Is Bill Fairbairn #303 worth grading?
Hockey · Hockey Cards 1977 O-Pee-Chee · full price guide →
Worth grading — even a PSA 9 beats raw
A Grade 9.5 Bill Fairbairn #303 sells for $32.00 against $1.13 raw: a $30.87 spread, 28× the ungraded price. Even a PSA 9 ($29.26) 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)
- $1.13
- Grade 9.5
- $32.00
- PSA 9
- $29.26
- 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 | $32.00 | +$5.87 | −$19.13 | −$119 |
| PSA 9 | $29.26 | +$3.13 | −$21.87 | −$122 |
| PSA 8 | $18.65 | −$7.48 | −$32.48 | −$132 |
Net = sale price − $1.13 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% | $29.95 | −$21.18 |
| 50% | $30.63 | −$20.50 |
| 75% | $31.32 | −$19.81 |
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 →Run your own numbers
Should I pay this?
Enter the seller’s asking price to see your net outcome per grade.
Other 1977 O-Pee-Chee cards worth checking
Full set checklist →
Grading Bill Fairbairn #303 — FAQ
Is Bill Fairbairn #303 worth grading?
A Grade 9.5 Bill Fairbairn #303 sells for $32.00 against $1.13 raw: a $30.87 spread, 28× the ungraded price. Even a PSA 9 ($29.26) 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.
