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Is michael jordan #M3 worth grading?

Basketball · Basketball Cards 1996 Upper Deck USA Michael Jordan American Made · full price guide →

Grading rarely pays for this card

Grade 9.5 copies of michael jordan #M3 sell for $42.00, only $13.01 above the $28.99 raw price — less than an economy-tier grading fee. A PSA 9 ($38.19) only about breaks even after fees, so the case rests on gemming. Keep it raw unless you are grading for the slab itself.

Raw (NM)
$28.99
Grade 9.5
$42.00
PSA 9
$38.19
Gem premium
1.4×
As of
Sep 4, 2026

Break-even by outcome and fee

michael jordan #M3: net result of grading versus selling raw, by outcome and fee tier
If it comes back…Sells forEconomy / bulk (~$25.00)Standard (~$50.00)Express (~$150)
Gem — Grade 9.5$42.00−$11.99−$36.99−$137
PSA 9$38.19−$15.80−$40.80−$141
PSA 8$17.27−$36.72−$61.72−$162

Net = sale price − $28.99 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?

michael jordan #M3: expected value of submitting by gem probability
Chance it gemsExpected saleExpected net (standard fee)
25%$39.14−$39.85
50%$40.09−$38.89
75%$41.05−$37.94

At the standard fee this submission does not break even at any realistic gem rate unless the miss lands above the 9 price.

michael jordan #M3 graded prices by company and grade
GradeGraded
9.5$42.00
9$38.19
8$17.27
7$14.00

Run your own numbers

Should I pay this?

Enter the seller’s asking price to see your net outcome per grade.

Other 1996 Upper Deck USA Michael Jordan American Made cards worth checking

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Grading michael jordan #M3 — FAQ

Is michael jordan #M3 worth grading?

Grade 9.5 copies of michael jordan #M3 sell for $42.00, only $13.01 above the $28.99 raw price — less than an economy-tier grading fee. A PSA 9 ($38.19) only about breaks even after fees, so the case rests on gemming. Keep it raw unless you are grading for the slab itself.

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