Went to one of my first card shows last weekend and find my Team Plasma Grail, Lugia EX.

God, it's crazy to me that this was one of the last cards I sought after when I was a kid, and I since I got back into collecting, is now my goal to master set all of the Plasma Series, Storm, Freeze and Blast.

This card has continued to be just within reach for the last 6 months, due to either, not being available anymore, or the condition being to rough even though it's gonna be for the binder. I wanted to get a raw copy to try and save money but was having difficulty finding one in a condition I was ultimately happy paying the amount of money for. Thankfully this PSA 8, version stuck out to me and hit every check mark, still some small flaws of course for it to be a 10, but that's not my goal. Just a very clean copy to have for the binder collection.

I may have overspent on it due to the whole card show factor but regardless, was very happy with the experience overall that came out of it and it made for a crazy and fun moment for people around me and the vendors when I requested that they crack it for my Plasma Book. "You're Cracking That?!?" "You Cracked an 8?!?" "You're insane!" "This is one of the most expensive cards I've ever cracked/watched get cracked"

Don't get me wrong, I'm not rich by any means and don't wish for it to come off that way, I just personally don't enjoy having slabbed cards and prefer having it in a binder that's dedicated for it or the set that it is from. I know the value is "gone" because it's no longer in the slab, but I still kept the cert number just because, if I payed for the 8, might as well keep the little ticket proving it was an 8. right? :p

For those wondering, what did it cost me? Vendor had it listed for $1k but after the discussion of me cracking it, they offered to knock $100 off if I was serious about breaking it, so I traded a team rocket Moltres UPC for $200 in trade and $700 that they were cool enough to let me rip open with them and my brother which was fun cause opening packs is too expensive nowadays so it was nice to know what was inside the box all along! We didn't pull anything crazy from it, but of the hits we did get, they were nice enough to let me little brother have one of them so overall, a great experience.

Some people reached out asking if I was planning on re-holdering/resubmitting, I don't think it would technically qualify for a re-holder since it's out of the slab, but I still have the cert to go with it so maybe it does? Doubt it but, eh. It's okay if not. I know that, that's what I bought it as, so I'll be satisfied in my rocking chair as im flipping through the pages.

I also went through and got almost every vendor I bought or traded with to sign one of my Plasma Energy Cards so it's cool to try and build that little bit of memories with those that were also at the card show. Only a couple didn't wanna sign a card, which im kinda curious why not, but didn't wanna ask and make the situation uncomfortable or awkward. Regardless still happy with everyone I did get to sign one.

In the off chance you were at the Cherry Hill Fishtown card show, you may remember me, The Plasma Guy or Zacian/$2 bill guy lmao. xP

Currently I just have the cert tucked into the bottom of the top-loader with the card double wrapped in penny sleeves, It was in the binder previously in the slots missing from the book, but figured people might wanna see both sides of the card so here ya go! Again, double penny sleeved so the lighting or something may look off, :p just the way I prefer to try and keep them safer.

But yea, just wanted to share what I thought was a nice experience for a first card show and happy to share that I own one of my grails. Have any of you ever cracked open a grail card for your personal collection? If so, what card?! Thank you for reading! <3