Is Aldon Smith [Gold] #178 worth grading?
Football · Football Cards 2011 Topps · full price guide →
Grading rarely pays for this card
Grade 9.5 copies of Aldon Smith [Gold] #178 sell for $15.00, only $13.09 above the $1.91 raw price — less than an economy-tier grading fee. A PSA 9 ($13.50) only about breaks even after fees, so the case rests on gemming. Keep it raw unless you are grading for the slab itself.
- Raw (NM)
- $1.91
- Grade 9.5
- $15.00
- PSA 9
- $13.50
- Gem premium
- 7.9×
- As of
- Sep 3, 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 | $15.00 | −$11.91 | −$36.91 | −$137 |
| PSA 9 | $13.50 | −$13.41 | −$38.41 | −$138 |
Net = sale price − $1.91 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% | $13.88 | −$38.03 |
| 50% | $14.25 | −$37.66 |
| 75% | $14.63 | −$37.28 |
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 →Run your own numbers
Should I pay this?
Enter the seller’s asking price to see your net outcome per grade.
Other 2011 Topps cards worth checking
Full set checklist →
![Tom Brady [Red Jersey] #400 2011 Topps card](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/DREAAOSwytllKrjG/s-l500.jpg)
![New England Patriots [Gold] #346 2011 Topps card](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/ipwAAeSws1BqsnEd/s-l500.jpg)
Grading Aldon Smith [Gold] #178 — FAQ
Is Aldon Smith [Gold] #178 worth grading?
Grade 9.5 copies of Aldon Smith [Gold] #178 sell for $15.00, only $13.09 above the $1.91 raw price — less than an economy-tier grading fee. A PSA 9 ($13.50) only about breaks even after fees, so the case rests on gemming. Keep it raw unless you are grading for the slab itself.
Best on iPhone & Android
Check your football 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.
