Is Mike Trout #1 worth grading?
Baseball · Baseball Cards 2021 Topps Throwback Thursday · full price guide →
Worth grading only if it gems
A PSA 10 Mike Trout #1 brings $28.21 versus $3.02 raw — a $25.19 spread that covers an economy-tier ~$25 grading fee. A PSA 9 ($8.05) only about breaks even after fees, so the case rests on gemming.
- Raw (NM)
- $3.02
- PSA 10
- $28.21
- PSA 9
- $8.05
- Gem premium
- 9.3×
- 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 — PSA 10 | $28.21 | +$0.19 | −$24.81 | −$125 |
| PSA 9 | $8.05 | −$19.97 | −$44.97 | −$145 |
| PSA 8 | $7.39 | −$20.63 | −$45.63 | −$146 |
Net = sale price − $3.02 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% | $13.09 | −$39.93 |
| 50% | $18.13 | −$34.89 |
| 75% | $23.17 | −$29.85 |
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 | $37.00 | best | 55/45 | 70/30 |
| PSA 10 | $28.21 | −$8.79 | 55/45 | 75/25 |
| CGC 10 | $17.00 | −$20.00 | 55/45 | 75/25 |
| SGC 10 | $17.00 | −$20.00 | 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.
Full grade ladder
Raw conditions & history →Swipe the table for the other grading companies →
Run your own numbers
Should I pay this?
Enter the seller’s asking price to see your net outcome per grade.
Other 2021 Topps Throwback Thursday cards worth checking
Full set checklist →Grading Mike Trout #1 — FAQ
Is Mike Trout #1 worth grading?
A PSA 10 Mike Trout #1 brings $28.21 versus $3.02 raw — a $25.19 spread that covers an economy-tier ~$25 grading fee. A PSA 9 ($8.05) only about breaks even after fees, so the case rests on gemming.
How much is a PSA 10 Mike Trout #1 worth compared with raw?
A PSA 10 Mike Trout #1 (Baseball Cards 2021 Topps Throwback Thursday) sells for about $28.21 versus $3.02 for a raw near-mint copy — a 9.3× premium as of Sep 4, 2026.
Which grading company is best for Mike Trout #1?
By resale value, BGS 10 leads at $37.00, ahead of PSA 10 at $28.21. Fees and turnaround differ, so the best-paying label is not always the best net.
What centering does Mike Trout #1 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.
Best on iPhone & Android
Check your baseball 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.
