![Terry Kirby [Refractor] #285 (Football Cards 1996 Topps Finest) — is it worth grading?](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/MZMAAeSwjsNpVRBe/s-l1600.jpg)
Is Terry Kirby [Refractor] #285 worth grading?
Football · Football Cards 1996 Topps Finest · full price guide →
Grading rarely pays for this card
Grade 9.5 copies of Terry Kirby [Refractor] #285 sell for $20.00, only $7.51 above the $12.49 raw price — less than an economy-tier grading fee. A PSA 9 ($18.06) only about breaks even after fees, so the case rests on gemming. Keep it raw unless you are grading for the slab itself.
- Raw (NM)
- $12.49
- Grade 9.5
- $20.00
- PSA 9
- $18.06
- Gem premium
- 1.6×
- As of
- Sep 4, 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 | $20.00 | −$17.49 | −$42.49 | −$142 |
| PSA 9 | $18.06 | −$19.43 | −$44.43 | −$144 |
Net = sale price − $12.49 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% | $18.54 | −$43.95 |
| 50% | $19.03 | −$43.46 |
| 75% | $19.52 | −$42.98 |
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 1996 Topps Finest cards worth checking
Full set checklist →![Steve Young [Refractor] #320 1996 Topps Finest card](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/2k0AAOSw8zJm2JDo/s-l500.jpg)
![Emmitt Smith [Refractor] #265 1996 Topps Finest card](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/SFwAAeSwT-tplJaW/s-l500.jpg)
![Brian Dawkins [Refractor w/Coating] #344 1996 Topps Finest card](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/hd8AAeSwO8ZpdjdM/s-l500.jpg)
![Brian Dawkins [Refractor] #344 1996 Topps Finest card](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/OgUAAeSwzEZqL~zM/s-l500.jpg)
![Mike Alstott [Refractor] #335 1996 Topps Finest card](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/o6sAAeSw8s9pclhu/s-l500.jpg)
Grading Terry Kirby [Refractor] #285 — FAQ
Is Terry Kirby [Refractor] #285 worth grading?
Grade 9.5 copies of Terry Kirby [Refractor] #285 sell for $20.00, only $7.51 above the $12.49 raw price — less than an economy-tier grading fee. A PSA 9 ($18.06) only about breaks even after fees, so the case rests on gemming. Keep it raw unless you are grading for the slab itself.
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.
