Is Dikembe Mutombo #18 worth grading?
Basketball · Basketball Cards 1998 Upper Deck Hardcourt · full price guide →
Worth grading — even a PSA 9 beats raw
A Grade 9.5 Dikembe Mutombo #18 sells for $34.00 against $1.62 raw: a $32.38 spread, 21× the ungraded price. Even a PSA 9 ($31.00) 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)
- $1.62
- Grade 9.5
- $34.00
- PSA 9
- $31.00
- Gem premium
- 21×
- As of
- Sep 4, 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 | $34.00 | +$7.38 | −$17.62 | −$118 |
| PSA 9 | $31.00 | +$4.38 | −$20.62 | −$121 |
Net = sale price − $1.62 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% | $31.75 | −$19.87 |
| 50% | $32.50 | −$19.12 |
| 75% | $33.25 | −$18.37 |
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 1998 Upper Deck Hardcourt cards worth checking
Full set checklist →
Grading Dikembe Mutombo #18 — FAQ
Is Dikembe Mutombo #18 worth grading?
A Grade 9.5 Dikembe Mutombo #18 sells for $34.00 against $1.62 raw: a $32.38 spread, 21× the ungraded price. Even a PSA 9 ($31.00) 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 basketball 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.
