Is Valtteri Bottas [SP Variation] #42 worth grading?
Racing · Racing Cards 2022 Topps Chrome Formula 1 · full price guide →
Worth grading — even a PSA 9 beats raw
A Grade 9.5 Valtteri Bottas [SP Variation] #42 sells for $48.00 against $5.49 raw: a $42.51 spread, 8.7× the ungraded price. Even a PSA 9 ($44.00) 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)
- $5.49
- Grade 9.5
- $48.00
- PSA 9
- $44.00
- Gem premium
- 8.7×
- 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 | $48.00 | +$17.51 | −$7.49 | −$107 |
| PSA 9 | $44.00 | +$13.51 | −$11.49 | −$111 |
| PSA 8 | $39.99 | +$9.50 | −$15.50 | −$116 |
Net = sale price − $5.49 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% | $45.00 | −$10.49 |
| 50% | $46.00 | −$9.49 |
| 75% | $47.00 | −$8.49 |
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 2022 Topps Chrome Formula 1 cards worth checking
Full set checklist →![Yuki Tsunoda [Sapphire] #61 2022 Topps Chrome Formula 1 card](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/dPAAAeSwSoFqFpC3/s-l500.jpg)
![Charles Leclerc [Black & White RayWave] #25 2022 Topps Chrome Formula 1 card](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/~OUAAeSwW4NpdT5p/s-l500.jpg)
![Lance Stroll [Sapphire] #49 2022 Topps Chrome Formula 1 card](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/Po8AAeSwmpJqJ8cT/s-l500.jpg)
Grading Valtteri Bottas [SP Variation] #42 — FAQ
Is Valtteri Bottas [SP Variation] #42 worth grading?
A Grade 9.5 Valtteri Bottas [SP Variation] #42 sells for $48.00 against $5.49 raw: a $42.51 spread, 8.7× the ungraded price. Even a PSA 9 ($44.00) 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.
Best on iPhone & Android
Check your racing 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.
