Butterfree VMAX (Secret) (SWSH03: Darkness Ablaze): PSA 10 $89.99 vs Raw $15.97. Should You Grade?

Name: Butterfree VMAX (Secret) (SWSH03: Darkness Ablaze 190/189)
Brand: Pokemon
Price: 15.97 USD
Availability: InStock

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

SWSH03: Darkness Ablaze · 190/189

Butterfree VMAX (Secret) PSA 10 Price (SWSH03: Darkness Ablaze)

Raw / Ungraded

$15.97

PSA 9

$21.50

PSA 10

$89.99

Grade Multiplier

5.6x

PSA 10 / raw

Grading Cost

$25 to $50

PSA Value / Regular

Break-even

Need PSA 10

A PSA 9 at $21.50 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

YES

The numbers clearly favor grading here. At 5.6x raw, a PSA 10 Butterfree VMAX (Secret) sells for $89.99 versus $15.97 raw. After a $25 PSA Value-tier fee, that is a potential $49.02 gain on a Gem Mint result. You need an excellent copy, but the math rewards the effort.

What Makes This Card Worth Grading (or Not)

Butterfree VMAX (Secret) is a VMAX card from SWSH03: Darkness Ablaze. Sword and Shield era V cards have textured holo patterns that can hide minor print lines but amplify surface scratches. The textured VMAX and VSTAR holos require careful inspection under multiple light angles before submitting. PSA 10 results are achievable from fresh packs but not guaranteed.

Before you pay any grading fee:

Snap a photo of Butterfree VMAX (Secret) 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 Butterfree VMAX (Secret)

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 Butterfree VMAX (Secret) worth grading?

Yes. Butterfree VMAX (Secret) from SWSH03: Darkness Ablaze has a PSA 10 value of $89.99 versus $15.97 raw (5.6x multiplier). After a $25 PSA Value-tier fee, a Gem Mint result returns $49.02. The math clearly favors grading if your copy is in good condition.

What is a PSA 10 Butterfree VMAX (Secret) worth?

A PSA 10 (Gem Mint) Butterfree VMAX (Secret) from SWSH03: Darkness Ablaze is currently worth $89.99. The raw (ungraded) version sells for $15.97, giving a grade multiplier of 5.6x. A PSA 9 is worth $21.50. Prices are based on recent eBay and TCGPlayer sales data.

How do I pre-screen Butterfree VMAX (Secret) before grading?

Before paying $25 to $50 to grade Butterfree VMAX (Secret), 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.