Is Calvin Johnson [Gold Refractor] #8 worth grading?

Football · Football Cards 2011 Topps Chrome · full price guide →

Worth grading only if it gems

A Grade 9.5 Calvin Johnson [Gold Refractor] #8 brings $366 versus $315 raw — a $50.92 spread that covers an economy-tier ~$25 grading fee. A PSA 9 ($333) only about breaks even after fees, so the case rests on gemming.

Raw (NM): $315
Grade 9.5: $366
PSA 9: $333
Gem premium: 1.2×
As of: Jul 11, 2026

Break-even by outcome and fee

Calvin Johnson [Gold Refractor] #8: net result of grading versus selling raw, by outcome and fee tier
If it comes back…	Sells for	Economy / bulk (~$25.00)	Standard (~$50.00)	Express (~$150)
Gem — Grade 9.5	$366	+$25.92	+$0.92	−$99.08
PSA 9	$333	−$7.08	−$32.08	−$132

Net = sale price − $315 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?

Calvin Johnson [Gold Refractor] #8: expected value of submitting by gem probability
Chance it gems	Expected sale	Expected net (standard fee)
25%	$341	−$23.83
50%	$350	−$15.58
75%	$358	−$7.33

Break-even gem rate at the standard fee: about 97%. Centering is the usual reason a clean copy misses — measure it before you decide.

Full grade ladder

Raw conditions & history →

Calvin Johnson [Gold Refractor] #8 graded prices by company and grade
Grade	Graded
9.5	$366
9	$333

Run your own numbers

Should I pay this?

Asking priceGrading fee

Enter the seller’s asking price to see your net outcome per grade.

Other 2011 Topps Chrome cards worth checking

Full set checklist →

Tom Brady #20

Raw $8.99PSA 10 $234

$Troy Polamalu [Purple Refractor] #180 2011 Topps Chrome card$

Troy Polamalu [Purple Refractor] #180

Raw $18.88PSA 10 $340

$Tom Brady [Refractor] #20 2011 Topps Chrome card$

Tom Brady [Refractor] #20

Raw $71.00PSA 10 $515

$Tom Brady [Orange Refractor] #20 2011 Topps Chrome card$

Tom Brady [Orange Refractor] #20

Raw $82.50PSA 10 $500

Troy Polamalu [Crystal Atomic Refractor] #180

Raw $48.00PSA 10 $184

Tom Brady [Blue Refractor] #20

Raw $435PSA 10 $689

Grading Calvin Johnson [Gold Refractor] #8 — FAQ

Is Calvin Johnson [Gold Refractor] #8 worth grading?

What gem rate makes grading Calvin Johnson [Gold Refractor] #8 break even?

At a standard ~$50 fee, submitting Calvin Johnson [Gold Refractor] #8 breaks even when it gems about 97% of the time (a miss assumed to sell at the PSA 9 price of $333).

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.

Check my card free