Is Joker #5 worth grading?
Entertainment · 1989 Topps Batman Sticker · full price guide →
Worth grading — even a PSA 9 beats raw
A Grade 9.5 Joker #5 sells for $33.00 against $2.47 raw: a $30.53 spread, 13× the ungraded price. Even a PSA 9 ($30.00) 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)
- $2.47
- Grade 9.5
- $33.00
- PSA 9
- $30.00
- Gem premium
- 13×
- 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 — Grade 9.5 | $33.00 | +$5.53 | −$19.47 | −$119 |
| PSA 9 | $30.00 | +$2.53 | −$22.47 | −$122 |
| PSA 8 | $15.17 | −$12.30 | −$37.30 | −$137 |
Net = sale price − $2.47 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% | $30.75 | −$21.72 |
| 50% | $31.50 | −$20.97 |
| 75% | $32.25 | −$20.22 |
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 →| Grade | Graded |
|---|---|
| 9.5 | $33.00 |
| 9 | $30.00 |
| 8 | $15.17 |
Run your own numbers
Should I pay this?
Enter the seller’s asking price to see your net outcome per grade.
Other 1989 Topps Batman Sticker cards worth checking
Full set checklist →Grading Joker #5 — FAQ
Is Joker #5 worth grading?
A Grade 9.5 Joker #5 sells for $33.00 against $2.47 raw: a $30.53 spread, 13× the ungraded price. Even a PSA 9 ($30.00) 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.
Is your entertainment 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.
Check my card free