Is Human Torch #21 worth grading?
Marvel · Marvel 1996 Masterpieces · full price guide →
Worth grading — even a PSA 9 beats raw
A Grade 9.5 Human Torch #21 sells for $101 against $30.00 raw: a $71.00 spread, 3.4× the ungraded price. Even a PSA 9 ($91.85) 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)
- $30.00
- Grade 9.5
- $101
- PSA 9
- $91.85
- Gem premium
- 3.4×
- As of
- Aug 15, 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 | $101 | +$46.00 | +$21.00 | −$79.00 |
| PSA 9 | $91.85 | +$36.85 | +$11.85 | −$88.15 |
| PSA 8 | $67.85 | +$12.85 | −$12.15 | −$112 |
Net = sale price − $30.00 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% | $94.14 | +$14.14 |
| 50% | $96.42 | +$16.42 |
| 75% | $98.71 | +$18.71 |
Even a miss (a 9) beats selling raw after the standard fee — the gem rate only decides how much you win by.
Full grade ladder
Raw conditions & history →| Grade | Graded |
|---|---|
| 9.5 | $101 |
| 9 | $91.85 |
| 8 | $67.85 |
Run your own numbers
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Full set checklist →Grading Human Torch #21 — FAQ
Is Human Torch #21 worth grading?
A Grade 9.5 Human Torch #21 sells for $101 against $30.00 raw: a $71.00 spread, 3.4× the ungraded price. Even a PSA 9 ($91.85) 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.
Is your Marvel card centered well enough to grade?
Centering makes or breaks a PSA 10. Scan any card with Midpoint to measure its exact centering, get a grade estimate, and see what your copy is actually worth.
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