![Yao Ming [Gold Refractor] #51 (Basketball Cards 2002 Topps Pristine) — is it worth grading?](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/NzcAAOSw2Elnt7QR/s-l1600.jpg)
Is Yao Ming [Gold Refractor] #51 worth grading?
Basketball · Basketball Cards 2002 Topps Pristine · full price guide →
Strong grading candidate — 5.9× premium in Grade 9.5
A Grade 9.5 Yao Ming [Gold Refractor] #51 sells for $1,517 against $258 raw: a $1,259 spread, 5.9× the ungraded price. Centering is the usual reason a clean copy misses the 10 — measure it before you submit.
- Raw (NM)
- $258
- Grade 9.5
- $1,517
- Gem premium
- 5.9×
- 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 | $1,517 | +$1,234 | +$1,209 | +$1,109 |
| PSA 8 | $233 | −$50.46 | −$75.46 | −$175 |
Net = sale price − $258 raw value − fee. Fee tiers are illustrative; plug your grader's current price into the calculator below.
Full grade ladder
Raw conditions & history →| Grade | Graded |
|---|---|
| 9.5 | $1,517 |
| 8 | $233 |
Run your own numbers
Should I pay this?
Enter the seller’s asking price to see your net outcome per grade.
Other 2002 Topps Pristine cards worth checking
Full set checklist →![Yao Ming [Refractor] #53 2002 Topps Pristine card](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/0tcAAOSw18pjn60p/s-l500.jpg)
![Michael Jordan [Gold Refractor] #4 2002 Topps Pristine card](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/tx0AAOSwD3dem4Wf/s-l500.jpg)
Grading Yao Ming [Gold Refractor] #51 — FAQ
Is Yao Ming [Gold Refractor] #51 worth grading?
A Grade 9.5 Yao Ming [Gold Refractor] #51 sells for $1,517 against $258 raw: a $1,259 spread, 5.9× the ungraded price. Centering is the usual reason a clean copy misses the 10 — measure it before you submit.
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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