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Comic Grading Descriptions

from Overstreet Comic Book Grading Guide 3rd Ed.

with

CGC Graded Comics Examples

Fair - (FR) 1.0

Grade Description: A copy in this grade shows heavy wear. Some collectors consider this the lowest collectible grade because comics books in lesser condition are usually incomplete and/or brittle. Comics in this grade are usually soiled, faded, ragged and possibly unattractive. This is the last grade in which a comic remains generally readable.

Cover/Exterior - Cover may be detached, and inks have lost all reflectivity. Creases, tears, and/or folds are prevalent. Corners are commonly rounded or absent. Soiling and staining is present. Books in this condition generally have all pages and most of the covers, although there may be up to 1/4 of the front cover missing or no back cover, but not both. Tape and other forms of amateur repair are more common.

Spine - Spine roll is more common; spine split can extend up to 2/3 the length of the book.

Staples - Staples may be missing or show rust and discoloration. An accumulation of staple tears and stress lines may be present, as well as rust migration.

Paper/Interior - Paper is brown and may show brittleness around the edges but not in the central portion of the pages. Acidic odor may be present. Accumulation of interior tears. Chunks may be missing. The centerfold may be missing if readability is generally preserved (although there may be difficulty). Coupons may be cut out.

Note: Certain defects are allowed if other defects are not present.
 

Good (GD) 2.0

Grade Description: This grade shows substantial wear; often considered a “reading copy.” Comics in this grade have all pages and covers, although there may be small pieces missing. Books in this grade are commonly creased, scuffed, abraded, soiled, but still completely readable.

Cover/Exterior - Cover show significant wear and may even b detached. Nearly no reflectivity to no reflectivity. Store stamps, name stamp, arrival date and initials are permitted. Book-length creases and dimples may be present. Rounded corners are more common. Moderate soiling, staining, discoloration and foxing may be present. The larges piece allowed missing from the front or back cover is usually a 1/2" triangle or a 1/4" square, although some Silver Age books such as 1960s Marvels have had the price corner box clipped from the top left front cover and may be considered Good if they would otherwise have graded higher. Tape and other forms of amateur repair are common in Silver Age and older books.

Spine -  Definite roll likely. May have up to a 2" spine split.

Staples - Staples may be degraded, replace or missing. Moderate staple tears and stress lines are common, as well as rust migration

Paper/Interior - Paper is brown not brittle. A moderate acidic odor may be present. Centerfold may be loose or detached. Moderate tears may be present.

Note: Certain defects are allowed if other defects are not present.

Good+ (GD+) 2.5

Grade Description: This grade shows substantial wear but less than a GOOD copy. Comics in this grade have all pages and covers, although there may be small pieces missing. Books in this grade are commonly creased, scuffed, abraded, soiled, but still completely readable.

Cover/Exterior - Cover shows significant wear and may even be loose or partially detached. Nearly none to no reflectivity. Store stamp, name stamp, arrival date and initials are permitted. Near book-length creases and dimples may be present. Blunted, abraded or slightly rounded corners are common. Moderate soiling, staining, discoloration and foxing may be present. The largest piece allowed missing from the front or back cover is usually 1/2" triangle or a 1/4" square. Tape and other forms of amateur repair are common in Silver Age and older books.

Spine - Moderate roll is likely. May have up to an 1 - 1/2" split with accumulation of color breaks.

Staples - Staples may be rusted or replaced. Moderated staple tears and stress lines may be present, as well as some rust migration.

Paper/Interior - Paper brown but not brittle. A minor to moderate acidic odor may be present. Centerfold may be loose or detached. Moderate interior tears may be present.

A comic book in Good+ condition can have a moderate to large accumulation of defects but still preserves readability with all coupons still intact.

Note: Certain defects are allowed if other defects are not present.

Good/Very Good (GD/VG) 3.0

Grade Description: A used comic book showing some substantial wear. A copy in this grade has all pages and covers, although there may be small pieces missing. Still a reasonably desirable copy and completely readable.

