Is Al MacNeil #36 worth grading?
Hockey · Hockey Cards 1961 York Yellow Backs · full price guide →
Worth grading — even a PSA 9 beats raw
A Grade 9.5 Al MacNeil #36 sells for $68.00 against $2.46 raw: a $65.54 spread, 28× the ungraded price. Even a PSA 9 ($62.00) 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)
- $2.46
- Grade 9.5
- $68.00
- PSA 9
- $62.00
- Gem premium
- 28×
- As of
- Sep 2, 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 | $68.00 | +$40.54 | +$15.54 | −$84.46 |
| PSA 9 | $62.00 | +$34.54 | +$9.54 | −$90.46 |
Net = sale price − $2.46 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% | $63.50 | +$11.04 |
| 50% | $65.00 | +$12.54 |
| 75% | $66.50 | +$14.04 |
Even a miss (a 9) beats selling raw after the standard fee — the gem rate only decides how much you win by.
Full grade ladder
Raw conditions & history →Run your own numbers
Should I pay this?
Enter the seller’s asking price to see your net outcome per grade.
Other 1961 York Yellow Backs cards worth checking
Full set checklist →Grading Al MacNeil #36 — FAQ
Is Al MacNeil #36 worth grading?
A Grade 9.5 Al MacNeil #36 sells for $68.00 against $2.46 raw: a $65.54 spread, 28× the ungraded price. Even a PSA 9 ($62.00) 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.
Best on iPhone & Android
Check your hockey card in the Midpoint app
Scan with your camera to measure centering to the millimeter, get an AI grade with corner and edge close-ups, see what your copy is worth, and track it in your portfolio. Free to start.
