Best Graded Banette Cards: Collector & Investor Guide

Why Banette Cards Are Worth Collecting

Banette cards appeal to collectors who like character-driven Pokémon with a darker aesthetic and a smaller, more specialized checklist. Its best cards often feature strong artwork, lower print visibility than marquee species, and EX-era production quality that can be surprisingly tough in high grade. That makes Banette a rewarding target for collectors who want something more distinctive than the usual blue-chip names.

Another reason Banette stands out is era diversity. You can collect early English holofoils from the EX period, Japanese-exclusive releases, and modern ultra rares without leaving the character's core identity behind. For graded collectors, that creates a fun crossover between nostalgia, artwork appreciation, and genuine slab scarcity.

What Makes a Graded Banette Card Valuable?

• Grade (PSA 10 commands highest premiums)
• Set and era (vintage vs modern sets)
• Rarity and print run
• Population report scarcity
• Recent sold comps on eBay
• Japanese vs English versions
• PSA 10 vs raw comparison

The Best Graded Banette Cards to Collect

1. Banette ex. EX Dragon 85/97

Banette ex from EX Dragon is the card most advanced Banette collectors eventually circle back to. It is the flagship English Banette from the EX era, and like many ex cards from 2003, it can be difficult to find with clean surfaces, strong centering, and minimal edge wear. In a PSA 10 holder, it becomes a true centerpiece for a Banette collection.

English copies tend to get the most attention from EX-era set builders, while Japanese collectors may focus more on adjacent ADV-era printings. If you are buying one, look closely for holo scratching and back whitening, since those flaws can sharply affect grading outcomes.

2. Banette ex. EX Emerald 86/106

Banette ex from EX Emerald is another core chase card and a strong alternative to EX Dragon. It has the same broad appeal of an EX-era ultra rare but comes from a set that many collectors revisit for Hoenn nostalgia, giving it consistent crossover demand from character collectors and set collectors alike.

In graded form, this card benefits from clean foil and sharp corners, both of which are often compromised on raw copies. Japanese and English buyers may value different artwork and era preferences, but for English Banette collectors, this is one of the essential slabs.

3. Banette. EX Deoxys 1/107

EX Deoxys gave Banette one of its most important non-ex holo appearances. As a holo rare from a highly respected EX-era set, it checks several boxes at once: difficult condition, nostalgic set recognition, and real appeal for collectors who want early Banette cards without paying ex-card prices.

A PSA 10 copy is especially attractive because EX Deoxys holos are not easy to grade perfectly. For buyers on a budget, lower grades can still offer strong collector value, but gem mint examples carry the premium that serious EX-era slab collectors usually want.

4. Banette. EX Emerald 4/106

This holo rare from EX Emerald is often overshadowed by Banette ex in the same set, which can create opportunity for value-minded collectors. It is still an important early English Banette card, and high-grade examples can be tougher than many people assume because the holo and edges are prone to visible wear.

Collectors who enjoy pairing cards by set often pursue both the holo rare and the ex together. That makes PSA 10 copies particularly appealing as part of a matched Emerald Banette display.

5. Banette. Power Keepers 4/108

Banette from Power Keepers is a late EX-series holo that benefits from the popularity of the closing set in the era. Power Keepers has a loyal following, and character holos from the set are often collected both individually and as part of full EX-era holo runs.

Because it is a later print, some collectors expect gem mint copies to be easy, but that is not always true in practice. Print lines, silvering, and minor edge wear can still hold grades back, so certified PSA 10 copies are more attractive than raw near-mint listings suggest.

6. Banette. Great Encounters 31/106

Great Encounters marked Banette's transition into the Diamond & Pearl era, and this card gives collectors a relatively accessible but still meaningful graded target. It is not as iconic as the EX-era holos, but it matters for anyone building a full Banette card timeline.

In PSA 10, this card appeals most to registry-minded collectors and character specialists. It is also a good entry point for newer buyers who want a slabbed Banette without immediately jumping into more expensive EX-era holos or ex cards.

7. Banette. Secret Wonders 19/132

Banette from Secret Wonders is one of the stronger Diamond & Pearl-era options for collectors who appreciate darker artwork and classic holo presentation. It is an era card that can be easy to overlook, but graded character collectors often value these mid-period holos once they begin assembling deeper species runs.

If you are comparing raw and graded copies, focus on holo scratches and corner wear. Japanese collectors may favor other era-specific releases, but for English Banette checklists, this remains a worthwhile slab target.

8. Banette GX. Celestial Storm 66/168

Banette GX brought the Pokémon into the modern ultra-rare era and gave collectors a new flagship card type to chase. Celestial Storm is a popular Sun & Moon set with strong Hoenn connections, so Banette GX benefits from both character appeal and set nostalgia.

PSA 10 copies are usually pursued by modern collectors who want cleaner, more liquid slabs than older EX-era cards. It is generally easier to grade than early-2000s releases, but modern buyers should still watch for centering and factory edge issues.

9. Banette GX Full Art. Celestial Storm 157/168

The full-art Banette GX is arguably the best modern Banette card for display collectors. Full-art texture, richer presentation, and stronger visual shelf appeal make it a natural choice for PSA 10 buyers who want a Banette slab that stands out immediately.

Compared with the regular GX, the full art typically carries more collector prestige. English copies are the natural pick for set builders, while Japanese equivalents can appeal to buyers who prefer sharper print quality and lower-pop modern aesthetics.

10. Banette GX Secret Rare. Celestial Storm 159/168

For many modern Banette collectors, this secret rare is the top contemporary chase. Secret rares generally get stronger long-term attention than standard ultra rares, and Banette's smaller collector base can make high-grade copies feel more specialized and appealing than more common modern hits.

As with many Sun & Moon secret rares, the difference between raw near mint and PSA 10 can be substantial when the market is active. If you want the cleanest modern Banette centerpiece without moving into older condition-sensitive eras, this is a very strong choice.

Vintage vs Modern Banette Cards

Banette's earliest major cards from the EX era tend to be the strongest long-term collector pieces because they combine lower surviving gem-mint supply, higher condition sensitivity, and deeper nostalgia for Hoenn-era collectors. Modern Banette cards, especially the Celestial Storm GX trio, are usually more affordable and easier to source in high grade, making them attractive for newer collectors or anyone who wants display-friendly slabs with lower entry cost. In practice, the best Banette portfolio often blends both eras.

How to Track Banette Card Prices

Use eBay sold listings, PriceCharting, and PSA pop reports to gauge value. Slabfolio lets you look up graded card prices, upload your slab, and track your portfolio in one place.

FAQ

What is the rarest Banette card?

Among English releases, Banette ex from EX Dragon is one of the toughest and most desirable Banette cards in high grade. Japanese-exclusive and lower-pop niche releases can also be scarce, but EX-era gem-mint copies are usually the hardest collector targets.

Is PSA 10 Banette worth buying?

Yes, if you are focusing on character collecting, Hoenn nostalgia, or lower-population species outside the usual headline Pokémon. PSA 10 examples are especially attractive for EX-era Banette cards where condition scarcity matters.

How do I find Banette card prices?

Check eBay sold listings for real transaction data, compare raw versus graded results on PriceCharting, and review PSA population reports to understand supply. Slabfolio is useful for tracking multiple Banette slabs in one portfolio.