Gem Mint (GM) - 10.0
An Exceptional Example - The Best Ever Seen. The Overall Look Is "As If It Has Never Been Handled Or Released For Purchase."
Mint (MT) - 9.9
Near Perfect In Every Way - Only Subtle Bindery Defects, No Bindery Tears. Cover Lies Flat, No Wear, Well Centered And Secure. Small, Inconspicuous Dates/Initials Allowed. Paper Quality Is White, Supple & Fresh. The Overall Look Is "As If It Was Just Purchased."
Near Mint/Mint (NM/MT) - 9.8
Nearly Perfect In Every Way - Only Minor Imperfections That Keep It From The Next Higher Grade. Only Subtle Bindery Defects, No Bindery Tears. Small, Inconspicuous Dates/Initials Allowed. Almost Unnoticeable/Slightest Interior Page Tears Allowed. Paper Quality Is Off-White To White, Supple & Fresh. The Overall Look Is "As If It Was Just Purchased."
Near Mint+ (NM+) - 9.6
Nearly Perfect With A Minor Additional Virtue Or Virtues That Raise It From Near Mint. Only Subtle Bindery Defects Allowed, No Bindery Tears On Silver Age & Later, 1/8 Allowed On Golden Age. Cover Flat, No Wear & Well Centered. Almost Imperceptible Cover Indentations Allowed. Staples Need To Be Original, Generally Well Centered With Slight Discoloration. No Spine Stress Lines Allowed. Corners Need To Be Almost Sharp, One Imperceptible Blunted Corner Allowed. Paper Quality/Color Is Off-White, Supple & Fresh. The Overall Look Is "As If It Was Just Purchased And Read Once Or Twice."
Near Mint (NM) - 9.4
Nearly Perfect With Only Minor Imperfections That Keep It From The Next Higher Grade. Subtle Bindery Defects Allowed, Bindery Tears Up To 1/16" On Silver Age & Later, 1/4" On Golden Age. Cover Flat, No Wear, Generally Centered, Secure. 1/16" Corner Bend With No Color Break Allowed. No Soiling/Staining Allowed Except For Slight Foxing. Staples Generally Centered With Slight Discoloration Allowed. Almost No Spine Stress Lines Allowed Ever-So-Slight Blunting Of Corners But No Creases. Paper Quality Off-White/Cream, Supple & Fresh. The Overall Look Is "As If Was Just Purchased And Read Once Or Twice.
Near Mint- (NM-) - 9.2
Nearly Perfect With Only A Minor Additional Defect Or Defects That Keep It From Near Mint. Limited Number Of Minor Bindery/Printing Defects Allowed. Cover Gloss Shows The Slightest Dimming Of Reflectivity. 1/16" To 1/8" Corner Bend Allowed With No Color Break. Some Discoloration Of Staples Allowed. Almost No Spine Stress Lines Allowed. Paper Quality Off-White To Cream, Supple & Fresh. The Overall Look Is 'As If It Was Just Purchased & Read Once Or Twice."
Very Fine/Near Mint (VF/NM) - 9.0
Nearly Perfect With Outstanding Eye Appeal. Cover Gloss Shows Slightly Diminished Reflectivity. Cover Almost Flat With Imperceptible Wear. 1/8" Bend With No Color Break Allowed. Several Dates, Stamps And/or Initials Allowed. Very Minor Foxing Allowed. Only The Slightest Staple Tears Allowed. Very Minor Accumulation Of Nearly Imperceptible Stress Lines Allowed. The Overall Look Is "As If It Was Just Purchased And Read A Few Times."
Note: On The Grades Listed Below Certain Defects
Are Allowed If Other Defects Are Not Present.
Very Fine+ (VF+) - 8.5
An Almost Near Perfect Copy With Outstanding Eye Appeal. Very Limited Accumulation Of Minor Bindery/Printing Defects Allowed. Cover Gloss Is Generally Bright With Moderate To High Reflectivity. Cover Almost Flat With Minimal Wear. 1/8" To 1/4" Corner Bend With No Color Break Allowed. Spine Is Almost Completely Flat With No Roll. Spine Split With Very Minor Color Break Allowed. Very Minute Corner Wear With No Creases Allowed. Very Minor Interior Pages Tears In Margins Allowed. Paper Quality Cream, Supple. A Comic Book In This Grade Has The Appearance Of Having Been Carefully Handled.
