Are Reverse Holos Worth Grading?

Reverse holos get pulled from packs constantly. Most collectors stack them in a pile and forget about them. But there's a niche market for graded reverse holos that might surprise you.

What Makes a Reverse Holo Different

A reverse holo has the holographic pattern on the card body rather than the artwork. The artwork is printed normally while everything around it (the border, the text box, the card name) has a foil or holographic finish. Every pack typically contains one reverse holo alongside a rare card.

When Reverse Holos Are Worth Grading

Popular Pokémon: Reverse holos of Charizard, Pikachu, Eevee and its evolutions, and fan favourites always have some demand. A graded 10 reverse holo Charizard from a modern set can sell for £15 to £30 when the raw card is worth £2 to £3. The margins are thin after grading costs, but they exist if you're submitting as part of a bulk order.

Older reverse holos: Reverse holos from the e-Reader era (Expedition, Aquapolis, Skyridge) are genuinely valuable. These sets are scarce and the reverse holo patterns from that era are different from anything printed since. High-grade copies command serious money.

Stamped reverse holos: Some reverse holos have additional stamps (prerelease, staff, etc.) that make them significantly rarer than standard reverse holos.

When to Skip Grading

Standard reverse holos from modern sets of non-popular Pokémon are not worth grading individually. The raw card is worth pennies and even a graded 10 won't sell for enough to cover the grading fee.

However, if you're already doing a bulk submission and have spare slots, throwing in a few clean reverse holos of popular Pokémon at bulk pricing can make sense. The per-card cost drops enough that the margins become acceptable.

Surface Issues With Reverse Holos

Reverse holos are particularly susceptible to surface scratches because the holographic area covers most of the card. Any scratch on the holo surface is visible and will affect the grade. Inspect reverse holos carefully before submitting. Tilt the card under bright light and look for scratches across the holographic areas.