Cover/Exterior - Cover shows significant wear, and may be loose or even detached at one staple. Cover reflectivity is very low. Can have a book-length crease and/or dimples. Corners may be blunted, abraded, or even slightly rounded. Store stamps, name stamps, arrival dates, initials, have no effect on this grade. An accumulation of discoloration, fading, foxing, and even minor to moderate soiling is allowed. A triangle from 1/4" to 1/2" can be missing out of the corner or edge; a missing 1/8" to 1/4" square is also acceptable. Tape and other amateur repair may be present.

Spine - Moderate spine roll likely. May have a spine split of anywhere from 1" to 1-1/2".

Staples - may be rusted or replaced. Minor to moderate staple tears and moderate stress lines may be present, as well as some rust migration.

Paper/Interior -  Paper is brown but not brittle. A minor to moderate acidic odor can be detected. Centerfold may be loose or detached at one staple. Minor to moderate interior tears may be present.

Note: Certain defects are allowed if other defects are not present.

Very Good (VG) 4.0

Grade Description: The average used comic book. A comic in this grade shows some significant moderate wear, but still has not accumulated enough total defects to reduce eye appeal to the point it is not a desirable copy.

Cover/Exterior - Cover shows moderate to significant wear, and may be loose but not completely detached. Moderate to extreme reduction in reflectivity. Can have an accumulation of creases or dimples. Corners may be blunted or abraded. Store stamps, name stamps, arrival dates, initials, etc. have no effect on this grade. Some discoloration, fading, foxing, and even minor soiling is allowed. As much as a 1/4" triangle can be missing out of the corner or edge; a missing 1/8" square is also acceptable. Only minor unobtrusive tape and other amateur repair allowed on otherwise high grade copies.

Spine – Moderate spine roll may be present and/or a 1" spine split.

Staples – Staples may be discolored. Minor to moderate staple tears and stress lines may be present, as well as some rust migration.

Paper/Interior – Paper is brown but not brittle. A minor acidic odor can be detectable. Minor to moderate tears may be present. Centerfold may be loose or detached at one staple.

Note: Certain defects are allowed if other defects are not present.

Very Good/Fine (VG/FN) 5.0

Grade Description: An above-average but well-used comic book. A comic in this grade shows some moderate ware; eye appeal is somewhat reduced because of the accumulation of defects. Still a desirable copy that has been handled with some care.
 

Bindery Defects – An accumulation of defects is allowed
 

Cover/Exterior – Minor to moderate wear apparent, with minor to moderate crease and/or dimples. Inks have major to extreme reduction in reflectivity. Blunted or abraded corners are increasingly common, as is minor to moderate staining, discoloration, and/or foxing. Stamped or inked arrival dates may be present.
 

Spine – A minor to moderate spine roll is allowed. A spine split of up to 1/2” may be present.
 

Staples – Staples show minor discoloration. A slight accumulation of minor staple tears an an accumulation of minor stress lines may also be present,, as well as minor rust migration. In rare cases, a comic was not stapled at the bindery and therefore has a missing staple; this is not considered a defect. Any staple can be replaced on books up to Fine, but only vintage staples can be use on books from Very Fine to Near Mint. Mint books must have original staples.
 

Paper/Interior – Paper is brown to tan with no signs of brittleness. May have the faintest trace of an acidic odor. Centerfold may be loose but not detached. Minor tears may also be present. Note: Certain defects are allowed if other defects are not present.
 

Note: Certain defects are allowed if other defects are not present.

Grade Description: An average to above average copy that shows moderate wear. Eye appeal is somewhat reduced because of the accumulation of defects. Still a desirable copy that has been handled with some care.

Bindery Defects – A moderate accumulation of defects allowed

Cover/Exterior – Minor surface wear showing, with heightened yellowing or tanning allowed; wear at corners more common. Inks show major reduction in reflectivity. Minor to moderate creases with slight dimpling. Stamped or inked arrival dates allowed. Minor accumulation of discoloration, staining or foxing may be present.

Spine – A minor to spine roll is allowed. Spine can have a 1/4” to 1/2” split or color break at spine.