Very Fine (VF) - 8.0
An Excellent Copy With Outstanding Eye Appeal. 1/4" Corner Bend With No Color Break Allowed. Very Slight Spine Roll, Almost Completely Flat. Dates, Initials & Store Stamps Allowed. Very Minor To Minor Spine Stress Lines Allowed. Paper Quality Cream To Tan, Supple. A Comic Book In This Grade Has The Appearance Of Having Been Carefully Handled.
Very Fine- (VF-) - 7.5
An Above Average Copy That Shows Very Minor Wear But Is Still Relatively Flat & Clean With Outstanding Eye Appeal. A Copy With Slightly More Wear Than A Very Fine Copy. Sharp, Bright & Clean With Supple Pages. Limited Accumulation Of Minor Bindery/Printing Defects Allowed. Cover Gloss Is Generally Bright With Slight To Moderate Reduction In Reflectivity. Cover Is Mostly Flat With Minimal Wear, Yellowing Or Tanning Allowed. 1/4" To 1/2" Corner Bend With Very Slight Color Break Allowed. Minor Spine Split With Moderate Color Break Allowed. Accumulation Of Slight Staple Tears Allowed. Slight Staple Rust Migration Allowed. A Few Minor Spine Stress Lines Allowed. Slight Wear At Corners With Blunting Or Abrading Allowed. Paper Quality Cream To Tan, Supple. A Comic Book At This Grade Has The Appearance Of Having Been Handled Carefully.
Fine/Very Fine (FN/VF) - 7.0
An Above-Average Copy That Shows Minor Wear But Is Still Relatively Flat & Clean With Outstanding Eye Appeal. A Small Accumulation Of Minor Bindery/Printing Defects Allowed. Moderate Reduction In Cover Gloss Reflectivity. Minor Cover Creases Allowed. Minimal Wear, Interior Yellowing Or Tanning Of Cover Allowed. Slightest Spine Roll Allowed. Slight Staple Rust Migration Allowed. Small Accumulation Of Light Spine Stress Lines Allowed. Corners May Be Blunted Or Abraded. Paper Quality Cream To Tan, Not Brown. A Comic Book In This Grade Appears To Have Been Read A Few Times & Has Been Handled With Care.
Fine+ (FN+) - 6.5
An Above-Average Copy That Shows Minor Wear But Is Still Relatively Flat & Clean With No Significant Creasing Or Other Serious Defects. Eye Appeal Is Slightly Reduced Because Of Light Surface Wear & The Accumulation Of Small Defects, Especially On The Spine & Edges. Moderate To Major Reduction In Cover Gloss Reflectivity. Minimal To Minor Cover Wear. Minor Accumulation Of Cover Creases Allowed. Slight Discoloration, Staining And/or Foxing Of Covers Allowed. Slight To Minor Spine Roll Allowed. Up To 1/8" Spine Split Or Sever Color Break Allowed. Slight To Minor Staple Tears Allowed. Slight To Minor Staple Rust Migration Allowed. Accumulation Of Minor Spine Stress Lines Allowed. Corners Many Be Blunted Or Abraded. Centerfold May Be Slightly Loose. Paper Quality Cream To Tan, Not Brown. A Fine+ Comic Book Appears To Have Been Read A Few Times & Has Been Handled With Moderate Care.
