The Metagross ex non-holographic from the 2007 EX Power Keepers set (card #95/108) remains one of the most difficult cards to price accurately in the modern Pokémon collecting market. Unlike its holographic counterpart, which has established sales history and regular marketplace listings, the non-holo variant rarely appears for sale, making current pricing speculative at best.
This scarcity of market data means you won’t find reliable price guides listing the non-holo Metagross ex the way you would for common bulk commons or chase holos—collectors who want this specific card must often piece together pricing based on comparable non-holo rares from the same era or negotiate directly with sellers who have one available. The challenge in pricing this card stems from a fundamental market reality: non-holographic rare EX cards from Power Keepers were produced in far lower quantities than their holographic versions, and far fewer people actively collect non-holos from this era. While the holographic Metagross ex has generated over $12,700 in recorded PSA-graded sales across 143 auctions, creating a clear price ladder from PSA 7 to PSA 10, the non-holo variant exists in a data void where supply, demand, and actual sales records are sparse or nonexistent.
Table of Contents
- What Is the Non-Holo Metagross ex from Power Keepers?
- Why Non-Holo Variants Command Lower Prices and Carry Higher Risk
- The Holographic Metagross ex as a Pricing Anchor
- Where and How to Find Non-Holo Listings
- Grading and Condition’s Impact on Non-Holo Pricing
- The Collector’s Premium and Non-Holo Investment Potential
- Practical Buying Strategy for Non-Holo Metagross ex
What Is the Non-Holo Metagross ex from Power Keepers?
The Metagross ex card appears in the 2007 power Keepers expansion as a Psychic-type rare EX, occupying the #95 slot out of 108 cards in the set. Both the holographic and non-holographic versions share identical artwork, stats, and attack text—the only difference is the surface finish. Metagross ex was a competitive-level card at the time of release, featuring the attack “Magnetic Storm,” which made it relevant in tournament play and casual collections alike.
The non-holographic print of this card was produced as a reverse-holo variant or, in some cases, as a raw non-holo rare pulled from booster packs. Power Keepers, released in March 2007, is now nearly twenty years old, and the set’s print run was moderate compared to more recent expansions. The non-holo Metagross ex has become progressively harder to locate because many cards from this era were played heavily, discarded, or stored poorly, leading to condition loss. Those that survived tend to stay in private collections rather than cycle through the secondary market.
Why Non-Holo Variants Command Lower Prices and Carry Higher Risk
Non-holographic rare EX cards from Power Keepers typically sell for 50–70% less than their holographic equivalents, though exact price ratios vary wildly depending on condition and market availability. A holographic Metagross ex graded PSA 9 by Professional Sports Authenticator sells for approximately $185–$610 depending on the specific sale date and marketplace. By this ratio, a non-holo in similar condition might reasonably fetch $90–$300, but this is extrapolation, not observed data—no reliable recent sales exist to confirm these numbers.
The reason for the price gap is straightforward: holo rares are more visually appealing, more recognizable to casual collectors, and more actively demanded. Non-holos appeal to a small subset of collectors who specifically hunt for reverse-holo or non-holo complete sets. When a non-holo Metagross ex does appear for sale, the seller often has no recent comps to reference and may either overprice it based on optimism or undervalue it due to lack of buyer interest. This creates a risk: if you buy a non-holo Metagross ex at what seems like a fair price, you may struggle to resell it if you can’t find another buyer willing to pay the same amount.
The Holographic Metagross ex as a Pricing Anchor
Because non-holo pricing data is unavailable, collectors and dealers often use the holographic version as a reference point. The holo Metagross ex has a clear market ladder: a PSA 7 sells for $69–$105.50, a PSA 8 for around $90, a PSA 9 for $185–$610, and a PSA 10 for $1,875. These prices reflect 143 recorded auctions of graded copies, providing statistical weight and confidence for buyers and sellers. However, applying these holo prices directly to a non-holo variant would be a mistake.