Staples – Staples show discoloration. Minor staple tears and an accumulation of stress lines may be present as well as minor rust migration. In rare cases, a comic was not stapled at the bindery and therefore has a missing staple; this is not considered a defect. Any staple can be replaced on books up to Fine, but only vintage staples can be use on books from Very Fine to Near Mint. Mint books must have original staples.

Paper/Interior – Paper is brown to tan and fairly supple with no signs of brittleness. Centerfold is loose, but not detached. Minor interior tears may be present.

Note: Certain defects are allowed if other defects are not present.

6.0 Fine (FN)

Grade Description: An above-average copy that shows minor wear but is still relatively flat and clean with no significant creasing or other serious defects.  Eye appeal is somewhat reduced because of slight surface wear and the accumulation of small defects, especially on the spine and edges. A FINE condition comic book appears to have been read a few times and has been handled with moderate care.

Bindery Defects - Some accumulation of minor defects is allowed.

Cover/Exterior - Minor wear apparent, with minor to moderate creases. Inks show a major reduction in reflectivity. Blunted or abraded corners are more common, as is minor staining, soiling, discoloration, and/or foxing.  Stamped or inked arrival dates may be present.

Spine - Staples show minor discoloration. Minor staple tears and an accumulation of stress lines may be present, as well as minor rust migration. In rare cases, a comic was not stapled at the bindery and therefore has a missing staple, this is not considered a defect. Any staple can be replaced on books up to Fine, but only vintage staples can be used on books from Very Fine to Near Mint. Mint books must have original staples.

Staples - Paper is brown to tan and fairly supple with no signs of brittleness. No hint of acidity in the odor of the newsprint. Minor interior tears at the margin may be present. Centerfold may be loose but not detached.

Paper/Interior -

FINE (FN) has historically been the most difficult grade to identify. It is the highest grade which allows a wide range of defects to occur.

Note: Certain defects are allowed if other defects are not present.

An above-average copy that shows minor wear but is still relatively flat and clean with outstanding eye appeal. A small accumulation of minor bindery/printing defects is allowed. Minor cover wear beginning to show, with interior yellowing or tanning allowed, possibly including minor creases. Corners may be blunted or abraded. Inks are generally bright with a moderate reduction in reflectivity. Stamped or inked arrival dates may be present. No obvious soiling, staining or other discoloration except for minor foxing. The slightest spine roll may be present, as well as a possible moderate color break. Staples may show some discoloration. Slight staple tears and a slight accumulation of light stress lines may be present. Slight rust migration. In rare cases, a comic was not stapled at the bindery and therefore has a missing staple; this is not considered a defect. Any staple can be replaced on books up to Fine, but only vintage staples can be used on books from Very Fine to Near Mint. Mint books must have original staples. Paper is (no worse than) tan to cream, but not brown. No hint of acidity in the odor of the newsprint. Centerfold is mostly secure. Minor interior tears at the margin may be present.

An excellent copy with outstanding eye appeal. Sharp, bright and clean with supple pages. A comic book is this grade has the appearance of having been carefully handled. A limited accumulation of minor bindery/printing defects is allowed. Cover is relatively flat with minimal surface wear beginning to show, possibly including some minute wear at corners. Inks are generally bright with moderate to high reflectivity. An unnoticeable 1/4" crease is acceptable if color is not broken. Stamped or inked arrival dates may be present. No obvious soiling, staining or other discoloration except for minor foxing. Spine is almost flat with no roll. Possible minor color break is allowed. Staples may show some discoloration. Very slight staple tears and a few almost very minor to minor stress lines may be present. No rust migration. In rare cases, a comic was not stapled at the bindery and therefore has a missing staple; this is not considered a defect. Any staple can be replaced on books up to Fine, but only vintage staples can be used on books from Very Fine to Near Mint. Mint books must have original staples. Paper is (no worse than) tan to cream and supple. No hint of acidity in the odor of the newsprint. Centerfold is mostly secure. Minor interior tears at the margin may be present.

