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 $426 against $71.16 raw: a $355 spread, 6.0× the ungraded price. Even a PSA 9 ($109) 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)
- $71.16
- PSA 10
- $426
- PSA 9
- $109
- Gem premium
- 6.0×
- As of
- Aug 16, 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 | $426 | +$330 | +$305 | +$205 |
| PSA 9 | $109 | +$12.84 | −$12.16 | −$112 |
| PSA 8 | $99.00 | +$2.84 | −$22.16 | −$122 |
Net = sale price − $71.16 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 | +$67.16 |
| 50% | $268 | +$146 |
| 75% | $347 | +$226 |
Break-even gem rate at the standard fee: about 4%. 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 | $554 | best | 55/45 | 70/30 |
| PSA 10 | $426 | −$128 | 55/45 | 75/25 |
| CGC 10 | $256 | −$298 | 55/45 | 75/25 |
| SGC 10 | $256 | −$298 | 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.
Full grade ladder
Raw conditions & history →| Grade | PSA | CGC | BGS | SGC | Graded |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | $426 | $256 | $554 | $256 | — |
| 9.5 | — | — | — | — | $125 |
| 9 | — | — | — | — | $109 |
| 8 | — | — | — | — | $99.00 |
Run your own numbers
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 →![Lando Norris [Sapphire] #HC-7 2024 Topps Chrome Formula 1 Helmet Collection card](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/XtgAAeSwE2Fp6tdw/s-l500.jpg)
![Oscar Piastri [Gold Refractor] #HC-8 2024 Topps Chrome Formula 1 Helmet Collection card](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/zIoAAeSwYippdWM~/s-l500.jpg)
![Carlos Sainz [Sapphire] #HC-4 2024 Topps Chrome Formula 1 Helmet Collection card](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/duwAAeSw9Etn0OHL/s-l500.jpg)
![Lewis Hamilton [Logofractor] #HC-6 2024 Topps Chrome Formula 1 Helmet Collection card](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/ITQAAeSwDTBqYrO4/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 $426 against $71.16 raw: a $355 spread, 6.0× the ungraded price. Even a PSA 9 ($109) 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 $426 versus $71.16 for a raw near-mint copy — a 6.0× premium as of Aug 16, 2026.
Which grading company is best for Max Verstappen #HC-1?
By resale value, BGS 10 leads at $554, ahead of PSA 10 at $426. 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 4% of the time (a miss assumed to sell at the PSA 9 price of $109).
Is your racing card centered well enough to grade?
Centering makes or breaks a PSA 10. Scan any card with Midpoint to measure its exact centering, get a grade estimate, and see what your copy is actually worth.
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