Is Darth Vader David Prowse #254 worth grading?
Star Wars · Star Wars 1977 Topps · full price guide →
Worth grading — even a PSA 9 beats raw
A Grade 9.5 Darth Vader David Prowse #254 sells for $883 against $5.84 raw: a $877 spread, 151× the ungraded price. Even a PSA 9 ($803) 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)
- $5.84
- Grade 9.5
- $883
- PSA 9
- $803
- Gem premium
- 151×
- 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 — Grade 9.5 | $883 | +$852 | +$827 | +$727 |
| PSA 9 | $803 | +$772 | +$747 | +$647 |
| PSA 8 | $126 | +$95.15 | +$70.15 | −$29.85 |
Net = sale price − $5.84 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% | $823 | +$767 |
| 50% | $843 | +$787 |
| 75% | $863 | +$807 |
Even a miss (a 9) beats selling raw after the standard fee — the gem rate only decides how much you win by.
Full grade ladder
Raw conditions & history →Run your own numbers
Should I pay this?
Enter the seller’s asking price to see your net outcome per grade.
Other Star Wars 1977 Topps cards worth checking
Full set checklist →
Grading Darth Vader David Prowse #254 — FAQ
Is Darth Vader David Prowse #254 worth grading?
A Grade 9.5 Darth Vader David Prowse #254 sells for $883 against $5.84 raw: a $877 spread, 151× the ungraded price. Even a PSA 9 ($803) 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.
Best on iPhone & Android
Check your Star Wars card in the Midpoint app
Scan with your camera to measure centering to the millimeter, get an AI grade with corner and edge close-ups, see what your copy is worth, and track it in your portfolio. Free to start.
