Is Tim Elko [Refractor] #USC79 worth grading?
Baseball · Baseball Cards 2025 Topps Chrome Update · full price guide →
Worth grading only if it gems
A PSA 10 Tim Elko [Refractor] #USC79 brings $36.29 versus $1.47 raw — a $34.82 spread that covers an economy-tier ~$25 grading fee. A PSA 9 ($12.27) only about breaks even after fees, so the case rests on gemming.
- Raw (NM)
- $1.47
- PSA 10
- $36.29
- PSA 9
- $12.27
- Gem premium
- 25×
- 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 — PSA 10 | $36.29 | +$9.82 | −$15.18 | −$115 |
| PSA 9 | $12.27 | −$14.20 | −$39.20 | −$139 |
| PSA 8 | $6.32 | −$20.15 | −$45.15 | −$145 |
Net = sale price − $1.47 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% | $18.27 | −$33.20 |
| 50% | $24.28 | −$27.19 |
| 75% | $30.29 | −$21.18 |
At the standard fee this submission does not break even at any realistic gem rate unless the miss lands above the 9 price.
Which grader pays the most — and what a 10 takes
All centering standards →| Grader | 10 sells for | vs best | Front centering for a 10 | Back |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BGS 10 | $47.00 | best | 55/45 | 70/30 |
| PSA 10 | $36.29 | −$10.71 | 55/45 | 75/25 |
| CGC 10 | $22.00 | −$25.00 | 55/45 | 75/25 |
| SGC 10 | $22.00 | −$25.00 | 55/45 | 75/25 |
Tolerances are each company's published centering standard for its top grade; surface, corners and edges must also be clean. Centering is the one you can measure yourself before you pay.
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Should I pay this?
Enter the seller’s asking price to see your net outcome per grade.
Other 2025 Topps Chrome Update cards worth checking
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Grading Tim Elko [Refractor] #USC79 — FAQ
Is Tim Elko [Refractor] #USC79 worth grading?
A PSA 10 Tim Elko [Refractor] #USC79 brings $36.29 versus $1.47 raw — a $34.82 spread that covers an economy-tier ~$25 grading fee. A PSA 9 ($12.27) only about breaks even after fees, so the case rests on gemming.
How much is a PSA 10 Tim Elko [Refractor] #USC79 worth compared with raw?
A PSA 10 Tim Elko [Refractor] #USC79 (Baseball Cards 2025 Topps Chrome Update) sells for about $36.29 versus $1.47 for a raw near-mint copy — a 25× premium as of Sep 3, 2026.
Which grading company is best for Tim Elko [Refractor] #USC79?
By resale value, BGS 10 leads at $47.00, ahead of PSA 10 at $36.29. Fees and turnaround differ, so the best-paying label is not always the best net.
What centering does Tim Elko [Refractor] #USC79 need for a BGS 10?
BGS publishes 55/45 front and 70/30 back centering as the tolerance for a 10 (Gem Mint). Off-center copies are capped below the top grade regardless of surface — measure yours before paying the fee.
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