Fine (FN) - 6.0
An Above-Average Copy That Shows Minor Wear But Is Still Relatively Flat & Clean With No Significant Creasing Or Other Serious Defects. Eye Appeal Is Somewhat Reduced Because Of Slight Surface Wear & The Accumulation Of Small Defects, Especially On The Spine & Edges. Some Accumulation Of Minor Bindery/Printing Defects Allowed. Major Reduction Of Cover Gloss Reflectivity. Minor Color Wear. Minor To Moderate Cover Creases Allowed. Minor Cover Discoloration, Staining And/or Foxing Allowed. Up To 1/4" Spine Split Or Sever Color Break Allowed. Minor Staple Discoloration & Minor Staple Tears Allowed. Minor Staple Rust Migration Allowed. Accumulation Of Minor Spine Stress Lines Allowed. Blunting Or Abrading Of Corners More Common. Centerfold May Be Loose But Not Detached. Paper Quality Tan To Brown, Supple, Not Brittle. A Fine Condition Comic Book Appears To Have Been Read A Few Times & Has Been Handled With Moderate Care.
Fine- (FN-) - 5.5
An Average To Above Average Copy That Shows Moderate Wear. Eye Appeal Is Somewhat Reduced Because Of The Accumulation Of Defects. Moderate Accumulation Of Bindery/Printing Defects Allowed. Minor Cover Wear With Heightened Yellowing Or Tanning. Minor To Moderate Cover Creases With Slight Dimpling. Minor Accumulation Of Cover Discoloration, Staining And/or Foxing. Minor Spine Roll Allowed. Up To 1/4" To 1/2" Split Or Color Break Allowed. Paper Quality Tan To Brown, Supple, Not Brittle. Interior Pages Minor Tears Allowed. Still A Desirable Copy That Has Been Handled With Some Care.
Very Good/Fine (VG/FN) - 5.0
An Above-Average But Well-Used Comic Book. Major To Extreme Reduction In Cover Gloss Reflectivity. Minor To Moderate Cover Wear. Minor To Moderate Cover Creases & Dimples. Minor To Moderate Cover Discoloration, Staining And/or Foxing. Minor To Moderate Spine Roll Allowed. Up To 1/2" Spine Split Allowed. Minor Staple Discoloration With A Slight Accumulation Of Minor Staple Tears Allowed. Corner Blunting Or Abrasion Increasingly Common. Centerfold May Be Loose But Not Detached. Paper Quality Is Tan To Brown, Supple, Not Brittle. A Comic In This Grade Shows Some Moderate Wear: Eye Appeal Is Somewhat Reduced Because Of The Accumulation Of Defects. Still A Desirable Copy That Has Been Handled With Some Care
Very Good+ (VG+) - 4.5
An Average Comic Book With Less Wear & Defects Than One In Very Good. Bindery/Printing Defects Do Not Affect Grade. Cover Shows Moderate Wear & May Be Loose. Minor To Moderate Accumulation Of Cover Creases & Dimples. Moderate Accumulating Of Cover Discoloration, Fading, Foxing, Even Minor Soiling Allowed. Dates & Stamps Do Not Affect Grade. Minor To Moderate Spine Roll Allowed. 1/2" To 1" Spine Split Allowed. Minor To Major Discoloration Of Staples Allowed. Minor To Moderate Staple Rust Migration Allowed. Minor Accumulation Of Spine Stress Lines Allowed. Centerfold May Be Loose Or Detached At One Staple. Minor Interior Tears Allowed Throughout Book. May Have A 1/8" Triangle Or 1/16" Square Piece Missing. A Comic In This Grade Shows Some Moderate Wear But Still Has Enough Eye Appeal To Be A Desirable Copy.
Very Good (VG) - 4.0
The Average Used Comic Book. Moderate To Significant Cover Wear, May Be Loose. Accumulation Of Cover Creases & Dimples. Some Cover Discoloration, Fading, Foxing, Even Minor Soiling Allowed. Moderate Spine Roll Allowed. Up To 1" Spine Split Allowed. Staples Discolored With Minor To Moderate Tears Allowed. Some Staple Rust Migration Allowed. Minor To Moderate Spine Stress Lines Allowed. Corners May Be Blunted And/or Abraded. Minor To Moderate Interior Page Tears Allowed. Paper Quality May Be Brown, Not Brittle. May Have A 1/4" Triangle Or 1/8" Square Piece Missing. A Comic In This Grade Shows Some Significant To Moderate Wear, But Still Has Not Accumulated Enough Total Defects To Reduce Eye Appeal To The Point That It Is Not A Desirable Copy.
