Mint Luxray GL LV.X #109, low-population LV.X cards such as Snorlax LV.X #111 and Infernape 4 LV.X, and pack-fresh secret Pikachus #113-114 are the Rising Rivals cards worth grading. LV.X cards are ultra-rare Level-Up cards played on top of a matching Pokemon.
Platinum Rising Rivals reached the U.S. in May 2009 as a 111-card set plus secrets. It centered on Trainer-owned SP Pokemon and nine LV.X ultra-rares, with Luxray GL LV.X #109 as the headline chase.
Table of Contents
- Why Luxray GL LV.X leads
- Which other LV.X cards can pay?
- Are the secret Pikachus worth it?
- When should you skip grading?
Why Luxray GL LV.X leads
Luxray GL LV.X #109 trades around $59 raw versus about $2,150 in PSA 10, according to the PokeInvest price guide in its live price comparison. That leaves roughly $2,091 before fees, so truly mint copies are strong candidates. Demand is not only collector-driven. Its Bright Look Poke-Power anchored the LuxChomp deck that won multiple 2009-2010 events, including two 2010 World age divisions.
Competitive history keeps buyer interest high for clean copies. High grades stay scarce. One PSA example sits at Mint 9 with population 100 and only 27 higher-graded. Collectors should pre-screen for sharp corners, full gloss, and strong centering.
Which other LV.X cards can pay?
Snorlax LV.X #111 suits only top-condition copies. A PSA 10 sold for $253,680 at auction, up about 63% from a prior $156,000 record, according to ComicBook and Fanatics Collect reporting in the February 2026 auction report. That premium reflects scarcity in perfect grade, not typical played copies. Infernape 4 LV.X follows the same pattern.
A PSA 10 sold for $264,000 after an earlier $4,050 high, with only 14 copies in PSA 10. Low-population owners gain most because buyers pay for confirmed rarity. Other LV.X cards need stricter selection. Without low population or a PSA 9-10 outcome, fees can erase the gain. Focus on pack-fresh cards with clean foiling and no edge wear.
Are the secret Pikachus worth it?
Flying Pikachu #113 and Surfing Pikachu #114 show steep grade multipliers. Surfing Pikachu lists near $179 ungraded versus $3,152 in PSA 10, according to PriceCharting data in its current sales aggregation. That gap favors pack-fresh Pikachu collectors. Pikachu appeal broadens the buyer pool beyond set collectors.
Character demand helps PSA 9-10 copies sell faster than lesser non-LV.X rares. Still, condition decides the result. Check centering, print lines, and corner whitening under bright light. Secret rares show wear easily, so only clean copies merit submission.
When should you skip grading?
Grading is costly and backlogged. PSA Regular service lists around $59.99-$79.99, with cheaper Value tiers paused since June 2026, according to the PreGradeCards PSA backlog tracker.
Off-center or played copies often lose money after fees and shipping. Skip submission when a card shows these signs: Submit only centered, pack-fresh Luxray, scarce LV.X cards, and secret Pikachus likely to earn PSA 9 or better.
- visible edge whitening, scratches, creases, or binder wear
- weak centering, print lines, or dull foil
- raw value near or below the all-in grading cost
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