Is Magic Johnson [Green Hoops] #89S-MJ worth grading?
Basketball · Basketball Cards 2025 Topps NBA Hoops 1989 Signature · full price guide →
Worth grading — even a PSA 9 beats raw
A PSA 10 Magic Johnson [Green Hoops] #89S-MJ sells for $483 against $99.63 raw: a $384 spread, 4.9× the ungraded price. Even a PSA 9 ($167) 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)
- $99.63
- PSA 10
- $483
- PSA 9
- $167
- Gem premium
- 4.9×
- 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 — PSA 10 | $483 | +$359 | +$334 | +$234 |
| PSA 9 | $167 | +$41.88 | +$16.88 | −$83.12 |
| PSA 8 | $94.76 | −$29.87 | −$54.87 | −$155 |
Net = sale price − $99.63 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% | $246 | +$96.10 |
| 50% | $325 | +$175 |
| 75% | $404 | +$255 |
Even a miss (a 9) beats selling raw after the standard fee — the gem rate only decides how much you win by.
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 | $628 | best | 55/45 | 70/30 |
| PSA 10 | $483 | −$145 | 55/45 | 75/25 |
| CGC 10 | $290 | −$338 | 55/45 | 75/25 |
| SGC 10 | $290 | −$338 | 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 →Swipe the table for the other grading companies →
Run your own numbers
Should I pay this?
Enter the seller’s asking price to see your net outcome per grade.
Other 2025 Topps NBA Hoops 1989 Signature cards worth checking
Full set checklist →![Kon Knueppel [Green Hoops] #89S-KK 2025 Topps NBA Hoops 1989 Signature card](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/y40AAeSwXeFqm265/s-l500.jpg)
Grading Magic Johnson [Green Hoops] #89S-MJ — FAQ
Is Magic Johnson [Green Hoops] #89S-MJ worth grading?
A PSA 10 Magic Johnson [Green Hoops] #89S-MJ sells for $483 against $99.63 raw: a $384 spread, 4.9× the ungraded price. Even a PSA 9 ($167) 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.
How much is a PSA 10 Magic Johnson [Green Hoops] #89S-MJ worth compared with raw?
A PSA 10 Magic Johnson [Green Hoops] #89S-MJ (Basketball Cards 2025 Topps NBA Hoops 1989 Signature) sells for about $483 versus $99.63 for a raw near-mint copy — a 4.9× premium as of Sep 4, 2026.
Which grading company is best for Magic Johnson [Green Hoops] #89S-MJ?
By resale value, BGS 10 leads at $628, ahead of PSA 10 at $483. Fees and turnaround differ, so the best-paying label is not always the best net.
What centering does Magic Johnson [Green Hoops] #89S-MJ 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.
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.
