Is Larry Bird #3 worth grading?
Basketball · Basketball Cards 2012 SP Authentic · full price guide →
Worth grading only if it gems
A PSA 10 Larry Bird #3 brings $29.95 versus $2.92 raw — a $27.03 spread that covers an economy-tier ~$25 grading fee. A PSA 9 ($17.24) only about breaks even after fees, so the case rests on gemming.
- Raw (NM)
- $2.92
- PSA 10
- $29.95
- PSA 9
- $17.24
- Gem premium
- 10×
- As of
- Jul 11, 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 | $29.95 | +$2.03 | −$22.97 | −$123 |
| PSA 9 | $17.24 | −$10.68 | −$35.68 | −$136 |
| PSA 8 | $7.64 | −$20.28 | −$45.28 | −$145 |
Net = sale price − $2.92 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% | $20.42 | −$32.50 |
| 50% | $23.59 | −$29.33 |
| 75% | $26.77 | −$26.15 |
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 | $39.00 | best | 55/45 | 70/30 |
| PSA 10 | $29.95 | −$9.05 | 55/45 | 75/25 |
| CGC 10 | $18.00 | −$21.00 | 55/45 | 75/25 |
| SGC 10 | $18.00 | −$21.00 | 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 Larry Bird #3 — FAQ
Is Larry Bird #3 worth grading?
A PSA 10 Larry Bird #3 brings $29.95 versus $2.92 raw — a $27.03 spread that covers an economy-tier ~$25 grading fee. A PSA 9 ($17.24) only about breaks even after fees, so the case rests on gemming.
How much is a PSA 10 Larry Bird #3 worth compared with raw?
A PSA 10 Larry Bird #3 (Basketball Cards 2012 SP Authentic) sells for about $29.95 versus $2.92 for a raw near-mint copy — a 10× premium as of Jul 11, 2026.
Which grading company is best for Larry Bird #3?
By resale value, BGS 10 leads at $39.00, ahead of PSA 10 at $29.95. Fees and turnaround differ, so the best-paying label is not always the best net.
What centering does Larry Bird #3 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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