The EX Holon Phantoms cards most worth grading are the three Gold Stars—Gyarados #102, Mewtwo #103, and Pikachu #104—followed by Mew ex #100 and exceptionally clean holo or reverse-holo Gyarados, Rayquaza, Mewtwo, and Pikachu cards. Grade these only when the specific printing has near-flawless surfaces, edges, corners, and centering. Gold Stars are the set's secret cards, and Pokémon's 2006 checklist identifies Gyarados #102, Mewtwo #103, and Pikachu #104 as the three headline secret cards in EX Holon Phantoms. Pokémon's official checklist also makes clear that foil variants matter when deciding what to submit.
Table of Contents
- Start with the three Gold Stars
- Mew ex #100 is the next priority
- Regular holos with real upside
- Screen reverse holos as separate cards
- Condition and fees decide the final answer
Start with the three Gold Stars
Gyarados Gold Star #102, Mewtwo Gold Star #103, and Pikachu Gold Star #104 are the clear first submissions from the set. They combine major character appeal, scarce PSA 10 populations, and very high listed gem-mint values. PokeInvest lists PSA 10 populations of 37 for Gyarados, 127 for Mewtwo, and 119 for Pikachu, with PSA 10 values roughly ranging from $49,384 to $67,235.
Those figures make even a carefully preserved raw copy worth a close condition review before deciding against grading. PokeInvest's EX Holon Phantoms population report Pikachu Gold Star is particularly forgiving of a lower numerical grade than many modern chase cards. PSA-recorded comparable sales for PSA 5 copies ran from $5,300 to $7,000 in July and August 2026, so authentication and encapsulation can still make sense for a worn but authentic example. PSA's Pikachu Gold Star certification record.
Mew ex #100 is the next priority
Mew ex #100 is the strongest non-Gold-Star grading candidate. Its PSA 10 population is 60 from 1,907 graded copies, a 3.1% gem rate, while its listed PSA 10 value is about $13,500. That combination means a raw copy does not need Gold Star status to justify careful screening.
A clean Mew ex with strong centering and no visible holo scratching belongs near the front of a submission order. Do not submit one simply because it looks clean in a binder. On older ex-era cards, light surface wear, tiny edge whitening, and print defects can separate a high grade from a more ordinary result.
Regular holos with real upside
Regular holo Gyarados #8 and Rayquaza #16 are worthwhile when they are genuinely near mint. PokeInvest lists PSA 10 populations of 83 and 82, respectively, with listed PSA 10 values of about $5,916 for Gyarados and $6,875 for Rayquaza.
These are better candidates for selective grading than casual bulk submissions. Their value case depends heavily on a gem-grade outcome, so inspect them under direct light before paying grading fees. Prioritize copies with:.
- No scratches, scuffs, or cloudy areas on the holofoil
- Crisp corners and clean dark edges
- Little or no whitening on the back
- Centering that looks balanced at a glance
Screen reverse holos as separate cards
Reverse holos deserve their own pass because they are distinct variants with different supply and grading results. Strong targets include reverse-holo Gyarados #8, Rayquaza #16, Rayquaza #26, Mewtwo #24, and Pikachu #78 and #79. PokeInvest lists PSA 10 values from roughly $5,826 to $14,152 for those cited reverse variants, with gem rates of just 1.9% to 5.8%.
That low gem rate rewards unusually clean copies, but it also makes casual submissions risky. Check the card number and foil treatment before making a decision. In this set, cards #1–17 have two foil versions, while cards #18–98 have foil and non-holo versions, so an otherwise similar-looking card can represent a different grading opportunity.
Condition and fees decide the final answer
PSA defines a 10 as virtually perfect, with sharp corners, original gloss, no staining, and approximately 55/45 front centering. Use that standard as your filter: a high-value card with obvious wear may still deserve authentication, while a lower-value card needs a much stronger chance at a top grade.
PSA's grading standards Budget around declared value, not just the card's raw price. PSA's available Standard tier costs $59.99 per card with a $1,000 maximum insured value, higher-value cards require more expensive tiers, and PSA says Value services are temporarily paused. PSA's trading-card grading services.
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