Is Luke Skywalker #1 worth grading?
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Worth grading — even a PSA 9 beats raw
A PSA 10 Luke Skywalker #1 sells for $135,417 against $148 raw: a $135,269 spread, 915× the ungraded price. Even a PSA 9 ($9,350) 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)
- $148
- PSA 10
- $135,417
- PSA 9
- $9,350
- Gem premium
- 915×
- As of
- Sep 27, 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 | $135,417 | +$135,244 | +$135,219 | +$135,119 |
| PSA 9 | $9,350 | +$9,177 | +$9,152 | +$9,052 |
| PSA 8 | $6,748 | +$6,575 | +$6,550 | +$6,450 |
Net = sale price − $148 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% | $40,867 | +$40,669 |
| 50% | $72,383 | +$72,185 |
| 75% | $103,900 | +$103,702 |
Even a miss (a 9) beats selling raw after the standard fee — the gem rate only decides how much you win by.
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 | $176,041 | best | 55/45 | 70/30 |
| PSA 10 | $135,417 | −$40,625 | 55/45 | 75/25 |
| CGC 10 | $81,250 | −$94,791 | 55/45 | 75/25 |
| SGC 10 | $81,250 | −$94,791 | 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 Luke Skywalker #1 — FAQ
Is Luke Skywalker #1 worth grading?
A PSA 10 Luke Skywalker #1 sells for $135,417 against $148 raw: a $135,269 spread, 915× the ungraded price. Even a PSA 9 ($9,350) 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 Luke Skywalker #1 worth compared with raw?
A PSA 10 Luke Skywalker #1 (Star Wars 1977 Topps) sells for about $135,417 versus $148 for a raw near-mint copy — a 915× premium as of Sep 27, 2026.
Which grading company is best for Luke Skywalker #1?
By resale value, BGS 10 leads at $176,041, ahead of PSA 10 at $135,417. Fees and turnaround differ, so the best-paying label is not always the best net.
What centering does Luke Skywalker #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.
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