TCGPal

TCGPal

Squirtle

Stellar Crown(SCR) #148/142

Illustration Rare • 2024 • English

1000-Point Score: 950

9.5
GEM MINT
CEN
9
COR
9.5
EDG
10
SUR
9.5

Graded by

@hitman1620

Grade-Limiting Factor

Back Centering

Front vs Back Subgrades

centering
F
9.5
B
8
corners
F
10
B
9
edges
F
10
B
10
surface
F
9.5
B
9.5

Notable Defects (2)

Back(Back)

Microscopic speck of whitening on the extreme tip of the corner

minor
Back(Back)

Left-to-right centering is noticeably shifted left, resulting in a thicker left blue border

moderate

Front Centering

Left/Right
52/48
Top/Bottom
50/50
Grade9.5

Back Centering

Left/Right
65/35
Top/Bottom
55/45
Grade8

Summary

This Squirtle Illustration Rare is in outstanding pack-fresh condition with clean edges and a pristine front surface. The primary limiting factors are the noticeably off-center back (left-to-right) and a microscopic speck of whitening on the back bottom-left corner.

Worth Grading

Submit to PSA for best value

Raw value$490
Graded value (at 9.5)$2.1k
~$20
Grading cost
+$1.6k
Net profit
+320%
ROI

While the back centering will likely prevent a pristine 10 from stricter companies like BGS (who scrutinize subgrades heavily), PSA is known to be more lenient on back centering (allowing up to 75/25 for a 10). If the grader overlooks the microscopic corner speck, it could potentially achieve a PSA 10, but a solid PSA 9 is the safest estimate. Given the extreme popularity of Kanto starter Illustration Rares, grading protects the card and establishes its premium condition.

Analysis ConfidenceHigh

Full card analysis completed