Is Willie Mays #244 worth grading?
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Worth grading — even a PSA 9 beats raw
A PSA 10 Willie Mays #244 sells for $291,747 against $1,240 raw: a $290,507 spread, 235× the ungraded price. Even a PSA 9 ($53,680) clears the raw price after an economy-tier ~$25 fee, so a near-miss still comes out ahead. Centering is the usual reason a clean copy misses the 10 — measure it before you submit.
- Raw (NM)
- $1,240
- PSA 10
- $291,747
- PSA 9
- $53,680
- Gem premium
- 235×
- As of
- Sep 4, 2026
Break-even by outcome and fee
| If it comes back… | Sells for | Economy / bulk (~$25.00) | Standard (~$50.00) | Express (~$150) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gem — PSA 10 | $291,747 | +$290,482 | +$290,457 | +$290,357 |
| PSA 9 | $53,680 | +$52,415 | +$52,390 | +$52,290 |
| PSA 8 | $48,800 | +$47,535 | +$47,510 | +$47,410 |
Net = sale price − $1,240 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% | $113,197 | +$111,907 |
| 50% | $172,714 | +$171,424 |
| 75% | $232,231 | +$230,941 |
Even a miss (a 9) beats selling raw after the standard fee — the gem rate only decides how much you win by.
Which grader pays the most — and what a 10 takes
All centering standards →| Grader | 10 sells for | vs best | Front centering for a 10 | Back |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BGS 10 | $379,272 | best | 55/45 | 70/30 |
| PSA 10 | $291,747 | −$87,525 | 55/45 | 75/25 |
| CGC 10 | $175,048 | −$204,224 | 55/45 | 75/25 |
| SGC 10 | $175,048 | −$204,224 | 55/45 | 75/25 |
Tolerances are each company's published centering standard for its top grade; surface, corners and edges must also be clean. Centering is the one you can measure yourself before you pay.
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Grading Willie Mays #244 — FAQ
Is Willie Mays #244 worth grading?
A PSA 10 Willie Mays #244 sells for $291,747 against $1,240 raw: a $290,507 spread, 235× the ungraded price. Even a PSA 9 ($53,680) clears the raw price after an economy-tier ~$25 fee, so a near-miss still comes out ahead. Centering is the usual reason a clean copy misses the 10 — measure it before you submit.
How much is a PSA 10 Willie Mays #244 worth compared with raw?
A PSA 10 Willie Mays #244 (Baseball Cards 1953 Topps) sells for about $291,747 versus $1,240 for a raw near-mint copy — a 235× premium as of Sep 4, 2026.
Which grading company is best for Willie Mays #244?
By resale value, BGS 10 leads at $379,272, ahead of PSA 10 at $291,747. Fees and turnaround differ, so the best-paying label is not always the best net.
What centering does Willie Mays #244 need for a BGS 10?
BGS publishes 55/45 front and 70/30 back centering as the tolerance for a 10 (Gem Mint). Off-center copies are capped below the top grade regardless of surface — measure yours before paying the fee.
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