Is Joe Jacoby #183 worth grading?
Football · Football Cards 1985 Topps · full price guide →
Worth grading — even a PSA 9 beats raw
A Grade 9.5 Joe Jacoby #183 sells for $36.00 against $1.67 raw: a $34.33 spread, 22× the ungraded price. Even a PSA 9 ($32.99) clears the raw price after an economy-tier ~$25 fee, so a near-miss still comes out ahead. Centering is the usual reason a clean copy misses the 10 — measure it before you submit.
- Raw (NM)
- $1.67
- Grade 9.5
- $36.00
- PSA 9
- $32.99
- Gem premium
- 22×
- As of
- Sep 3, 2026
Break-even by outcome and fee
| If it comes back… | Sells for | Economy / bulk (~$25.00) | Standard (~$50.00) | Express (~$150) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gem — Grade 9.5 | $36.00 | +$9.33 | −$15.67 | −$116 |
| PSA 9 | $32.99 | +$6.32 | −$18.68 | −$119 |
| PSA 8 | $11.47 | −$15.20 | −$40.20 | −$140 |
Net = sale price − $1.67 raw value − fee. Fee tiers are illustrative; plug your grader's current price into the calculator below.
Expected value — how often does it need to gem?
| Chance it gems | Expected sale | Expected net (standard fee) |
|---|---|---|
| 25% | $33.74 | −$17.93 |
| 50% | $34.50 | −$17.17 |
| 75% | $35.25 | −$16.42 |
At the standard fee this submission does not break even at any realistic gem rate unless the miss lands above the 9 price.
Full grade ladder
Raw conditions & history →Run your own numbers
Should I pay this?
Enter the seller’s asking price to see your net outcome per grade.
Other 1985 Topps cards worth checking
Full set checklist →
Grading Joe Jacoby #183 — FAQ
Is Joe Jacoby #183 worth grading?
A Grade 9.5 Joe Jacoby #183 sells for $36.00 against $1.67 raw: a $34.33 spread, 22× the ungraded price. Even a PSA 9 ($32.99) clears the raw price after an economy-tier ~$25 fee, so a near-miss still comes out ahead. Centering is the usual reason a clean copy misses the 10 — measure it before you submit.
Best on iPhone & Android
Check your football card in the Midpoint app
Scan with your camera to measure centering to the millimeter, get an AI grade with corner and edge close-ups, see what your copy is worth, and track it in your portfolio. Free to start.
