Probopass Grading and Its Effect on Value and Resale

Probopass card art from Cosmic Eclipse (Masakazu Fukuda) holo variant

Image courtesy of TCGdex.net

Grading Probopass: Value and Resale in the Cosmic Eclipse Era

In the world of Pokémon TCG collecting, a card’s journey from the binder to the showcase shelf often hinges on one especially influential factor: grading. Probopass from the Cosmic Eclipse set (SM12) is a prime case study for how a card’s condition, variant, and format legality can ripple into price and desirability. This Stage 1 Metal-type counterpart to Nosepass carries 130 HP, a sturdy stat line for a mid-era card, and two distinct attacks that reward luck and calculation in equal measure. The first attack, Hard Press, demands a coin flip with a paralyze payoff on heads, while the second, Triple Nose, scales with three coin flips to stack extra damage. It’s the kind of card that appeals to both the casual collector and the meta-minded player, and grading can tilt its appeal from “nice binder piece” to “must-have for the holo collection.” ⚡🔥

Card at a glance: what makes Probopass tick

Set: Cosmic Eclipse (SM12) — a fan-favorite that blends modern mechanics with a rich card-art era.
Rarity: Uncommon, with holo and reverse variants available, adding a layer of visual collectibility.
Stage: Stage 1, evolving from Nosepass, which gives it a space in evolving metal-type lineups.
HP: 130, a respectable figure for a Stage 1 Metal-type Pokémon.
Attacks: Hard Press (Colorless ×3) for 60 with a coin-flip paralysis chance; Triple Nose (Metal ×1, Colorless ×3) for 80+ with coin-flip-driven extra damage.
Weakness/Resistance: Fire ×2 weakness; Psychic −20 resistance.
Retreat: 3 — a bit energy-intensive but workable in metal-deck archetypes.
Illustrator: Masakazu Fukuda, whose crisp linework and metallic palettes pop especially on holo versions.

From a gameplay lens, Probopass encourages a patient, mid-range strategy: leverage its 130 HP against frequent Stage 1 threats, capitalize on the potential paralysis of Hard Press, and supplement damage with Triple Nose when coin-flip fortune cooperates. Its metal typing aligns with a broader metal-theme ecosystem in the era, making it a natural fit for decks that band together multiple metal Pokémon or that seek steady, mid-game pressure. The card’s design language, including Fukuda’s art, also makes it a standout in holo form—the kind of piece fans love to sleeve and show off. 🎴💎

Grading and value: why the condition lifts or sinks resale

Grading transforms collectibles by translating subjective eye-appeal into a standardized score. A Probopass from Cosmic Eclipse can swing in value dramatically between a well-centered, pristine example and a lightly played specimen. The presence of holo or reverse holo variants further compounds this effect: holo copies typically command higher resale than their non-holo counterparts, even when the underlying card data (HP, attacks, weaknesses) is identical. Collectors often equate a top-grade holo with prestige, displayability, and long-term investment potential. ⚡

When you’re evaluating Probopass, consider the grading scale’s impact on the five biggest value drivers: centering, borders and edge wear, surface scratches, any print defects, and the holo surface’s gloss and speckling. A PSA 10 or CGC 9.5 holo could fetch a meaningful premium versus a near-mint 9 or raw copy, especially if the card features flawless holo aesthetics and sharp, undisturbed artwork. The artist’s signature look—Masakazu Fukuda’s metallic tones and crisp lines—can be a selling point that survives grading scrutiny when the holo surface remains pristine. 🔎🎨

Format, legality, and the grading impact on demand

Probopass is marked as Expanded legal but not Standard legal in this dataset, which matters for collectors who track format-driven demand. Expanded-era cards often fetch a broader global audience and can benefit more from professional grading since collectors value long-term storage and display potential—especially for holo variants. In contrast, Standard-legal cards sometimes experience fluctuations tied to current sets and tournament formats. For Probopass, grading quality can be the deciding factor in whether the card moves toward a niche display piece or becomes a reliable, stable part of a modern collection. 🔥

Market snapshot: what graded copies tend to do

Market data from CardMarket and TCGPlayer sheds light on how a graded Probopass might be valued, though it’s important to note that current prices fluctuate with population levels and demand. For non-holo copies, TCGPlayer shows typical price bands around $0.05–$0.17, with occasional spikes up to $1.49 for exceptional listings in the high end of the market. The market price sits around $0.12 on average for standard copies. For holo or reverse holo forms, the data indicates higher activity and more robust pricing: CardMarket presents an average around €0.06 with holo averages around €0.42, while TCGPlayer lists a holo range with higher potential gains (low around $0.20, mid near $0.29, and high approaching $1 in certain listings). These figures illustrate how grading and variant type can tilt a sale from a casual flip to a collectible investment. 💎

Collectors who chase long-term value often compare raw copies against graded copies to estimate premium potential. A well-graded holo Probopass from Cosmic Eclipse could justify the extra cost of a professional grade when the card’s centering and surface are clean, and the holo layer shows minimal swirl or scratches. In the road to resale, condition integrity is king, and buyers are increasingly savvy about the nuances that graders use to determine a final score. 🎮

Practical tips for collectors and investors

Inspect holo surfaces for scratches, whitening, or scuffing under bright light; minor surface imperfections can prevent a top-grade score.
Look for consistent centering, especially on holo cards where border symmetry matters more under grading scrutiny.
Track both the standard and holo pricing trajectories in CardMarket and TCGPlayer to gauge the potential premium for holo variants.
Consider the card’s format eligibility when planning a sale; Expanded-focused pieces may attract different buyers than Standard-only collections.
Pair Probopass with related metal-type cards or Nosepass family cards to emphasize a cohesive deck narrative in a display collection. ⚡🎴

Putting it all together: storytelling through value

Probopass is more than a line on a price sheet; it’s a story of artistry, evolution, and the shared thrill of a coin-flip outcome. Masakazu Fukuda’s holo artwork shines when the card is pristine, and grading can help ensure that the moment is preserved for years of trading, showing, and admiring. For players, the attacks offer tangible in-game utility; for collectors, the card’s rarity, holo status, and Cosmic Eclipse’s beloved place in the era’s lineup create a compelling narrative of growth and nostalgia. The path from Nosepass to Probopass is a small pivot that rewards patience, careful grading, and a love for the tactile glow of holo finish. 💎🔥

To explore more around the retail side and keep your collection moving forward, check out the product link below and consider how a polished holo Probopass could fit into your display case or trade binder.

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