Is Max Verstappen #HC-1 worth grading?
Racing · Racing Cards 2024 Topps Chrome Formula 1 Helmet Collection · full price guide →
Worth grading — even a PSA 9 beats raw
A PSA 10 Max Verstappen #HC-1 sells for $405 against $79.75 raw: a $325 spread, 5.1× the ungraded price. Even a PSA 9 ($115) 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)
- $79.75
- PSA 10
- $405
- PSA 9
- $115
- Gem premium
- 5.1×
- 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 — PSA 10 | $405 | +$300 | +$275 | +$175 |
| PSA 9 | $115 | +$10.25 | −$14.75 | −$115 |
| PSA 8 | $99.00 | −$5.75 | −$30.75 | −$131 |
Net = sale price − $79.75 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% | $188 | +$57.75 |
| 50% | $260 | +$130 |
| 75% | $333 | +$203 |
Break-even gem rate at the standard fee: about 5%. Centering is the usual reason a clean copy misses — measure it before you decide.
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 | $527 | best | 55/45 | 70/30 |
| PSA 10 | $405 | −$122 | 55/45 | 75/25 |
| CGC 10 | $243 | −$284 | 55/45 | 75/25 |
| SGC 10 | $243 | −$284 | 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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Should I pay this?
Enter the seller’s asking price to see your net outcome per grade.
Other 2024 Topps Chrome Formula 1 Helmet Collection cards worth checking
Full set checklist →![Max Verstappen [Red Refractor] #HC-1 2024 Topps Chrome Formula 1 Helmet Collection card](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/~VkAAeSwWihqnStR/s-l500.jpg)
Grading Max Verstappen #HC-1 — FAQ
Is Max Verstappen #HC-1 worth grading?
A PSA 10 Max Verstappen #HC-1 sells for $405 against $79.75 raw: a $325 spread, 5.1× the ungraded price. Even a PSA 9 ($115) 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.
How much is a PSA 10 Max Verstappen #HC-1 worth compared with raw?
A PSA 10 Max Verstappen #HC-1 (Racing Cards 2024 Topps Chrome Formula 1 Helmet Collection) sells for about $405 versus $79.75 for a raw near-mint copy — a 5.1× premium as of Sep 4, 2026.
Which grading company is best for Max Verstappen #HC-1?
By resale value, BGS 10 leads at $527, ahead of PSA 10 at $405. Fees and turnaround differ, so the best-paying label is not always the best net.
What centering does Max Verstappen #HC-1 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.
What gem rate makes grading Max Verstappen #HC-1 break even?
At a standard ~$50 fee, submitting Max Verstappen #HC-1 breaks even when it gems about 5% of the time (a miss assumed to sell at the PSA 9 price of $115).
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