Is Following the Clue #40 worth grading?
Entertainment · 1989 Topps Batman Reissue · full price guide →
Worth grading — even a PSA 9 beats raw
A Grade 9.5 Following the Clue #40 sells for $65.00 against $2.34 raw: a $62.66 spread, 28× the ungraded price. Even a PSA 9 ($58.95) 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)
- $2.34
- Grade 9.5
- $65.00
- PSA 9
- $58.95
- Gem premium
- 28×
- 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 | $65.00 | +$37.66 | +$12.66 | −$87.34 |
| PSA 9 | $58.95 | +$31.61 | +$6.61 | −$93.39 |
Net = sale price − $2.34 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% | $60.46 | +$8.12 |
| 50% | $61.98 | +$9.64 |
| 75% | $63.49 | +$11.15 |
Even a miss (a 9) beats selling raw after the standard fee — the gem rate only decides how much you win by.
Full grade ladder
Raw conditions & history →| Grade | Graded |
|---|---|
| 9.5 | $65.00 |
| 9 | $58.95 |
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 Reissue cards worth checking
Full set checklist →Grading Following the Clue #40 — FAQ
Is Following the Clue #40 worth grading?
A Grade 9.5 Following the Clue #40 sells for $65.00 against $2.34 raw: a $62.66 spread, 28× the ungraded price. Even a PSA 9 ($58.95) 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