Over the last few decades, Pokemon trading cards have taken the collecting world by storm. And these days, the American or Japanese ones cost exorbitantly more, especially the booster boxes. With more people purchasing Korean cards, it’s starting to gain curiosity regarding grading.
Does PSA grade Korean Pokemon cards? They do, but they relegate it only to the base cards or a few from the Sword; Shield Shiny Star V. This is because it falls under their grading rules for “foreign cards.” What’s more, Korean cards tend to have other ones in their packs that aren’t comparable to the American or Japanese types.
But, even though PSA is iffy in the way of Korean Pokemon cards, it doesn’t mean other grading organizations won’t grade them. TCG or BGS often do. Since the Japanese and American ones are coming to a screeching halt, it’s very much worth it to get them graded,
Can You Grade Korean Pokemon Cards?
Yes, you can grade Korean Pokemon cards. However, it’s probably better to go with TCG or BGS. It seems that more people have luck with them over PSA. PSA will usually grade any of the following base character cards:
- Zapdos
- Weedle
- Water Energy
- Wartortle
- Vulpix
- Voltorb
- Venusaur
- Tangela
- Switch
- Super Potion
- Super Energy Removal
- Staryu
- Starmie
- Squirtle
- Seel
- Scoop Up
- Sandshrew
- Revive
- Rattata
- Raticate
- Rainbow Rare
- Raichu
- Psychic Energy
- Potion
- Porygon
- Ponyta
- Poliwrath
- Poliwhirl
- Poliwag
- Trader
- Flute
- Center
- Breeder
- Pokedex
- PlusPower
- Pikachu
- Pidgey
- Pidgeotto
- Onix
- Ninetales
- Nidorino
- Nidoran M
- Nidoking
- Mewtwo
- Metapod
- Maintenance
- Magneton
- Magnemite
- Magmar
- Magikarp
- Machop
- Machoke
- Machamp
- Lightning Energy
- Lass
- Koffing
- Kakuna
- Kadabra
- Jynx
- Ivysaur
- Item Finder
- Imposter Professor Oak
- Hitmonchan
- Haunter
- Gyarados
- Gust of Wind
- Growlithe
- Grass Energy
- Gastly
- Full Heal
- Fire Energy
- Fighting Energy
- Farfetch’d
- Energy Retrieval
- Energy Removal
- Electrode
- Electabuzz
- Dugtrio
- Drowzee
- Dratini
- Dragonair
- Double Colorless Energy
- Doduo
- Diglett
- Dewgong
- Devolution Spray
- Defender
- Computer Search
- Clefairy
- Charmeleon
- Charmander
- Charizard
- Chansey
- Caterpie
- Bulbasaur
- Blastoise
- Bill
- Beedrill
- Arcanine
- Alakazam
- Abra
Should You Grade Korean Pokemon Cards?
Yes, you should grade Korean Pokemon cards. If you have one you know is highly desirable, such as an original first-edition character card, then you’d be kinda dumb not to. Likewise, when you have a character card that aligns with grading standards and guidelines, definitely get it graded. It certainly won’t hurt.
Standard Grading Criteria
But before you send them off to someplace like PSA for an official grade, you want to ensure the card is pristine. PSA will not grade things like trimming, re-coloring, or tampering. Check the following for the quality that most grading organizations focus on:
- Marks: Ink, writing, pencil, or other impressions left by writing will lower the card’s grade.
- Miscut: If any cards are exhibiting an off-center cut or any other kind of atypical cut, it will affect the grade it gets.
- Off Center: When a card is printed off center, it will receive a numerical grade to reflect the minimum amount allowed.
- Staining: When oil stains, spots from aging, or other imperfections from a substance embedded into the surface, the card will get a numerical grade. This shows the minimum amount of staining allowed.
- Print Defect: Printing lines, ink runs, and other defects that occurred during printing also get a numerical grade denoting the minimum amount of defects allowed.
- Out of Focus: When a card is fuzzy, blurry, out of register, or out of focus, this will affect the grade the card receives. It will get a numerical value that reflects the minimum amount allowed.
PSA Recommends using Card Saver 1’s when submitting cards for grading. To check the current price and availability of Card Saver 1 Sleeves, click here to view the selection on Amazon.
Are PSA-Graded Korean Pokemon Cards Worth Money?
Yes, they are worth money. Not just a little money either, sometimes they can be worth as much if not more than American or Japanese ones. But only the base cards will come with a grade if there is any. So, it will depend on the type of card you have.
No Market for Korean Cards
This is because there isn’t a market or designated sales area for Korean Pokemon cards. It’s not about the quality or the condition of the Korean cards. They don’t follow the same set of rules as American or Japanese. For the most part, Korean cards are out of the loop.
That said, some cards aren’t as clear or crisp among the Korean sets as they are the American or Japanese ones.
Base Character; Original Release
But if it’s a base character card, PSA will grade it. However, they tend to be worth less money than Japanese or American ones.
Samples of Value
For instance, a Korean Pikachu card is valued at around $30. But the Japanese one can be worth as much as $338. However, there are particularly rare Korean Pokemon cards, only found in Korea, that are upwards of $150. And yet, the Korean 2000 first edition Charizard recently sold for $40,000. This is because of their rarity and how sought after they are.
Final Thoughts
While PSA will grade some Korean Pokemon cards, they won’t grade them all. This is basically due to the lack of a market that can abide by the differences between Japanese and American versions. Some people mistakenly believe that Korean cards are poorer quality, but this isn’t true.
Some Pokemon cards from Korea give the Japanese and American versions a run for their money. Plus, Korean cards will base their production on the Japanese. But they have several cards not available in Japanese or English. However, this is what makes some of the Korean ones very valuable and sought-after.
Send your cards into PSA or some other grading organization. It can’t hurt, especially if they’re much desired and in excellent condition. But you may want to contact PSA prior to sending them to make sure they’ll take them. Some people do report mixed results and receive varying responses.