Is Yao Ming [Chrome Gold Refractor] #1 worth grading?

Basketball · Basketball Cards 2003 Bowman · full price guide →

Grading rarely pays for this card

Grade 8 copies of Yao Ming [Chrome Gold Refractor] #1 sell for $11.61, only $9.61 above the $2.00 raw price — less than an economy-tier grading fee. Keep it raw unless you are grading for the slab itself.

Raw (NM): $2.00
Grade 8: $11.61
Gem premium: 5.8×
As of: Sep 4, 2026

Break-even by outcome and fee

Yao Ming [Chrome Gold Refractor] #1: 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 8	$11.61	−$15.39	−$40.39	−$140
PSA 8	$11.61	−$15.39	−$40.39	−$140

Net = sale price − $2.00 raw value − fee. Fee tiers are illustrative; plug your grader's current price into the calculator below.

Full grade ladder

Raw conditions & history →

Yao Ming [Chrome Gold Refractor] #1 graded prices by company and grade
Grade	Graded
8	$11.61

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 2003 Bowman cards worth checking

Full set checklist →

LeBron James [Gold] #123

Raw $1000PSA 10 $13,744

LeBron James #123

Raw $526PSA 10 $5,319

$LeBron James [Chrome Refractor] #123 2003 Bowman card$

LeBron James [Chrome Refractor] #123

Raw $10,749PSA 10 $100,000

$LeBron James [Chrome Xfractor] #123 2003 Bowman card$

LeBron James [Chrome Xfractor] #123

Raw $11,975Graded $33,278

Kobe Bryant [Chrome Gold Refractor] #100

Raw $1,025Graded $6,547

$Kobe Bryant [Chrome Refractor] #100 2003 Bowman card$

Kobe Bryant [Chrome Refractor] #100