The most difficult, contentious and eternally frustrating aspect of comic collecting is grading. Egs european grading service halo certification pgx professional grading experts vault 60 day comic grading mcg midwest comic grading. Comic book grading ri consignment a different way to. Books are carefully handled and tracked through the grading process, and always fully insured while on our premises. Comic grading company has a simple and affordable pricing structure without any clubs to join. You have to know the basics of grading comics to determine whether sellers are under and over charging based on their subjective standards. We dont take the humanaspect out of grading, we just use our system to ensure that the grading is consistent and accurate. We need to emphasize, however, that not more than two of the above mentioned flaws can appear in the same comic.
When grading gets to fine, you start operating on a point system. The comic book grading companies will offer witnesses, so a representative from the grading company will stand with you as you get a book signed. Pgx also offers a comparable service and directly competes with cgc in the comic book grading market. Grading is the term used for the assessment of the condition of a particular comic book. I just want to get the most out of what is probably my best comic. A high grade, like an a or mint, is good, while a low grade. This book is a great tool for comic book aficionados, but i cant recommend it for anyone who doesnt know at least a little about grading comic books already. Grading standards are based on the standards laid out in the overstreet grading guide with additional experience gained from our years in the comic industry. This is an attempt to show the inexperienced collector a rough idea of what constitutes good, fine, near mint etc using 90s amazing spiderman comics as a reference. Books that have been encapsulated and certified by an objective thirdparty grading service take the guesswork out of the grading process for both collectors and dealers. The grading labels fit on top of backing boards, or can be placed over sleeves. A couple of minor flaws might be allowable, but no more.
Mar 27, 2020 when grading a comic book, the first thing youll see is the cover. Pgx was created to meet the growing demand for professional, thirdparty comic book grading. Our company has sat well over 600 world record prices selling vintage comic books at auction. As longtime users of nostomania know, the value of a comic depends strongly on grade. Nov 09, 2012 comic book hot picks for 3420, cgc comment and some new vintage pick ups duration. Vault grading provides grading, pressing, encapsulation, valuation. This book may range anywhere from poor to near mint and there is no obligation to clarify its condition.
Grading your comic books guide revel in the detail comics. The best possible existing condition of that comic book. Grading your comic books guide revel in the detail. It would be very easy to undergrade or overgrade using this book alone.
Special thanks to our comic grading advisor steve borock, president of cbsc comic book certification service, former heritage auctions consignment director and former cgc presidentprimary grader. Certified guaranty company, also known as cgc, is a sarasota, florida comic book grading service. Next, we make sure to study each issue carefully, attempting to relate each comic to the principles of comic book theory. Gp analysis lists us as a cgc the comic book grading authority online auction firm. Comic book grading labels collectors condition comic book. Comic grading once certified by cgc, a comic book is encapsulated in a stateofthe art, tamperevident holder, providing superior protection and stability for longterm preservation.
Cgc uses a 10point grading scale to evaluate comics. Cgc employees are prohibited from commercially buying or selling comic books, eliminating any potential conflicts of interest. The worlds largest collectibles auctioneer comic books, vintage comics, original and animation art. Even professional grading services like cgc, cbcs, and pgx acknowledge that the same book may not always. Who is the most reputable to help get the most value. Aaron albert, a collector of and an expert on comic books, has studied, taught, and written about the comic book genre for more than 20 years. Cover shows significant wear, and may be loose or even detached at one staple. Preventative restoration, widely used and accepted by collectors, consists of nonadditive restoration on a book with one or two major defects. Grading is an inherently subjective process and there will always be small differences in opinion. Consists of accurate highresolution images of the front and back of the book, shown encapsulated in its cgc holder. Comic book certification service cbcs was started by professional comic book hobbyists and provides certification and grading services for collectors and.
The comic book price guide for great britain a guide to grading. All professional graders, whether grading coins, currency, or comics are charged with placing your items under a microscope see logo to determine their condition and therefore value. Discoloration, fading, foxing, and even minor to moderate soiling is allowed. Halo certification pty ltd australiahalo certification united. We are proud to provide certification and grading services for collectors and hobbyist in the comic book industry. Jul 16, 2014 a few weeks ago, i attended a local comic convention here in vancouver and i heard about the new company comic book certification service. Comic grading is the process of encasing a comic book in a plastic case. Comic book grading labels collectors condition comic. In this installment we will take a look at comic book certification services cbcs.
You can think of the grade of a comic book like a grade on a report card. We are currently migrating data to our new system and conducting tests, and we are really excited for you to try it out. A spine split of up to 23 the length of the book, a missing back cover provided the front cover is still attached, severe water damage or residue damage. Comic book grading and restoration may 19, 2016 scott robertson 25 comments comic book grading is one of the most important parts of speculating. The newest and second most popular comic book grading company. The best way to understand why a specific comic book received a check mark designation is to refer to the graders notes.
This is intended to be a basic guide so that you have a general idea of the grade of your books for pricing purposes. Your slab isnt as thick as the other slabs what gives. Vault grading provides grading, pressing, encapsulation, valuation, and screening services to comic book collectors. Newly updated, the overstreet guide to grading comics includes the 10point grading system, as well as exhaustive descriptions of primary and split grades, examples of each grade with more than 200 fullcolor images in all, articles on storage, preservation, and restoration, a look at the independent, thirdparty grading companies, and much more. The ultimate upside to getting your comics cgc graded is that it greatly enhances the value of your comics if they are in really good condition. Comic book hot picks for 3420, cgc comment and some new vintage pick ups duration. For collector and dealer alike, it is essential to grade the condition of a comic fairly and accurately in order to determine its true value and worth.
