Is Bill Reay #53 worth grading?
Hockey · Hockey Cards 1966 Topps · full price guide →
Worth grading — even a PSA 9 beats raw
A Grade 9.5 Bill Reay #53 sells for $2,104 against $11.55 raw: a $2,092 spread, 182× the ungraded price. Even a PSA 9 ($1,913) 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)
- $11.55
- Grade 9.5
- $2,104
- PSA 9
- $1,913
- Gem premium
- 182×
- 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 — Grade 9.5 | $2,104 | +$2,067 | +$2,042 | +$1,942 |
| PSA 9 | $1,913 | +$1,876 | +$1,851 | +$1,751 |
| PSA 8 | $304 | +$267 | +$242 | +$142 |
Net = sale price − $11.55 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% | $1,961 | +$1,899 |
| 50% | $2,009 | +$1,947 |
| 75% | $2,056 | +$1,995 |
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 1966 Topps cards worth checking
Full set checklist →
Grading Bill Reay #53 — FAQ
Is Bill Reay #53 worth grading?
A Grade 9.5 Bill Reay #53 sells for $2,104 against $11.55 raw: a $2,092 spread, 182× the ungraded price. Even a PSA 9 ($1,913) 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.
