Is MELBA Toast #143a worth grading?
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Worth grading — even a PSA 9 beats raw
A PSA 10 MELBA Toast #143a sells for $45.59 against $2.19 raw: a $43.40 spread, 21× the ungraded price. Even a PSA 9 ($29.00) 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)
- $2.19
- PSA 10
- $45.59
- PSA 9
- $29.00
- Gem premium
- 21×
- As of
- Oct 4, 2026
Break-even by outcome and fee
| If it comes back… | Sells for | Economy / bulk (~$25.00) | Standard (~$50.00) | Express (~$150) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gem — PSA 10 | $45.59 | +$18.40 | −$6.60 | −$107 |
| PSA 9 | $29.00 | +$1.81 | −$23.19 | −$123 |
| PSA 8 | $26.00 | −$1.19 | −$26.19 | −$126 |
Net = sale price − $2.19 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% | $33.15 | −$19.04 |
| 50% | $37.30 | −$14.89 |
| 75% | $41.44 | −$10.75 |
At the standard fee this submission does not break even at any realistic gem rate unless the miss lands above the 9 price.
Which grader pays the most — and what a 10 takes
All centering standards →| Grader | 10 sells for | vs best | Front centering for a 10 | Back |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BGS 10 | $59.00 | best | 55/45 | 70/30 |
| PSA 10 | $45.59 | −$13.41 | 55/45 | 75/25 |
| CGC 10 | $27.00 | −$32.00 | 55/45 | 75/25 |
| SGC 10 | $27.00 | −$32.00 | 55/45 | 75/25 |
Tolerances are each company's published centering standard for its top grade; surface, corners and edges must also be clean. Centering is the one you can measure yourself before you pay.
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Grading MELBA Toast #143a — FAQ
Is MELBA Toast #143a worth grading?
A PSA 10 MELBA Toast #143a sells for $45.59 against $2.19 raw: a $43.40 spread, 21× the ungraded price. Even a PSA 9 ($29.00) 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.
How much is a PSA 10 MELBA Toast #143a worth compared with raw?
A PSA 10 MELBA Toast #143a (1986 Garbage Pail Kids) sells for about $45.59 versus $2.19 for a raw near-mint copy — a 21× premium as of Oct 4, 2026.
Which grading company is best for MELBA Toast #143a?
By resale value, BGS 10 leads at $59.00, ahead of PSA 10 at $45.59. Fees and turnaround differ, so the best-paying label is not always the best net.
What centering does MELBA Toast #143a need for a BGS 10?
BGS publishes 55/45 front and 70/30 back centering as the tolerance for a 10 (Gem Mint). Off-center copies are capped below the top grade regardless of surface — measure yours before paying the fee.
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