PSA and BGS Grading for Lickitung Pokémon TCG Cards

Lickitung from Jungle base set art by Mitsuhiro Arita

Image courtesy of TCGdex.net

PSA and BGS Grading for Lickitung Pokémon TCG Cards

Grading a classic like Lickitung from the Jungle set is more than a numbers game—it's a story you tell with plastic and pigment. This Jungle card, numbered 38 out of 64 in the base run, captures a colorless, friendly giant with a mischievous tongue—an emblem of late-90s TCG artistry. Illustrated by Mitsuhiro Arita, this Lickitung sits in the Uncommon rarity tier and presents a charming blend of nostalgia and potential investment. Whether you’re chasing PSA’s renowned population data or the distinct subgrades of BGS, understanding how each service evaluates this card helps you decide not only where to submit, but how to interpret the grade once it returns. ⚡🔥

What PSA looks for—and why a Jungle Lickitung matters

Size and Centering: PSA places a premium on consistent centering. Jungle prints can be a touch imprecise due to late-1990s production, so a Lickitung with clean centering around the 60/40 spectrum (or tighter) tends to stand out in a PSA 9 or 10. Cards from this era often showcase edge-caused blemishes that quietly knock a copy down from mint, even if the surface looks pristine. 📏
Edges and Corners: Edge wear or corner nicks are common complaints for Jungle cards. PSA often punishes even minor abrasions, so a Lickitung with sharp corners and minimal whitening has a better shot at a high grade—especially when the surface is near perfect under card-sleeve scrutiny. 🧊
Surface Quality: The glossy surface of a non-holo Jungle print can still show waviness or print lines. PSA asks for a clean surface with no scuffs that would betray the card’s freshness. A well-preserved surface is your best ally in achieving, say, a PSA 9 or, with a little luck, a PSA 10. 🎨
Subgrades (for PSA’s standard view): PSA does not publish four-subgrade results for basic cards in the same way as BGS, but their overall grade benefits from a robust, consistent substructure. For Jungle’s Lickitung, a higher PSA grade reflects a blend of centering, edges, corners, and surface integrity. 🏷️

What BGS brings to the table—and where Lickitung fits

Subgrades and the Black Label aura: Be prepared for BGS to evaluate each of four areas (Centering, Edges, Corners, Surface) on a 1–10 scale. The sum of subgrades appears alongside the overall grade, with a pristine 9.5 or 10 surface often tipping a card toward a coveted Black Label look when all four subgrades shine. This granular feedback is especially appealing for Jungle products, where print quirks can be telling of a card’s journey from pack to display shelf. 🖤
Subgrade signaling: Even a PSA 9 can outpace a BGS 9 if your goal is a clean, well-storied slab with a single numeric mark. Conversely, a BGS 9.5 with near-perfect subgrades—particularly Surface and Edges—can offer a tactile confidence that collectors prize when setting up a display. 🧭
Slab aesthetics: BGS slabs showcase the subgrades and a striking border, which some collectors find more visually informative at a glance. For Jungle prints with minor centering quirks, a solid BGS 9.5 can feel like a sweet spot—strong grade, clear subgrades, and a presentation that shouts “graded.” 💎

Pricing context: what the numbers tell us about graded versus raw

Raw Jungle Lickitung copies are not exorbitant—this card sits in the broader market as a budget-friendly piece for many collectors. Based on current market trends, the Jungle base Lickitung shows modest figures across major platforms: Cardmarket reports an average around EUR 1.24 with a downward low proximate to EUR 0.02 and a trend leaning upward at roughly 0.71. On TCGplayer, first-edition copies list a low of about USD 1.04, a mid around USD 1.99, and a high near USD 5 for standouts, with market at approximately USD 2.45 and directLow around USD 1.06. Unlimited sets present a slightly wider swing, with low around USD 0.09, mid near USD 0.75, and a high close to USD 5.02. These baselines reveal why many collectors consider graded copies—PSA 9/10 or BGS 9.5/10—when the card’s condition and the grade halo align. ⚡

Grading adds a premium, but the strength of that premium depends on the grade achieved and the current demand for Jungle’s Lickitung. A mid-grade PSA 9 or a BGS 9 could still command a modest uplift over raw copies, while a pristine PSA 10 or BGS 9.5 with perfect subgrades will attract a more meaningful premium. The art and the nostalgia factor—Mitsuhiro Arita’s iconic depiction—also contribute to desirability, particularly as Jungle cards continue to be celebrated for their retro charm. 🎯

Collection strategy: balancing nostalgia, display, and value

Condition-first approach: If you’re hunting a display-ready piece for a shelf or portfolio, prioritize surface and centering. Jungle’s Lickitung isn’t a holo-forward powerhouse, but its art and rarity tier can shine when well-preserved. Layered subgrades offer transparency—perfect for a discerning eye. 🧩
Edition and holographic considerations: The Jungle print line includes holo variants, standard prints, and occasional reverse options. While first editions are rare, this card’s automotive value lies more in preservation than rarity alone—especially for a colorless Basic Pokemon card. 🔍
Grading choice: If you want quick, clean presentation with broad market recognition, PSA remains a reliable standard. If you value granular feedback and the aesthetic of a “black label” or clear subgrades, BGS offers a compelling alternative. The choice often hinges on how you plan to display the card and how much you value subgrade clarity. 🧭

Art, lore, and the Joker in Jungle’s deck

Mitsuhiro Arita’s artwork on Lickitung is a reminder of why the Jungle era resonates with fans. The card captures a whimsical, almost cartoonish charm that feels out of time in the modern TCG landscape. For collectors, this makes the grade more than a number; it becomes a story about preservation, presentation, and the shared memory of opening packs in a pre-digital age. The colorless theme, the gentle shading, and the character’s iconic pose all contribute to a lasting appeal that transcends power metrics in play. 🎨

Bottom line for discerning graders and hopeful collectors

Whether you seek a PSA or a BGS slab for this Jungle Lickitung, the path you choose should align with your display goals, budget, and tolerance for nuance in subgrades. This card’s value isn’t just measured in dollars; it’s measured in how effectively your slab communicates the card’s history—backed by a timeless illustration and a 90 HP reminder that even simple creatures can carry big legacies. 💎🎴

Customizable Desk Mouse Pad - One-Sided Print, 3mm Thick Rubber Base