The Call of Legends cards most worth grading are the 11 Shiny Legendary secret cards, led by Lugia SL7, Ho-Oh SL5, Rayquaza SL10, Groudon SL4 and Kyogre SL6. The regular Holo Lugia #15 can also justify grading in clean condition. Call of Legends is a 2011 HeartGold and SoulSilver expansion, meaning cards from the late HeartGold and SoulSilver era of the Pokemon Trading Card Game. According to Bulbapedia, the set has 95 main-set cards plus 11 secret Shiny Legendary cards numbered SL1-SL11 in the TCG expansion list.
Table of Contents
- Why the Shiny Legendaries lead
- What PSA 10 can add
- Which other Shinies deserve a look
- Can regular holos justify grading?
- How to screen a card before submitting
Why the Shiny Legendaries lead
The 11 Shiny Legendaries are Deoxys SL1, Dialga SL2, Entei SL3, Groudon SL4, Ho-Oh SL5, Kyogre SL6, Lugia SL7, Palkia SL8, Raikou SL9, Rayquaza SL10 and Suicune SL11. That small secret group carries the strongest grading demand in the set. Collectors chase them as complete-set pieces and as single-card display cards.
Shiny Lugia SL7 is the premier grading target. PSA certified one GEM-MT 10 copy with population 19 and none higher, with PSA estimate $15,838, according to the PSA certification record. That population makes high-grade copies scarce even before price is considered.
What PSA 10 can add
Grading pays when a near-mint card jumps to Mint 9 or GEM-MT 10, which means nearly flawless to the grading company. PSA's price guide values Ho-Oh SL5 at $500+ in NM-MT 8, $900+ in Mint 9 and $2,500+ in GEM-MT 10. Rayquaza SL10, Groudon SL4 and Kyogre SL6 show the same multiple-step climb, according to the PSA price guide.
Kyogre SL6 is a clear example of that ladder. The same guide lists it at $325+ in NM-MT 8, $700+ in Mint 9 and $1,500 in GEM-MT 10. A clean copy that moves one grade can double in guide value.
Which other Shinies deserve a look
Do not stop at Lugia, Ho-Oh and Rayquaza. Market sales show large raw-to-graded spreads for Deoxys SL1, Entei SL3 and Suicune SL11, with raw copies tracking in the hundreds against far higher PSA 10 listings. Those spreads reward only cards likely to earn the top grade.
Focus on eye appeal as well as value. Centered copies with bright foil, clean edges and sharp corners are better candidates than off-center copies with edge wear. A lower-value Shiny can still warrant grading when it looks like a true 10.
Can regular holos justify grading?
Yes, for select cards in superb condition. A 2011 Call of Legends Holo Lugia #15 PSA 10 sold for $367,220 after 49 bids, leading a Goldin pop-culture auction closing Sept. 9, 2026, according to Sports Illustrated Collectibles in the auction sales report.
That result applies to a top-grade example, not to every played copy. Treat other non-secret holos with more caution. Grading fees, shipping and wait time can exceed the gain on an average-grade holo. Submit regular holos only when centering, corners, edges and surface all look pack-fresh.
How to screen a card before submitting
Use this quick check under good light before paying a grading fee: PSA 10 GEM-MT requires about 55/45 or better front centering and virtually perfect corners, edges and surface. Only clean, well-centered copies should be submitted.
- Front centering looks about 55/45 or better, with even borders.
- Corners are sharp, with no whitening or bends.
- Edges show no chipping, especially on dark borders.
- Surface has no scratches, print lines, foil clouding or fingerprints.
- Back is clean, centered and free of stains or edge wear.
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