Nearly perfect with outstanding eye appeal. A limited number of bindery/printing defects are allowed. Almost flat cover with almost imperceptible wear. Inks are bright with slightly diminished reflectivity. An 1/8" bend is allowed if color is not broken. Corners are cut square and sharp with ever-so-slight blunting permitted but no creases. Several lightly penciled, stamped or inked arrival dates are acceptable. No obvious soiling, staining or other discoloration except for very minor foxing. Spine is tight and flat. No spine roll or split allowed. Staples may show some discoloration. Only the slightest staple tears are allowed. A very minor accumulation of stress lines may be present if they are nearly imperceptible. No rust migration. In rare cases, a comic was not stapled at the bindery and therefore has a missing staple; this is not considered a defect. Any staple can be replaced on books up to Fine, but only vintage staples can be used on books from Very Fine to Near Mint. Mint books must have original staples. Paper is (no worse than) cream to off-white and supple. No hint of acidity in the odor of the newsprint. Centerfold is firmly secure. Very minor interior tears may be present.

Nearly perfect with only minor imperfections that keep it from the next higher grade. Minor feathering that does not detract from the overall beauty of an otherwise higher grade copy is acceptable for this grade. The overall look is "as if it was just purchased and read once or twice." (If you're careful with handling, there's no way to tell how many times a comic has been read, or if unread, so don't always believe that 'unread' hype.) Subtle bindery/printing defects are allowed. Bindery tears must be less than 1/16" on Silver Age and later books, although on Golden Age books bindery tears of up to 1/4" have been noted. Cover is flat with (almost) no surface wear. Inks are bright with high reflectivity and a minimum of fading. Generally well centered and firmly secured to interior pages. Corners are cut square and sharp with ever-so-slight blunting permitted. A 1/16" bend is permitted with no color break. No creases. Small, inconspicuous, lightly penciled, stamped or inked arrival dates are acceptable as long as they are in an unobtrusive location. No soiling, staining or other discoloration apart from some slight foxing. Spine is tight and flat. No spine roll or split allowed. Staples are generally centered; may have slight discoloration. No staple tears are allowed; almost no stress lines. No rust migration. In rare cases, a comic was not stapled at the bindery and therefore has a missing staple; this is not considered a defect. Any staple can be replaced on books up to Fine, but only vintage staples can be used on books from Very Fine to Near Mint. Mint books must have original staples. Paper is (no worse than) off-white to cream, supple and fresh. No hint of acidity in the odor of the newsprint. Centerfold is firmly secure. Slight interior tears are allowed. Personal note: Most people will allow very minor surface 'wear' in the form of little 'shelf-wear' scuffs, and there's plenty of 9.4 graded comics with very minor surface wear. Goes for 9.0-9.2 also. If slight foxing is allowed, then very light small scuffs/rubs should be too.

Near perfect in every way. Only subtle bindery or printing defects are allowed. ("Subtle" as in nearly invisible, and grading companies may not allow it for their 9.9 either.) Cover is flat with no surface wear. Inks are bright with high reflectivity and minimal fading. Corners are cut square and sharp. Small, inconspicuous, lightly penciled, stamped or inked arrival dates are acceptable as long as they are in an unobtrusive location. Spine is tight and flat. Staples must be original, generally centered and clean with no rust. Paper is white, supple and fresh. Personal note: Back cover stamps/writing is less 'offensive' to most collectors, but most collectors don't like them on the front, so comics with front cover stamps/writing usually fetch lower prices for the same grade, and many dealers will downgrade a bit for such stamps/writing. To me, this applies to most grades of 9.2 or above, others may consider a wider or smaller range.

 

Nearly perfect in every way with only minor imperfections that keep it from the next higher grade. Only subtle bindery or printing defects are allowed. Cover is flat with no surface wear. Inks are bright with high reflectivity and minimal fading. Corners are cut square and sharp. Small, inconspicuous, lightly penciled, stamped or inked arrival dates are acceptable as long as they are in an unobtrusive location. Spine is tight and flat. Staples must be original, generally centered and clean with no rust. Paper is white, supple and fresh. Only the slightest interior tears are allowed.