The best EX Crystal Guardians cards to grade are Celebi Gold Star #100, Alakazam Gold Star #99, both Charizard #4 variants, and both Blastoise #2 variants. Groudon ex #93 is the strongest candidate among the set's ten Pokémon-ex cards. Grading means submitting a card for authentication and a condition score. These cards justify close inspection because high grades command large premiums, but only exceptionally clean copies are likely to make financial sense.
Table of Contents
- Gold Stars are the top priorities
- Charizard and Blastoise reward exceptional condition
- Which Pokémon-ex card stands out?
- How to decide before submitting
Gold Stars are the top priorities
Celebi Gold Star #100 and Alakazam Gold Star #99 are the set's only Gold Stars. Their estimated PSA 10 values reach $17,497 and $13,100, respectively, according to the PokeInvest Crystal Guardians population report. Celebi has also produced documented high-end sales beyond guide estimates. PSA records a PSA 10 sale for $21,999.15 on March 7, 2026, followed by a $25,010 Goldin sale on April 20, 2026.
Alakazam demonstrates why condition matters so much. PriceCharting estimates roughly $1,073 ungraded, $5,829 in PSA 9, and $13,100 in PSA 10. Its recorded population includes only 82 PSA 10 copies among 2,630 graded examples. Owners should consider grading either Gold Star even when a perfect grade looks unlikely. However, the expected grade, recent comparable sales, grading fee, and appropriate service tier must support the decision.
Charizard and Blastoise reward exceptional condition
Both Charizard #4 versions merit grading when genuinely high-grade. The standard holo has 80 PSA 10 copies and a 1.4% gem rate, while the stamped reverse holo has 52 tens and a 1.7% gem rate. The reverse-holo Charizard is particularly attractive in PSA 9. PriceCharting documents many 2026 sales around $4,000 to $5,200, plus several September sales between $6,627 and $8,500 on its reverse-holo Charizard sales page. That evidence makes a strong near-mint copy worth evaluating even if PSA 10 appears doubtful.
Blastoise #2 belongs in the same priority group, especially the reverse holo. Only 19 of 1,274 reverse-holo submissions received PSA 10, compared with 61 of 2,170 standard holos. Their estimated PSA 10 values are $14,100 and $5,726, respectively. Scarcity in the top grade creates opportunity, but it also signals difficulty. A low gem rate should encourage stricter inspection rather than an optimistic submission.
Which Pokémon-ex card stands out?
Groudon ex #93 offers the clearest grading case among cards #89 through #98. Its estimated PSA 10 value is $6,340, with 51 tens from 1,159 submissions. Kyogre ex #95 and Jirachi ex #94 are still reasonable candidates in exceptional condition, but their higher gem rates make their top grades less scarce.
Kyogre's gem rate is 6.6%, while Jirachi's is 7.7%. For the remaining Pokémon-ex cards, the card's actual condition should drive the choice. A clean copy with strong centering and no surface damage may deserve grading, while an average copy should not be submitted merely because it carries the "ex" label. A practical priority order is:.
- Groudon ex #93 in gem-mint condition
- Other Pokémon-ex cards with unusually strong centering and surfaces
- Borderline copies only when recent sales support the expected grade and total cost
How to decide before submitting
Inspect each card under bright, angled light and judge it conservatively. PSA 10 standards call for sharp corners, original gloss, no staining, and approximately 55/45 or better front centering, as described in PSA's grading standards. Check these areas before paying a grading fee: PSA's entry service currently costs $59.99 per card and permits no more than $1,000 in insured value.
High-value Crystal Guardians cards may therefore require a costlier service tier rather than entry-level submission. Population and price-guide figures cannot guarantee a profit. Populations can grow, while PriceCharting estimates values from historical completed transactions. Compare recent sold prices, grading costs, shipping, insurance, and the likely grade before submitting.
- Front and back centering
- Whitening on every corner and edge
- Scratches, print lines, dents, or surface wear
- Stains, residue, or lost gloss
- Creases or pressure marks visible under angled light
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