Is Magic Johnson #244 worth grading?
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Worth grading only if it gems
A PSA 10 Magic Johnson #244 brings $34.99 versus $1.46 raw — a $33.53 spread that covers an economy-tier ~$25 grading fee. A PSA 9 ($12.07) only about breaks even after fees, so the case rests on gemming.
- Raw (NM)
- $1.46
- PSA 10
- $34.99
- PSA 9
- $12.07
- Gem premium
- 24×
- As of
- Jul 11, 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 | $34.99 | +$8.53 | −$16.47 | −$116 |
| PSA 9 | $12.07 | −$14.39 | −$39.39 | −$139 |
| PSA 8 | $6.20 | −$20.26 | −$45.26 | −$145 |
Net = sale price − $1.46 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% | $17.80 | −$33.66 |
| 50% | $23.53 | −$27.93 |
| 75% | $29.26 | −$22.20 |
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 | $45.00 | best | 55/45 | 70/30 |
| PSA 10 | $34.99 | −$10.01 | 55/45 | 75/25 |
| CGC 10 | $21.00 | −$24.00 | 55/45 | 75/25 |
| SGC 10 | $21.00 | −$24.00 | 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.
Full grade ladder
Raw conditions & history →| Grade | PSA | CGC | BGS | SGC | Graded |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | $34.99 | $21.00 | $45.00 | $21.00 | — |
| 9.5 | — | — | — | — | $23.90 |
| 9 | — | — | — | — | $12.07 |
| 8 | — | — | — | — | $6.20 |
Run your own numbers
Should I pay this?
Enter the seller’s asking price to see your net outcome per grade.
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Grading Magic Johnson #244 — FAQ
Is Magic Johnson #244 worth grading?
A PSA 10 Magic Johnson #244 brings $34.99 versus $1.46 raw — a $33.53 spread that covers an economy-tier ~$25 grading fee. A PSA 9 ($12.07) only about breaks even after fees, so the case rests on gemming.
How much is a PSA 10 Magic Johnson #244 worth compared with raw?
A PSA 10 Magic Johnson #244 (Basketball Cards 2025 Topps Chrome) sells for about $34.99 versus $1.46 for a raw near-mint copy — a 24× premium as of Jul 11, 2026.
Which grading company is best for Magic Johnson #244?
By resale value, BGS 10 leads at $45.00, ahead of PSA 10 at $34.99. Fees and turnaround differ, so the best-paying label is not always the best net.
What centering does Magic Johnson #244 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.
Is your basketball card centered well enough to grade?
Centering makes or breaks a PSA 10. Scan any card with Midpoint to measure its exact centering, get a grade estimate, and see what your copy is actually worth.
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