The gap between a PSA 9 holographic ($185–$610) and a PSA 9 non-holo is not a simple percentage discount. Instead, the non-holo exists in a thinner market where individual sales may be weeks or months apart, if they occur at all. A seller might ask $250 for a PSA 9 non-holo based on holo comps, but if no buyer emerges within a reasonable timeframe, the card either stays listed or the price drops significantly. This illiquidity is a real downside: even if you acquire a non-holo Metagross ex at a good price, converting it back to cash may take longer and yield less than you paid.
Where and How to Find Non-Holo Listings
Non-holo Metagross ex cards occasionally appear on TCGPlayer, eBay, and specialized Pokémon card marketplaces, though “occasionally” may mean once or twice a year per platform. eBay tends to have the most non-holo inventory, but listings vary wildly in quality, with some sellers providing detailed condition descriptions and others simply listing “Metagross ex Power Keepers” without specifying whether the card is holo or non-holo. Your best strategy is to set up saved searches on eBay for “Metagross ex Power Keepers” and filter for completed sales to see what non-holos actually sold for in the past six months.
This historical data, though thin, is more reliable than asking prices. Additionally, reaching out directly to vintage Pokémon card dealers—those who specialize in 2000s-era cards—may surface non-holo copies not listed publicly. Some collectors hold duplicates or have connections to estate lots where non-holos surface. Building relationships with these dealers gives you first access before cards hit public marketplaces, though you’ll pay a premium for that convenience.
Grading and Condition’s Impact on Non-Holo Pricing
Because the non-holo Metagross ex has no graded market history, submitting a raw copy to PSA for grading is a calculated risk. Grading services charge $20–$100 per card depending on turnaround time, and a graded non-holo gains legitimacy and confidence for a future buyer—but it also locks in costs. If your raw non-holo grades PSA 7 or lower, you’ve spent $30–$50 on grading for a card worth perhaps $40–$80, eating into your margin.
For raw non-holos, condition matters immensely, but descriptions are subjective without professional grading. A card labeled “Near Mint” by one seller might grade PSA 7 by PSA’s standards, while another seller’s “Lightly Played” card could be PSA 8. When evaluating a non-holo listing, look closely at seller photos, ask for close-ups of corners and edges (where wear shows most clearly), and check their return policy. A seller offering 30-day returns with no questions asked is signaling confidence in their condition assessment; a seller with a no-returns policy may be hiding issues.
The Collector’s Premium and Non-Holo Investment Potential
Non-holographic cards from high-demand sets like Power Keepers have niche appeal, primarily to collectors pursuing “rainbow” or non-holo complete sets rather than casual buyers. This niche market can sometimes work in your favor: if you find a non-holo Metagross ex and hold it for several years, the scarcity of that variant may increase its value as the overall Pokémon card market matures and rare non-holos become recognized as specialized collectibles. However, this is speculative.
The proven value story belongs to the holographic version, which has consistent demand and sales velocity. If you’re buying a non-holo Metagross ex as an investment, treat it as a long-term hold (3–5+ years minimum) rather than a quick flip. In the short term, thin non-holo markets make resale difficult and prices unpredictable.
Practical Buying Strategy for Non-Holo Metagross ex
When you find a non-holo Metagross ex for sale, your offer should anchor to the holographic PSA 9 price ($185–$610) discounted by 40–60% to account for illiquidity and lack of demand. For a raw non-holo in NM or LP condition, aim to pay $80–$180; anything higher assumes future collector interest that hasn’t materialized yet. Always request detailed photos showing the entire front and back of the card, with lighting that reveals any wear, creases, or whitening on edges and corners.
If the card is already graded by PSA, the grade label provides objective condition data, making your decision simpler. A PSA 7 non-holo might reasonably be priced at $60–$100; a PSA 8 at $100–$200. These are estimates based on holo ratios, not observed sales, so negotiate accordingly. Avoid paying holo-level prices for non-holos unless you’re buying from a highly reputable dealer with solid return terms—the risk of overpayment is too high in a market where resale comps don’t exist.
