Grading
The comic book grading scale, explained
Comics are graded on a 10-point scale. The number describes the condition of the physical book, and at the top of the scale, a few tenths of a point can change the price a lot.
The main grades
| Grade | Name | What it looks like |
|---|---|---|
| 10.0 | Gem Mint | Perfect. Extremely rare. |
| 9.8 | Near Mint/Mint | Nearly perfect, flat, sharp corners, tiny flaws at most. The grade modern collectors chase. |
| 9.4 | Near Mint | A few very small flaws, like a tiny stress line or slight corner wear. |
| 9.0 | Very Fine/Near Mint | Small amount of wear, still bright and attractive. |
| 8.0 | Very Fine | Minor wear such as small spine stress lines or slightly blunted corners. |
| 6.0 | Fine | Noticeable wear, but still a good-looking copy. |
| 4.0 | Very Good | Read and handled. Creases, wear and some fading, but complete. |
| 2.0 | Good | Heavily worn, possibly small tears or a rolled spine, but complete. |
| 1.0 | Fair | Major wear and damage. May be missing small pieces. |
| 0.5 | Poor | Badly damaged, possibly missing pieces or pages. |
Grades in between (like 9.6 or 7.5) exist too. Professional services use the full scale.
What graders look at
- Spine: stress lines, rolls, splits and color breaks.
- Corners and edges: sharp, blunted, creased or missing.
- Cover: gloss, color fading, scuffs, creases, writing and stains.
- Pages: color (white is best, then off-white, then tan and brittle).
- Staples: rust and tears around them.
- Restoration: color touch-up, tear seals or pressing marks that hide damage. Restored books are labeled separately and usually sell for less.
Raw vs. slabbed
A "raw" comic is ungraded. A "slabbed" comic has been graded by a professional service, sealed in a hard plastic case, and labeled with its grade. CGC is the largest grader; CBCS and PGX are others. Buyers pay more for slabbed keys because the grade is verified by a third party.
Is professional grading worth it?
Grading costs money per book plus shipping, and can take weeks. It usually pays off for key issues and books you believe are in high condition. For common issues, the fee is often more than the value it adds. A good rule of thumb: check what slabbed copies of your issue sell for at your expected grade, compare it to raw copies, and grade only if the gap clearly covers the cost.
Questions
What does CGC 9.8 mean?
It means CGC, the largest grading company, graded the comic 9.8 (Near Mint/Mint) on the 10-point scale. It's the grade most collectors aim for on modern comics.
How can I grade my comic myself?
Look at the spine, corners, cover, pages and staples under good light and compare to the grade descriptions. Be conservative: most people overestimate the grade of their own books.
Does grading increase a comic's value?
Grading doesn't change the comic, but it removes the buyer's uncertainty. For valuable keys in high condition, that usually means a higher sale price.