![VJ Edgecombe [1st Day Issue] #253 (Basketball Cards 2025 Topps Chrome) — is it worth grading?](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/GeIAAeSweFNqoFmZ/s-l1600.jpg)
Is VJ Edgecombe [1st Day Issue] #253 worth grading?
Basketball · Basketball Cards 2025 Topps Chrome · full price guide →
Worth grading — even a PSA 9 beats raw
A Grade 9.5 VJ Edgecombe [1st Day Issue] #253 sells for $3,220 against $29.99 raw: a $3,190 spread, 107× the ungraded price. Even a PSA 9 ($2,927) 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)
- $29.99
- Grade 9.5
- $3,220
- PSA 9
- $2,927
- Gem premium
- 107×
- 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 | $3,220 | +$3,165 | +$3,140 | +$3,040 |
| PSA 9 | $2,927 | +$2,872 | +$2,847 | +$2,747 |
Net = sale price − $29.99 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% | $3,000 | +$2,920 |
| 50% | $3,074 | +$2,994 |
| 75% | $3,147 | +$3,067 |
Even a miss (a 9) beats selling raw after the standard fee — the gem rate only decides how much you win by.
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 2025 Topps Chrome cards worth checking
Full set checklist →![Cooper Flagg [RayWave Red Refractor] #251 2025 Topps Chrome card](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/GAIAAeSw5NJqkYcz/s-l500.jpg)
Grading VJ Edgecombe [1st Day Issue] #253 — FAQ
Is VJ Edgecombe [1st Day Issue] #253 worth grading?
A Grade 9.5 VJ Edgecombe [1st Day Issue] #253 sells for $3,220 against $29.99 raw: a $3,190 spread, 107× the ungraded price. Even a PSA 9 ($2,927) 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 basketball 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.