Our graders enter over 25 comic grading details into the system, and the system uses a grading formula to calculate the grade. First, we carefully curate each weeks released comics and graphic novels. In these rare cases, a check mark will be placed on the label by the numerical grade. Types of damage that place a comic in fr range include. All comics in store graded near mint should be considered near mint or better. Therefore, mcg is acting both as a grading unit for mcb and trying to fill a void in both affordability and availability in the world of comic book grading. By requesting prescreen and specifying a minimum grade on your invoice, you will be charged grading fees only for comic books that meet or exceed your specified minimum grade. Its only been within the last 15 years or so that the problem of bias in comic grading was amended, and it took the form of commercial grading. How to grade your comics comic book grading labels. Certified guaranty company cgc is a leading thirdparty grading service for comic books, magazines and other collectibles. However, grading is an inherently subjective process and there. Comic book grading learn the scale and how to apply it. Comic book grades are given to a book reflecting the quality of printing, storage, and upkeep of a particular book.
We closely monitor and calibrate our staff to maintain adherence to our established standards. Therefore being able to correctly determine the grade of a comic is an important skill for buyers and sellers alike. Grading process certified guaranty company, llc cgc comics. Some comic book stores even have authorized vendors who can send your books in for you. Even professional grading services like cgc, cbcs, and pgx acknowledge that the same book may not always receive the same grade if it is. A comic book in fr condition may have nonstory elements such as coupons, ad pages, or marvel value stamps cut or torn out of the book. This plastic case forever seals your comic, unless you destroy the case to extract the comic. Comic book grading basics what you need to know by admin on thursday, october 15th, 2009 4 comments the grade or condition of a comic book is the most important determination of value outside of the actual title and issue number. Raw grading labels the preprinted labels are colorcoded using the standard 10 pt. There are eight major grades in the comic book grading scale. The overstreet guide to grading comics 2016 edition.
Both of these requirements were lacking for much of comic book history, and in the absence of a reliable method of achieving this, access to the culture was stifled and progress was delayed. Useful for when you are unsure of the grade of a book or do not wish to grade the. When grading a comic book, the first thing youll see is the cover. Oct 24, 2017 buying the overstreet guide which is the bible of grading standards helped me immensely since i am now purchasing comics both at comic book stores and through the internet. If you were to receive a grade on a book you purchased from us, after january 1, 2003, that was graded as nm that came in below 8. Comic books are sent to cgc for grading and encapsulation either directly by the owner through cgcs website or through an.
One area we focused on is the way you submit comics and access your account information. These records are from an impartial 3rd party source gp analysis. Near mint is the highest grade we apply to comics not cgc graded. The graders should be given more flexibility in adjusting the grade for the general feel and appearance of the book. There are grades in between these basic grades such as finevery fine, but we want this to be a general easytofollow comic grading guide for the novice. This collectibles shop page has the standard 10 point grading scale and definitions, as used in the overstreet guide. This company was started by steve borock, the former president of cgc so he definitely has some clout in the industry. We accept payment made by credit card, personal check, money order or we can send you an invoice via paypal using your paypal email address. New releases are brand new, near mint condition unless otherwise graded in the comics description. A guide to grading the comic book price guide for great. I have been a comic book fan, collector, publisher pocket comicsmars attacks 1988 and graphic artist for years necessity is the mother of invention. I got tired of using standard labels, cutting, taping, searching, and wasting time.
In rare cases, a comic book will look much better than the given grade. One of our goals for the new website is to offer an easier online experience for our customers. It is the first independent and impartial third party grading service for comic books the company was launched in early 2000 and has since gone on to become a notable part of the comic book. You then hand the book over to them, and it gets sent off to be graded. A comic must be relatively complete to be successfully restored. Comic book grading at ri consignment, we sell a variety of comic books for sale in our online store.
The primary reason to grade a comic is that there is a direct correlation between the condition of the comic and the value of the book. Digital imaging for comic books submitted under any of cgc grading and service tiers. And in some instances even a second flaw can drop a. Useful for when you are unsure of the grade of a book or do not wish to grade the comic. While a casual collector might not need to bother, its vitally important to have your comics graded if you ever plan to sell them, because the value of a comic varies widely depending on the grade it receives. As a general rule, we err on the lower side of the grading system when listing our comics for sale, to ensure that our customers are not disappointed with their comic purchase. For books that have a signature witness, they are sealed with a special label. Comic book grading company the affordable and reliable. Below are cgcs grading standards for each numeric grade as well as the restoration grading scale. For one, if you have a really valuable book, it offers a form of protection. Our staff of friendly and dedicated employees offer over 250 years of experience in the comic book market place, and look forward to assisting you. Mint mt near mint nm very fine vf fine fn very good vg good gd fair fa poor po this comic book grading scale has been used for several decades, during which time the scale has been expanded to more accurately describe a books condition. While a casual collector might not need to bother, its vitally important to have your comics graded if you ever plan to sell them, because the value of a comic varies widely depending on the grade it. Cgc is an independent member of the certified collectibles group of companies.
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