Is Onyx Core worth grading?
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Worth grading only if it gems
A CGC 10 Onyx Core brings $196 versus $144 raw — a $52.75 spread that covers an economy-tier ~$25 grading fee. A PSA 9 ($150) only about breaks even after fees, so the case rests on gemming.
- Raw (NM)
- $144
- CGC 10
- $196
- PSA 9
- $150
- Gem premium
- 1.4×
- As of
- Aug 16, 2026
Break-even by outcome and fee
| If it comes back… | Sells for | Economy / bulk (~$25.00) | Standard (~$50.00) | Express (~$150) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gem — CGC 10 | $196 | +$27.75 | +$2.75 | −$97.25 |
| PSA 9 | $150 | −$18.70 | −$43.70 | −$144 |
Net = sale price − $144 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% | $162 | −$32.09 |
| 50% | $173 | −$20.47 |
| 75% | $185 | −$8.86 |
Break-even gem rate at the standard fee: about 94%. Centering is the usual reason a clean copy misses — measure it before you decide.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CGC 10 | $196 | best | 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 | CGC | Graded |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | $196 | — |
| 9.5 | — | $165 |
| 9 | — | $150 |
Run your own numbers
Should I pay this?
Enter the seller’s asking price to see your net outcome per grade.
Other Sorcery: Contested Realms Alpha cards worth checking
Full set checklist →Grading Onyx Core — FAQ
Is Onyx Core worth grading?
A CGC 10 Onyx Core brings $196 versus $144 raw — a $52.75 spread that covers an economy-tier ~$25 grading fee. A PSA 9 ($150) only about breaks even after fees, so the case rests on gemming.
What centering does Onyx Core need for a CGC 10?
CGC publishes 55/45 front and 75/25 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.
What gem rate makes grading Onyx Core break even?
At a standard ~$50 fee, submitting Onyx Core breaks even when it gems about 94% of the time (a miss assumed to sell at the PSA 9 price of $150).
Is your TCG 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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