Very Good- (VG-) - 3.5
An Average Comic Book With More Wear & Defects Than One In Very Good. Cover Shows Significant Wear, May Be Loose Or Detached At One Staple. Moderate Accumulation Of Cover Creases Or Dimples. Accumulation Of Cover Discoloration, Fading, Foxing, Even Minor Soiling. Moderate Spine Roll Allowed. Up To 1" Spine Split With Possible Color Break Allowed. Discolored Staples With One Missing Or Replaced Allowed. Minor To Moderate Staple Tears Allowed. 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 That It Is Not A Desirable Copy.
Good/Very Good (GD/VG) - 3.0
A Used Comic Book Showing Some Substantial Wear. A Copy In This Grade Has All Pages And Covers, Although The May Be Small Pieces Missing. Very Low Cover Gloss Reflectivity. Book Length Cover Creases, Minor Dimples Allowed. Accumulation Of Cover Discoloration, Fading, Foxing & Minor To Moderate Soiling Allowed. Moderate Spine Roll Likely. Up To 1 1/2" Spine Split Allowed. Staples May Be Rusted Or Replaced. Moderate Spine Stress Lines Allowed. Blunted Or Abrading Corners More Common, May Be Slightly Rounded. 1/4" To 1/2" Triangle, 1/8" To 1/4" Square Missing Pieces Allowed. Amateur Repairs May Be Present. Still A Reasonably Desirable Copy & Completely Readable.
Good+ (GD+) - 2.5
This Grade Shows Substantial Wear But Less Than A Good Copy. Comics In This Grade Have All Pages & Covers. Although There May Be Small Pieces Missing. Nearly No To No Cover Gloss Reflectivity. Cover Shows Significant Wear, May Be Loose Or Detached At Staples. Accumulation Of Cover Discoloration, Fading, Foxing Or Moderate Soiling. Up To 1 1/2" Spine Split With Accumulation Of Color Breaks. Moderate Staple Tears Allowed. Centerfold May Be Loose Or Detached At Both Staples. Books In This Grade Are Commonly Creased, Scuffed, Abraded, Soiled But Still Completely Readable.
Good (GD) - 2.0
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. Significant Cover Wear, May Be Detached. Book-Length Cover Creases With Other Minor To Moderate Crease, Dimples Allowed. Spine Roll Likely. Up To 2" Spine Split Allowed. Staples Degraded, Replaced Or Missing. Spine Stress Lines Common. Rounded Corners More Common. Amateur Repairs In Silver Age Or Older More Common. Books In This Grade Are Commonly Creased, Scuffed, Abraded, Soiled, But Still Completely Readable.
Good- (GD-) - 1.8
A Comic Showing Substantial To Heavy Wear. A Copy In This Grade Still Has All Pages & Covers, Although There May Be Pieces Missing. Significant Considerable Cover Wear, May Be Detached. Cover Creases, Tears, Folds & Major Dimpling Allowed. Spine Roll More Likely. Up To 2" Spine Split With Major Color Break Allowed. Accumulation Of Moderate Staple Tears Allowed. Spine Stress Lines Common. Rounded Corners Common. Paper Quality Brown With Very Slight Brittleness. Books In This Grade Are Commonly Creased, Scuffed, Abraded, Soiled & Possibly Unattractive, But Still Readable.
Fair/Good (FR/GD) - 1.5
A Comic Showing Substantial To Heavy Wear. A Copy In This Grade Still Has All Pages & Covers, Although There May Be Pieces Missing. Cover Shows Considerable Wear, Creases, Tears & Folds. Cover Soiling & Staining Generally Present. Spine Roll Common. Between 2" & 2/3 Length Spine Split Allowed. Staple Tears Are Common. Rounded Corners Very Common. Interior Page Tears Common. Paper Quality Brown, Edges Show Brittleness. Up To 1/10 Of The Back Cover Can Be Missing. Books In This Grade Are Commonly Creased, Scuffed, Abraded, Soiled & Possibly Unattractive, But Still Generally Readable.
