Is Gary Fencik [Blue] #45 worth grading?
Football · Football Cards 1986 McDonald's Bears · full price guide →
Grading rarely pays for this card
Grade 9.5 copies of Gary Fencik [Blue] #45 sell for $27.00, only $21.05 above the $5.95 raw price — less than an economy-tier grading fee. A PSA 9 ($24.50) 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)
- $5.95
- Grade 9.5
- $27.00
- PSA 9
- $24.50
- Gem premium
- 4.5×
- 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 | $27.00 | −$3.95 | −$28.95 | −$129 |
| PSA 9 | $24.50 | −$6.45 | −$31.45 | −$131 |
Net = sale price − $5.95 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% | $25.13 | −$30.82 |
| 50% | $25.75 | −$30.20 |
| 75% | $26.38 | −$29.57 |
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 1986 McDonald's Bears cards worth checking
Full set checklist →Grading Gary Fencik [Blue] #45 — FAQ
Is Gary Fencik [Blue] #45 worth grading?
Grade 9.5 copies of Gary Fencik [Blue] #45 sell for $27.00, only $21.05 above the $5.95 raw price — less than an economy-tier grading fee. A PSA 9 ($24.50) only about breaks even after fees, so the case rests on gemming. Keep it raw unless you are grading for the slab itself.
Best on iPhone & Android
Check your football 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.
