A PSA 5 example, a PSA 9 example and a PSA 10 example are best understood from PSA’s own grade descriptions. This guide sets out PSA’s published standards for Gem Mint 10, Mint 9 and the grade 5 tier, then shows Japanese Pokemon cards graded PSA 10 from different sets to illustrate the top of the scale.
Every card pictured is a PSA 10 listing. The pictures illustrate the top of the scale only, and nothing here is a grade assessment of a raw card.
- PSA describes Gem Mint 10 as “a virtually perfect card,” with front centering within approximately 55/45 percent.
- Japanese PSA 10 examples run from ¥4,177 (~$27) (Galarian Obstagoon AR) to ¥386,250 (~$2,508) (Iris SR, BW9 082/076).
- USD figures convert at ¥154/USD and are approximate.
PSA 10: Gem Mint
PSA’s standards page describes the top grade in these words: “A PSA Gem Mint 10 card is a virtually perfect card. Attributes include four perfectly sharp corners, sharp focus and full original gloss. A PSA Gem Mint 10 card must be free of staining of any kind, but an allowance may be made for a slight printing imperfection, if it doesn’t impair the overall appeal of the card. The image must be centered on the card within a tolerance not to exceed approximately 55/45 percent on the front, and 75/25 percent on the reverse.”
The page adds a centering note: at the grader’s sole discretion, a small variance may be permitted on occasion based on the card’s overall eye appeal. Our PSA 10 meaning guide covers the same standard.
PSA 9: Mint
According to PSA’s published standards, a Mint 9 card appears to exhibit all the attributes of a Gem Mint 10 card but shows one minor flaw on closer examination: a very slight wax stain on the reverse, a minor printing imperfection or slightly off-white borders.
The wording comes from PSA’s own grading article. Its centering figures for the top grade differ from the current standards page, so for Gem Mint 10 this guide uses only the figures on the current Gem Mint 10 page; the older figures quoted for grade 5 are attributed to PSA’s grading article where they appear. For a side-by-side comparison of the two grades, see our PSA 9 vs PSA 10 article.
The description of a 9 is built on the 10: the same attributes with one minor flaw. That is why a scan of a slab is a poor substitute for the label and the description above.
PSA 5: Excellent
PSA’s grading article describes the grade 5 tier (EX 5) in visibly different terms: very minor rounding of corners is becoming evident, surface wear or printing defects are more visible, there may be minor chipping on edges, loss of original gloss is more apparent, the focus of the picture may be slightly out of register, and several light scratches may be visible on close inspection without detracting from the card’s appeal. The card may show some off-whiteness of the borders.
For centering, that article gives 85/15 or better on the front and 90/10 or better on the back. The article is dated March 27, 1996, so treat its figures as PSA’s older published wording. A PSA 5 example, in other words, is a card with visible wear that PSA describes in the standards, and it is not a card that is simply a little worse than a 10.
The condition guide for Japanese cards explains raw-card condition terms next to the PSA scale.
Japanese PSA 10 Examples
The four listings below are Japanese prints from different sets, each in a PSA 10 slab. They illustrate the top of the scale; the grade does not tell you which set or era a card is from.
| Card | Number | Set | Listed price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Galarian Obstagoon AR | M2a 209/193 | High Class Pack “MEGA Dream ex” | ¥4,177 (~$27) |
| Charizard ex SAR | 134/108 | set not given in the listing title | ¥63,565 (~$413) |
| Celebi : Old Back | PRMF-3 No.251 | Pokemon Card neo “Premium File 3” | ¥250,290 (~$1,625) |
| Iris SR | BW9 082/076 | Expansion Pack “Megalo Cannon” | ¥386,250 (~$2,508) |
Reading the Slab and the Label
PSA’s trading card grading page states that the card’s grade and certification number are displayed on the PSA LightHouse label, and that each card is placed in its own sonically sealed, tamper-evident case. When you compare a listing with the standards above, the label is the reference: card name, number and grade as PSA recorded them.
PSA Japan’s site describes its grading standard as worldwide-unified (世界標準のグレーディング基準), and the PSA Japan label and service article explains what “graded in Japan” means for a label. For textured rarities, the textured cards article lists which Japanese rarities carry a surface pattern, and the grading guide compares PSA with BGS and CGC.
Where to Buy PSA 10 Cards from Japan
Browse the PSA 10 collection or scan the PSA 10 card list page for names and numbers. Sourcing requests for a specific card go through Quick Order.
- Galarian Obstagoon AR PSA 10: ¥4,177 (~$27)
- Charizard ex SAR 134/108 PSA 10: ¥63,565 (~$413)
- Celebi Old Back PRMF-3 PSA 10: ¥250,290 (~$1,625)
- Iris SR BW9 082/076 PSA 10: ¥386,250 (~$2,508)
USD figures convert at ¥154/USD and are approximate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a PSA 10 mean?
PSA describes a Gem Mint 10 as a virtually perfect card with four perfectly sharp corners, sharp focus and full original gloss, free of staining of any kind, with front centering within approximately 55/45 percent.
What is the difference between PSA 9 and PSA 10?
According to PSA’s published standards, a Mint 9 shows all the attributes of a Gem Mint 10 but with one minor flaw: a very slight wax stain on the reverse, a minor printing imperfection or slightly off-white borders.
What does a PSA 5 look like?
PSA’s grading article describes the grade 5 tier as having very minor rounding of corners, more visible surface wear or printing defects, possible minor edge chipping, more apparent loss of gloss and possible off-white borders.
Do you show PSA 5 or PSA 9 examples of Japanese cards?
No. The graded Japanese singles pictured in this guide are all PSA 10 listings, and the wording for 9 and 5 comes from PSA’s published standards.
Where can I see Japanese PSA 10 cards?
Our PSA 10 collection and the PSA 10 card list page show the Japanese singles we currently list, with a product page for each card.
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