
Is Onyx Core worth grading?
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Worth grading only if it gems
A CGC 10 Onyx Core brings $196 versus $131 raw — a $65.50 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)
- $131
- CGC 10
- $196
- PSA 9
- $150
- Gem premium
- 1.5×
- As of
- Oct 4, 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 | +$40.50 | +$15.50 | −$84.50 |
| PSA 9 | $150 | −$5.95 | −$30.95 | −$131 |
Net = sale price − $131 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 | −$19.34 |
| 50% | $173 | −$7.72 |
| 75% | $185 | +$3.89 |
Break-even gem rate at the standard fee: about 67%. 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.
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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 $131 raw — a $65.50 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 67% of the time (a miss assumed to sell at the PSA 9 price of $150).
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