![Yao Ming [Gold Refractor] #11 (Basketball Cards 2004 Topps Chrome) — is it worth grading?](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/6t8AAOSw0i5ne6V9/s-l1600.jpg)
Is Yao Ming [Gold Refractor] #11 worth grading?
Basketball · Basketball Cards 2004 Topps Chrome · full price guide →
Worth grading only if it gems
A Grade 9.5 Yao Ming [Gold Refractor] #11 brings $397 versus $360 raw — a $37.39 spread that covers an economy-tier ~$25 grading fee. A PSA 9 ($361) only about breaks even after fees, so the case rests on gemming.
- Raw (NM)
- $360
- Grade 9.5
- $397
- PSA 9
- $361
- Gem premium
- 1.1×
- 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 — Grade 9.5 | $397 | +$12.39 | −$12.61 | −$113 |
| PSA 9 | $361 | −$23.61 | −$48.61 | −$149 |
Net = sale price − $360 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% | $370 | −$39.61 |
| 50% | $379 | −$30.61 |
| 75% | $388 | −$21.61 |
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 | $397 |
| 9 | $361 |
Run your own numbers
Should I pay this?
Enter the seller’s asking price to see your net outcome per grade.
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Grading Yao Ming [Gold Refractor] #11 — FAQ
Is Yao Ming [Gold Refractor] #11 worth grading?
A Grade 9.5 Yao Ming [Gold Refractor] #11 brings $397 versus $360 raw — a $37.39 spread that covers an economy-tier ~$25 grading fee. A PSA 9 ($361) only about breaks even after fees, so the case rests on gemming.
Is your basketball 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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