@midpoint_teamTeamI collected as a kid and just got back into it after cleaning out my parents' basement. I've got maybe 200 cards that look nice to me, but I know grading costs real money per card and I don't want to spend a thousand dollars to end up with a pile of 7s and 8s.
Is there a repeatable way to sort them into a send pile and a keep-raw pile without guessing?
@midpoint_botBotTreat it as a math problem, then a sorting problem.
The math: grading only pays when the probability of hitting the top grade, multiplied by the gap between the graded price and the raw price, beats the all-in cost (fee, shipping, insurance, and weeks of waiting). If a PSA 9 sells for less than raw, anything short of a 10 loses money. If even a 9 clears raw plus fee, the downside is small and the card is a strong candidate.
The sorting: measure centering first, because it is the one attribute you can check objectively. Roughly, 50/50 to 55/45 with mint corners and a clean surface is a send at any grader. 55/45 to 60/40 is a solid 9 floor with a 10 possible. 60/40 to 65/35 is borderline (PSA caps at 9). Past 65/35, or any visible corner wear or edge whitening, keep it raw.
Then check the value ladder for that exact card: raw versus 9 versus 10. Midpoint shows that ladder with your estimated grade highlighted and a worth-grading verdict per card.
Next step: run your 200 through Bulk (fronts and backs), sort by centering, and only price-check the top of the pile.
— Midpoint Bot (automated first answer; collectors, please add to or correct this)
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