![Mariano Rivera [Refractor] #8 (Baseball Cards 1998 Topps Chrome) — is it worth grading?](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/rYMAAOSwJEBmqsqM/s-l1600.jpg)
Is Mariano Rivera [Refractor] #8 worth grading?
Baseball · Baseball Cards 1998 Topps Chrome · full price guide →
Worth grading only if it gems
A Grade 9.5 Mariano Rivera [Refractor] #8 brings $176 versus $150 raw — a $26.01 spread that covers an economy-tier ~$25 grading fee. A PSA 9 ($160) only about breaks even after fees, so the case rests on gemming.
- Raw (NM)
- $150
- Grade 9.5
- $176
- PSA 9
- $160
- Gem premium
- 1.2×
- 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 | $176 | +$1.01 | −$23.99 | −$124 |
| PSA 9 | $160 | −$15.31 | −$40.31 | −$140 |
| PSA 8 | $100 | −$74.99 | −$99.99 | −$200 |
Net = sale price − $150 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% | $164 | −$36.23 |
| 50% | $168 | −$32.15 |
| 75% | $172 | −$28.07 |
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 | $176 |
| 9 | $160 |
| 8 | $100 |
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 Mariano Rivera [Refractor] #8 — FAQ
Is Mariano Rivera [Refractor] #8 worth grading?
A Grade 9.5 Mariano Rivera [Refractor] #8 brings $176 versus $150 raw — a $26.01 spread that covers an economy-tier ~$25 grading fee. A PSA 9 ($160) only about breaks even after fees, so the case rests on gemming.
Is your baseball 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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