Is Derrick Thomas [Chiefs Helmet on Front] #19 worth grading?
Football · Football Cards 1991 Pro Set · full price guide →
Grading rarely pays for this card
Grade 9.5 copies of Derrick Thomas [Chiefs Helmet on Front] #19 sell for $14.00, only $12.35 above the $1.65 raw price — less than an economy-tier grading fee. A PSA 9 ($12.50) 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)
- $1.65
- Grade 9.5
- $14.00
- PSA 9
- $12.50
- Gem premium
- 8.5×
- 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 | $14.00 | −$12.65 | −$37.65 | −$138 |
| PSA 9 | $12.50 | −$14.15 | −$39.15 | −$139 |
| PSA 8 | $6.01 | −$20.64 | −$45.64 | −$146 |
Net = sale price − $1.65 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% | $12.88 | −$38.77 |
| 50% | $13.25 | −$38.40 |
| 75% | $13.63 | −$38.02 |
At the standard fee this submission does not break even at any realistic gem rate unless the miss lands above the 9 price.
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Grading Derrick Thomas [Chiefs Helmet on Front] #19 — FAQ
Is Derrick Thomas [Chiefs Helmet on Front] #19 worth grading?
Grade 9.5 copies of Derrick Thomas [Chiefs Helmet on Front] #19 sell for $14.00, only $12.35 above the $1.65 raw price — less than an economy-tier grading fee. A PSA 9 ($12.50) 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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