EN ↔ JP comparison · which version to grade

Grade the Japanese Rayquaza VMAX, or the English one?

Which to grade: Grade the Japanese Sky Stream print: its PSA 10 premium (~2.7×) runs richer than the English Evolving Skies 218 (~2.1×), and the community read is JP roughly 2× the English (a labeled estimate, not asserted). Both have positive EV; the Japanese has the stronger margin. Skip either under PSA 9.

Side-by-side of the same card in both languages. Graded figures are recent sold medians (eBay); raw is the TCGplayer / market reference. Gem rates are labeled estimates. As of 2026-06-28. example/mock data

English Worth grading
Rayquaza VMAX (Alt Art) — English (Evolving Skies #218/203)
Rayquaza VMAX (Alt Art) — English (Evolving Skies #218/203)

Evolving Skies · #218/203 · SSR / alt-art

Raw market
$110
PSA 10 sold
$230 · 14 sold ↑
Gem rate est.
≈ 45%
Break-even
$130
PSA 10 premium
2.1× raw
Expected value
$46.6

Probability-weighted value clears raw + grading with EV $46.6 at a 45% top-grade rate.

No standalone page yet — English figures are reference/mock for this comparison.

Source: recent eBay sold · raw market · as of 2026-06-28 · example/mock

Run your own numbers — Japanese side

The cited answer above is static; this is the interactive tool for the Japanese print. The English side has its own calculator on its card page.

Run your own numbers

Estimates are editable — grading cost is never hardcoded into the verdict. example/mock data

Grade-probability distribution

5 of 10 reach 10
  • 10 45% · ≈5/10
  • 9 42% · ≈4/10
  • ≤8 13% · ≈1/10
Expected value ¥3,520
Break-even graded value ¥20,000
Verdict Worth grading

Probability-weighted value clears raw + grading with EV ¥3,520 at a 45% top-grade rate.

Batch & timing

Total invested¥20,000
Total expected value¥3,520
Aggregate ROI18%
Top-grade sales to recover1
Est. time to sell-through≈ 3 days

Sell-through time is a rough estimate from recent sold velocity — not a promise.

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