Is Joao Paulo [Gold] #86 worth grading?
Soccer · Soccer Cards 2021 Topps Chrome MLS Sapphire · full price guide →
Worth grading — even a PSA 9 beats raw
A Grade 9.5 Joao Paulo [Gold] #86 sells for $38.00 against $6.62 raw: a $31.38 spread, 5.7× the ungraded price. Even a PSA 9 ($34.74) 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)
- $6.62
- Grade 9.5
- $38.00
- PSA 9
- $34.74
- Gem premium
- 5.7×
- 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 9.5 | $38.00 | +$6.38 | −$18.62 | −$119 |
| PSA 9 | $34.74 | +$3.12 | −$21.88 | −$122 |
Net = sale price − $6.62 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% | $35.55 | −$21.07 |
| 50% | $36.37 | −$20.25 |
| 75% | $37.19 | −$19.43 |
At the standard fee this submission does not break even at any realistic gem rate unless the miss lands above the 9 price.
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Full set checklist →Grading Joao Paulo [Gold] #86 — FAQ
Is Joao Paulo [Gold] #86 worth grading?
A Grade 9.5 Joao Paulo [Gold] #86 sells for $38.00 against $6.62 raw: a $31.38 spread, 5.7× the ungraded price. Even a PSA 9 ($34.74) 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.
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