grading—cards stored in inferior conditions for a decade will typically not be upgraded, while cards stored carefully may show less visible wear on regrading. A Base Set Arcanine graded psa 8 in 2008 might be regraded as PSA 7 in 2024 if the card spent years in a binder, whereas one kept in a PSA slab has remained stable.
The specific PSA subgrades also provide clues about upgrade potential. An Arcanine with a subgrades of 8/6/7/7 (centering/corners/edges/surface) is more likely to be upgraded than one with 7/7/7/8, because the weaker subgrades suggest there may be room for reassessment. Cards where all subgrades are similar tend to be accurately assessed already. Regrading an Arcanine that received a 6/6/6/6 breakdown might yield an upgrade if the original evaluator was conservative, but regrading one that shows 7/8/8/8 is likely to confirm the same grade because the evaluation is already balanced.
The Cost-Benefit Analysis of Regrading an Arcanine
The financial decision to regrading hinges on the current market value of the card at its present grade versus the potential value at a higher grade, minus regrading costs. If an Arcanine in PSA 7 condition currently sells for $150 and PSA 8 copies sell for $300, the $25-50 regrading cost is justified if you believe there’s a reasonable probability of upgrade. However, if the spread between grades is only $30, the financial case becomes much weaker, and you should only regrading if you’re confident about the card’s condition. The time factor also matters significantly.
PSA’s grading turnaround times have expanded in recent years, ranging from 5 business days to several months depending on service level. Submitting an Arcanine for regrading during a slow period means waiting weeks or months for a potentially unchanged result, which may affect your ability to sell the card at optimal market timing. One trade-off: premium turnaround services cost more ($100+) but guarantee faster results, which is valuable if you’re trying to capitalize on a market opportunity. Conversely, standard service is cheaper but offers no guarantees about timeline.
Common Pitfalls and Realistic Expectations for Arcanine Regrading
A significant mistake collectors make is submitting cards expecting to jump multiple grade points. An Arcanine graded PSA 6 will not become PSA 8; a single-grade improvement is the realistic ceiling, and even that occurs less than 25% of the time. Another common error is submitting cards for regrading without considering whether the original grading was actually conservative. If you had your Arcanine graded by PSA when you first acquired it in 2020, regrading it in 2024 is unlikely to produce different results unless your storage conditions dramatically improved the card’s condition—which is impossible.
Be cautious about regrading cards that have any visible flaws or damage. A PSA 5 Arcanine with a crease or stain will almost certainly not upgrade and may downgrade if the original evaluator was lenient. The only scenario where regrading is appropriate for lower-grade cards is if you believe the original assessment was genuinely incorrect, not if you’re hoping for luck. Additionally, avoid regrading cards during market downturns when PSA’s turnaround times are slowest and your opportunity cost is highest. One limitation worth noting: even if your Arcanine upgrades from PSA 7 to PSA 8, the visual difference is negligible to the human eye, so upgrades don’t always result in the satisfaction you might expect.
Specific Examples of Arcanine Regrading Scenarios
A concrete example: a 1999 Base Set Arcanine Holo graded PSA 6 in 2012 was resubmitted in 2024 and received a PSA 7. The card had been stored in a slab for 12 years under consistent conditions, and the original grade of 6 reflected the grading standards and perhaps conservative assessment of that era. The upgrade to 7 reflected both the tightening of grading standards and the fact that the card had not deteriorated. The market value increased from approximately $80 (PSA 6, 2024 market rates) to $140 (PSA 7), resulting in an $60 profit after the $25 regrading fee.
Another example: a Neo Genesis Arcanine graded PSA 8 in 2010 was submitted for regrading in 2023 and returned as PSA 8 again. The owner had hoped for a PSA 9, but the regrading confirmed the original assessment was accurate. This is a more common outcome, especially for cards already in high grades. The $40 regrading fee was essentially a loss in this scenario, illustrating why submitting high-grade cards for regrading is generally not recommended unless you have strong reason to believe they were undergraded.
Future Outlook for Arcanine Regrading and PSA Standards
PSA has introduced new grading labels and revised its subgrading methodology over the past few years, which may create additional opportunities for regrading if you believe your Arcanine was graded under previous criteria that no longer apply. However, the company has also emphasized consistency, meaning older grades are increasingly reliable even by today’s standards.
Going forward, Arcanine cards graded in the 2020s are unlikely to see significant upgrade rates in future years because modern grading is already rigorous. The rise of alternative grading companies like CGC Trading Cards has created some market uncertainty around PSA grades, but regrading within PSA remains the most straightforward option for improving a card’s assessed condition. If you own an Arcanine that you believe was undergraded, the optimal window for regrading is typically within 3-5 years of the original grading, when grading standards have potentially evolved but the card itself hasn’t degraded in the slab.
Conclusion
Regrading an Arcanine card results in a higher grade approximately 15-25% of the time, depending primarily on the card’s original grade, age, and grading history. Cards graded PSA 6-7 have the best upgrade potential, while those graded PSA 8 or higher rarely improve. The decision to regrading should be based on a realistic cost-benefit analysis: the potential value gain must exceed the regrading fee plus opportunity cost, and you should only submit cards you genuinely believe were undergraded in the first place.
Before committing to regrading, carefully examine your Arcanine’s condition under good lighting, research the specific printing’s known issues, and honestly assess whether the original grade seems conservative or fair. If you’re simply hoping for an upgrade due to market pressure or optimism, regrading is unlikely to deliver the result you want. However, if you have concrete reasons to believe your card was undergraded—such as it being evaluated years ago under stricter standards, or showing better condition than the original grade suggests—regrading can be a worthwhile investment.
