Is Hakeem Olajuwon #81 worth grading?
Basketball · Basketball Cards 1993 Hoops · full price guide →
Worth grading only if it gems
A PSA 10 Hakeem Olajuwon #81 brings $28.26 versus $1.44 raw — a $26.82 spread that covers an economy-tier ~$25 grading fee. A PSA 9 ($9.04) only about breaks even after fees, so the case rests on gemming.
- Raw (NM)
- $1.44
- PSA 10
- $28.26
- PSA 9
- $9.04
- Gem premium
- 20×
- 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 | $28.26 | +$1.82 | −$23.18 | −$123 |
| PSA 9 | $9.04 | −$17.40 | −$42.40 | −$142 |
Net = sale price − $1.44 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% | $13.84 | −$37.59 |
| 50% | $18.65 | −$32.79 |
| 75% | $23.45 | −$27.99 |
At the standard fee this submission does not break even at any realistic gem rate unless the miss lands above the 9 price.
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 | $37.00 | best | 55/45 | 70/30 |
| PSA 10 | $28.26 | −$8.74 | 55/45 | 75/25 |
| CGC 10 | $17.00 | −$20.00 | 55/45 | 75/25 |
| SGC 10 | $17.00 | −$20.00 | 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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Grading Hakeem Olajuwon #81 — FAQ
Is Hakeem Olajuwon #81 worth grading?
A PSA 10 Hakeem Olajuwon #81 brings $28.26 versus $1.44 raw — a $26.82 spread that covers an economy-tier ~$25 grading fee. A PSA 9 ($9.04) only about breaks even after fees, so the case rests on gemming.
How much is a PSA 10 Hakeem Olajuwon #81 worth compared with raw?
A PSA 10 Hakeem Olajuwon #81 (Basketball Cards 1993 Hoops) sells for about $28.26 versus $1.44 for a raw near-mint copy — a 20× premium as of Sep 4, 2026.
Which grading company is best for Hakeem Olajuwon #81?
By resale value, BGS 10 leads at $37.00, ahead of PSA 10 at $28.26. Fees and turnaround differ, so the best-paying label is not always the best net.
What centering does Hakeem Olajuwon #81 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.
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