Is Walter Abercrombie #286 worth grading?
Football · Football Cards 1987 Topps · full price guide →
Worth grading only if it gems
A Grade 9.5 Walter Abercrombie #286 brings $28.00 versus $1.51 raw — a $26.49 spread that covers an economy-tier ~$25 grading fee. A PSA 9 ($25.28) only about breaks even after fees, so the case rests on gemming.
- Raw (NM)
- $1.51
- Grade 9.5
- $28.00
- PSA 9
- $25.28
- Gem premium
- 19×
- 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 | $28.00 | +$1.49 | −$23.51 | −$124 |
| PSA 9 | $25.28 | −$1.23 | −$26.23 | −$126 |
| PSA 8 | $6.59 | −$19.92 | −$44.92 | −$145 |
Net = sale price − $1.51 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% | $25.96 | −$25.55 |
| 50% | $26.64 | −$24.87 |
| 75% | $27.32 | −$24.19 |
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 1987 Topps cards worth checking
Full set checklist →
Grading Walter Abercrombie #286 — FAQ
Is Walter Abercrombie #286 worth grading?
A Grade 9.5 Walter Abercrombie #286 brings $28.00 versus $1.51 raw — a $26.49 spread that covers an economy-tier ~$25 grading fee. A PSA 9 ($25.28) only about breaks even after fees, so the case rests on gemming.
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.
