This is a 2023-24 Topps Cosmic Chrome Planetary Pursuit – Mercury #PPM-8 featuring Chet Holmgren (Oklahoma City Thunder, PF). It is part of the popular space-themed insert set in Topps Cosmic Chrome, where each player receives one card per planet (rarity increases with distance from the Sun). Mercury is one of the more common planets in the series (roughly 1:328 to 1:480 packs depending on exact product configuration), making it a short-printed insert but not ultra-rare like Neptune or Pluto. The front has a striking cosmic design with a large planet backdrop, futuristic borders, “PLANETARY PURSUIT” header, “MERCURY” vertical banner, and “CHET HOLMGREN” footer. The back includes his bio, a highlight from his early NBA career (near triple-double with blocks on Dec. 16, 2023), and the “PPM-8” designation.
Crescent Vale Self-Graded Scores
Centering: Near perfect centering resulted with a 9.5.
Edges: Minor edge wear was a 9 subgrade.
Corners: Near perfect corners scored a 9.5.
Surface: There was indentations and scored a 9.
Crescent Vale Self-Graded Overall Score: 9.5 Mint+
Grok AI Scores
(BGS/PSA Style)
I examined all six provided images: the full front and back, plus close-ups of corners, edges, surface/print quality, and holographic elements. This is a raw, modern chrome card with a glossy, refractor-style finish and metallic/foil accents. It presents as a strong Near Mint–Mint to Gem Mint example with excellent eye appeal. No creases, dents, or major handling wear are visible. The holographic background and borders show good reflectivity under the lighting.Subgrades (Beckett BGS Style – out of 10) Centering
(Front/Back): 9.5–10
The player image is well-framed within the cosmic grid/planet design. Text elements (“PLANETARY PURSUIT”, “MERCURY”, “CHET HOLMGREN”) and the barcode are evenly placed with no noticeable tilt or shift. The back is also cleanly centered.
Corners: 9.5
Close-ups (especially the bottom-right and angled shots) show very sharp, pointed corners with minimal to no whitening or softness. The foil border transitions are crisp. Typical modern chrome cards can have slight factory corner issues; these look better than average.
Edges: 9–9.5
The thin white card stock edges appear clean and uniform in the provided views. No chipping, roughness, or discoloration is evident along the borders. The holographic layer on the front edges shows consistent shine without peeling or bubbling.
Surface: 9–9.5
The chrome finish is glossy and reflective with sharp printing—no visible scratches, scuffs, fingerprints, or smudges on the main image or borders. The planet graphic and grid lines are clean. Minor surface dust or microscopic imperfections (common on glossy chrome) might appear under strong magnification/loupe, but nothing detracts in these photos. The back surface is matte and free of marks.
Recommended Overall Grades BGS Overall: 9.5 (Gem Mint) — The subgrades align well for a 9.5. A pristine 10 is possible if the surface passes loupe inspection with zero defects.
PSA Overall: 9 (Mint) to 10 (Gem Mint) — PSA tends to be strict on modern inserts, especially chrome cards with holographic elements. This example has the technical quality and eye appeal for a solid PSA 9 or better. High-grade examples of this specific PPM-8 card are not overly common on the pop report.
Condition Discussion & Potential Minor Issues Strengths: Excellent print registration, vibrant colors, strong gloss/holographic pop, sharp corners/edges, and clean centering. The cosmic design elements (grid, planet, borders) are defect-free in the close-ups.
Minor Notes: As a chrome card, it is prone to surface marks from handling or stacking. The provided images show no obvious issues, but professional grading lighting might reveal faint hairlines or a tiny factory imperfection on the foil that could cap it at 9.5 instead of 10. The back is pristine. No toning or aging concerns (this is a relatively new 2023-24 release).
Storage/Handling: Appears well-cared-for with minimal handling wear.
Please Note: This card is housed in a custom display slab for superior protection and presentation. While the label may include descriptive details, this is not a grade from a third-party professional service (such as PSA, BGS, or SGC). The card is being sold as Raw/Ungraded. Please review the high-resolution photos provided to make your own assessment of the card’s condition before bidding or purchasing.
