Is Steve Thomas worth grading?
Hockey · Hockey Cards 1986 Kraft Drawings · full price guide →
Grading rarely pays for this card
Grade 9 copies of Steve Thomas sell for $4.06, only $1.73 above the $2.33 raw price — less than an economy-tier grading fee. A PSA 9 ($4.06) only about breaks even after fees, so the case rests on gemming. Keep it raw unless you are grading for the slab itself.
- Raw (NM)
- $2.33
- Grade 9
- $4.06
- PSA 9
- $4.06
- Gem premium
- 1.7×
- As of
- Sep 3, 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 | $4.06 | −$23.27 | −$48.27 | −$148 |
| PSA 9 | $4.06 | −$23.27 | −$48.27 | −$148 |
Net = sale price − $2.33 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% | $4.06 | −$48.27 |
| 50% | $4.06 | −$48.27 |
| 75% | $4.06 | −$48.27 |
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 1986 Kraft Drawings cards worth checking
Full set checklist →Grading Steve Thomas — FAQ
Is Steve Thomas worth grading?
Grade 9 copies of Steve Thomas sell for $4.06, only $1.73 above the $2.33 raw price — less than an economy-tier grading fee. A PSA 9 ($4.06) only about breaks even after fees, so the case rests on gemming. Keep it raw unless you are grading for the slab itself.
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.
