Is 1988 NFL Passing Leaders #217 worth grading?
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Worth grading only if it gems
A PSA 10 1988 NFL Passing Leaders #217 brings $28.32 versus $0.31 raw — a $28.01 spread that covers an economy-tier ~$25 grading fee. A PSA 9 ($7.00) only about breaks even after fees, so the case rests on gemming.
- Raw (NM)
- $0.31
- PSA 10
- $28.32
- PSA 9
- $7.00
- Gem premium
- 91×
- 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 — PSA 10 | $28.32 | +$3.01 | −$21.99 | −$122 |
| PSA 9 | $7.00 | −$18.31 | −$43.31 | −$143 |
| PSA 8 | $6.05 | −$19.26 | −$44.26 | −$144 |
Net = sale price − $0.31 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% | $12.33 | −$37.98 |
| 50% | $17.66 | −$32.65 |
| 75% | $22.99 | −$27.32 |
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 | $28.32 | −$8.68 | 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.
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Grading 1988 NFL Passing Leaders #217 — FAQ
Is 1988 NFL Passing Leaders #217 worth grading?
A PSA 10 1988 NFL Passing Leaders #217 brings $28.32 versus $0.31 raw — a $28.01 spread that covers an economy-tier ~$25 grading fee. A PSA 9 ($7.00) only about breaks even after fees, so the case rests on gemming.
How much is a PSA 10 1988 NFL Passing Leaders #217 worth compared with raw?
A PSA 10 1988 NFL Passing Leaders #217 (Football Cards 1989 Topps) sells for about $28.32 versus $0.31 for a raw near-mint copy — a 91× premium as of Sep 3, 2026.
Which grading company is best for 1988 NFL Passing Leaders #217?
By resale value, BGS 10 leads at $37.00, ahead of PSA 10 at $28.32. Fees and turnaround differ, so the best-paying label is not always the best net.
What centering does 1988 NFL Passing Leaders #217 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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