The Hyper Rare variants represent the most significant grading opportunities in this set, with gem rates under 23%—nearly half the set average. Iono’s Bellibolt ex (188/159) and N’s Zoroark ex (189/159) stand out with the lowest PSA 10 populations and gem rates, making raw copies in pristine condition particularly valuable for grading submissions. Among Special Illustration Rares, Volcanion ex (182/159) offers the best opportunity with just 351 PSA 10s in existence.
Complete PSA Population Data (Cards $10+ Raw)
| Card | Card # | Rarity | Raw Price | Total Graded | PSA 10 Count | PSA 10 Gem Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iono’s Bellibolt ex | 188/159 | Hyper Rare | $11.26 | 1,253 | 262 | 20.91% |
| N’s Zoroark ex | 189/159 | Hyper Rare | $14.34 | 1,246 | 279 | 22.39% |
| Volcanion ex | 182/159 | Special Illustration Rare | $20.01 | 1,058 | 351 | 33.18% |
| Iono’s Bellibolt ex | 183/159 | Special Illustration Rare | $41.19 | 2,208 | 760 | 34.42% |
| Hop’s Zacian ex | 186/159 | Special Illustration Rare | $32.14 | 2,098 | 752 | 35.84% |
| Lillie’s Clefairy ex | 184/159 | Special Illustration Rare | $137.36 | 4,230 | 1,494 | 35.34% |
| N’s Zoroark ex | 185/159 | Special Illustration Rare | $65.88 | 2,342 | 883 | 37.70% |
| Articuno | 161/159 | Illustration Rare | $16.05 | 6,469 | 2,429 | 37.55% |
| Salamence ex | 187/159 | Special Illustration Rare | $70.21 | 3,004 | 1,164 | 38.75% |
| N’s Reshiram | 167/159 | Illustration Rare | $13.07 | 4,639 | 1,828 | 39.41% |
| Wailord | 162/159 | Illustration Rare | $10.35 | 4,729 | 1,941 | 41.05% |
Set overall: 163,602 total graded, 34% average gem rate.
Hyper Rares Present the Clearest Population Holes
The two Hyper Rare gold cards show dramatically different grading profiles compared to other rarities. Iono’s Bellibolt ex (188/159) has the lowest gem rate in your entire list at just 20.91%—meaning fewer than 1 in 5 submissions achieve PSA 10. Similarly, N’s Zoroark ex (189/159) sits at 22.39%. Both cards also have the lowest absolute PSA 10 counts at 262 and 279 respectively.
This pattern is typical for Hyper Rares. The gold foil treatment makes edge wear, print lines, and surface imperfections more visible to graders. The grade distribution tells the story: approximately 64% of Iono’s Bellibolt ex Hyper Rares receive PSA 9, with only 21% reaching Gem Mint status. This difficulty curve creates significant premiums for PSA 10 copies when they do exist.
Volcanion ex Dominates the Special Illustration Rare Opportunity Space
Among the six Special Illustration Rares, Volcanion ex (182/159) stands alone as the strategic choice. With only 351 PSA 10 copies in existence and a 33.18% gem rate (the lowest among SIRs), this card combines scarcity with relative grading difficulty. The total population of just 1,058 suggests either lower pull rates or reduced collector interest—both factors that can drive future value if the Pokemon gains competitive relevance or nostalgic appeal.
Contrast this with Lillie’s Clefairy ex at 1,494 PSA 10s or Salamence ex at 1,164. These higher populations mean more supply competing in the marketplace, diluting individual card premiums.
Illustration Rares Show Highest Gem Rates but Massive Populations
The three Illustration Rares—Articuno (161/159), N’s Reshiram (167/159), and Wailord (162/159)—all exceed the set’s 34% average gem rate, ranging from 37.55% to 41.05%. Wailord achieves the highest gem rate at 41.05%, suggesting consistent print quality for this card.
However, these cards have substantially higher total populations. Articuno leads with 6,469 total submissions and 2,429 PSA 10s—roughly 9x more PSA 10s than either Hyper Rare. This abundance reduces scarcity premiums. While these cards may be “easier” to achieve PSA 10, the market dynamics differ significantly from low-population alternatives.
Strategic Grading Recommendations Ranked by Opportunity
Based on the population data, the strongest “holes” for grading raw copies are:
Tier 1 (Highest Opportunity):
- Iono’s Bellibolt ex 188/159 HR
- N’s Zoroark ex 189/159 HR
- Lowest gem rates and smallest PSA 10 populations create maximum scarcity premiums
Tier 2 (Strong Opportunity):
- Volcanion ex 182/159 SIR
- Smallest SIR population with below-average gem rate
Tier 3 (Moderate Opportunity):
- Hop’s Zacian ex 186/159 SIR
- Iono’s Bellibolt ex 183/159 SIR
- Mid-range populations around 750-760 PSA 10s with gem rates under 36%
Tier 4 (Lower Priority):
- Remaining SIRs and all Illustration Rares
- Higher populations reduce scarcity advantage
Conclusion
The data reveals a clear hierarchy: Hyper Rares offer the most compelling grading arbitrage due to their combination of low absolute PSA 10 counts and difficult gem rates. A raw Hyper Rare in excellent condition represents meaningful upside because achieving PSA 10 is genuinely challenging—only about 1 in 5 succeed. Among SIRs, Volcanion ex is the standout opportunity with 3-4x fewer PSA 10s than comparable cards. For collectors seeking to capture value through strategic grading, focusing submission budgets on these population holes rather than high-volume Illustration Rares will likely yield better returns per grading dollar spent.
