![LaDainian Tomlinson [Blue Refractor] #18 (Football Cards 2009 Topps Finest) — is it worth grading?](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/ZZkAAeSwLeFp1CvK/s-l1600.jpg)
Is LaDainian Tomlinson [Blue Refractor] #18 worth grading?
Football · Football Cards 2009 Topps Finest · full price guide →
Worth grading only if it gems
A PSA 10 LaDainian Tomlinson [Blue Refractor] #18 brings $49.99 versus $19.81 raw — a $30.18 spread that covers an economy-tier ~$25 grading fee. A PSA 9 ($35.75) only about breaks even after fees, so the case rests on gemming.
- Raw (NM)
- $19.81
- PSA 10
- $49.99
- PSA 9
- $35.75
- Gem premium
- 2.5×
- As of
- Jul 11, 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 | $49.99 | +$5.18 | −$19.82 | −$120 |
| PSA 9 | $35.75 | −$9.06 | −$34.06 | −$134 |
Net = sale price − $19.81 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% | $39.31 | −$30.50 |
| 50% | $42.87 | −$26.94 |
| 75% | $46.43 | −$23.38 |
At the standard fee this submission does not break even at any realistic gem rate unless the miss lands above the 9 price.
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 | $65.00 | best | 55/45 | 70/30 |
| PSA 10 | $49.99 | −$15.01 | 55/45 | 75/25 |
| CGC 10 | $30.00 | −$35.00 | 55/45 | 75/25 |
| SGC 10 | $30.00 | −$35.00 | 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 | PSA | CGC | BGS | SGC | Graded |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | $49.99 | $30.00 | $65.00 | $30.00 | — |
| 9.5 | — | — | — | — | $39.00 |
| 9 | — | — | — | — | $35.75 |
Run your own numbers
Should I pay this?
Enter the seller’s asking price to see your net outcome per grade.
Other 2009 Topps Finest cards worth checking
Full set checklist →![Steven Jackson [Blue Refractor] #16 2009 Topps Finest card](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/W4oAAeSwZAxqKKlD/s-l500.jpg)
![Drew Brees [Refractor] #8 2009 Topps Finest card](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/Ox0AAeSwILhp3TJE/s-l500.jpg)
![Aaron Rodgers [Refractor] #22 2009 Topps Finest card](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/qv0AAeSwQ61qPRPD/s-l500.jpg)
Grading LaDainian Tomlinson [Blue Refractor] #18 — FAQ
Is LaDainian Tomlinson [Blue Refractor] #18 worth grading?
A PSA 10 LaDainian Tomlinson [Blue Refractor] #18 brings $49.99 versus $19.81 raw — a $30.18 spread that covers an economy-tier ~$25 grading fee. A PSA 9 ($35.75) only about breaks even after fees, so the case rests on gemming.
How much is a PSA 10 LaDainian Tomlinson [Blue Refractor] #18 worth compared with raw?
A PSA 10 LaDainian Tomlinson [Blue Refractor] #18 (Football Cards 2009 Topps Finest) sells for about $49.99 versus $19.81 for a raw near-mint copy — a 2.5× premium as of Jul 11, 2026.
Which grading company is best for LaDainian Tomlinson [Blue Refractor] #18?
By resale value, BGS 10 leads at $65.00, ahead of PSA 10 at $49.99. Fees and turnaround differ, so the best-paying label is not always the best net.
What centering does LaDainian Tomlinson [Blue Refractor] #18 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.
Is your football 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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