Hop's Zacian ex (SV09: Journey Together): PSA 10 $95.01 vs Raw $37.99. Should You Grade?

Name: Hop's Zacian ex (SV09: Journey Together 186/159)
Brand: Pokemon
Price: 37.99 USD
Availability: InStock

Real eBay and TCGPlayer pricing plus a YES/MAYBE/NO verdict for 2026.

SV09: Journey Together · 186/159

Hop's Zacian ex PSA 10 Price (SV09: Journey Together)

Raw / Ungraded

$37.99

PSA 9

$24.50

PSA 10

$95.01

Grade Multiplier

2.5x

PSA 10 / raw

Grading Cost

$25 to $50

PSA Value / Regular

Break-even

Need PSA 10

A PSA 9 at $24.50 does not fully cover the raw cost plus grading fee at PSA Value tier. You need a PSA 10 to profit.

Prices based on recent eBay and TCGPlayer sales via PokeTrace.

Our Verdict

MAYBE

The math works, but only if your copy grades well. At 2.5x raw, a PSA 10 Hop's Zacian ex at $95.01 covers the grading fee with some room left over, but a PSA 9 at $24.50 may not cover the fee. Only submit a copy that you are genuinely confident about after checking centering, corners, edges, and surface.

What Makes This Card Worth Grading (or Not)

Hop's Zacian ex is a Special Illustration Rare (SIR) from SV09: Journey Together. The ex card mechanic returned in the Scarlet and Violet era with significantly better print quality than WOTC-era cards. Ex cards have rich holo treatments that show surface scratches clearly under raking light. The PSA 10 premium of 2.5x reflects collector demand for certified perfect copies.

Before you pay any grading fee:

Snap a photo of Hop's Zacian ex in our free AI grader. It checks centering, corners, edges, and surface in 30 seconds and gives you a PSA-aligned grade prediction. Catch the cards that will come back a PSA 9 before you spend $25+.

Snap a Photo, Get Your Grade

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Pre-Screen Checklist for Hop's Zacian ex

Run this 4-point check before spending $25 on a grading fee. One visible flaw will usually cost you the PSA 10.

Centering

PSA 10 requires 55/45 to 60/40 on the front. Pokemon narrow borders mean a 1 to 2mm shift creates a much worse ratio than on wider sports cards. Measure both the top/bottom and left/right axes. If it is borderline, it will likely drop to a PSA 9.

Corners and edges

The dark blue Pokemon card back makes whitening very visible even under low magnification. Inspect all 4 corners and all 4 edges under a bright direct light. Any soft corner or white edge mark will cap the grade at PSA 9 or lower.

Holo surface (if applicable)

Hold the card at a raking angle under direct light and look for fine scratches in the holo layer. Factory print lines are visible but graded more leniently. Handling scratches drop the grade 1 to 3 levels. This is the most common PSA 10 killer on modern holo cards.

Surface print quality

Look for print spots, focus shifts, or any mark that appears to be on the card surface rather than under the protective film. A single print spot visible to the naked eye will usually cap the grade at PSA 9. Check the entire card face, not just the artwork area.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Hop's Zacian ex worth grading?

Maybe. Hop's Zacian ex from SV09: Journey Together has a PSA 10 value of $95.01 versus $37.99 raw (2.5x multiplier). The profit margin after fees is there but not large. Only submit if you are genuinely confident about the card's condition after a thorough inspection.

What is a PSA 10 Hop's Zacian ex worth?

A PSA 10 (Gem Mint) Hop's Zacian ex from SV09: Journey Together is currently worth $95.01. The raw (ungraded) version sells for $37.99, giving a grade multiplier of 2.5x. A PSA 9 is worth $24.50. Prices are based on recent eBay and TCGPlayer sales data.

How do I pre-screen Hop's Zacian ex before grading?

Before paying $25 to $50 to grade Hop's Zacian ex, check four things: (1) Centering: PSA 10 requires 55/45 to 60/40 on the front; (2) Corners: inspect all 4 under bright light for any whitening or softness; (3) Edges: check all 4 edges for nicks or white marks on the dark blue back; (4) Surface: look for holo scratches or print spots under raking light. Our free AI grader checks all four from a photo in 30 seconds.