Indy's Comic Grading Guide

[IndySportsCards]

Here's the 100 point system I use to pre-grade my comics. I thought it might help you guys get a better handle on grading your issues if you don't already have your own guide. Addtional definitons of terms used in the grading guide like Spine Roll, etc.. (http://suite101.com/article/what-to-look-for-when-grading-comic-books-a146178)
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INDY COMICS 100 POINT GRADING WORKSHEET
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COVER GLOSS (Base Score 10) ____ Double Cover
_____ (10) FULL GLOSS
_____ (5) SEMI GLOSS
_____ (0) NO GLOSS

WEAR (Base Score 10) - General Condition of overall book
_____ (10) NO WEAR
_____ (5) MINOR WEAR (small dings, defects from printer, looks like it was handled a little)
_____ (0) MODERATE WEAR (partial creases, spine wear, looks read)
_____ (-10) SIGNIFICANT WEAR (shows substantial color loss, dings, spine wear, looks well read)

SPINE ROLL (Base Score 10)
_____ (10) NO SPINE ROLL
_____ (5) MINOR SPINE ROLL
_____ (0) PRONOUNCED SPINE ROLL

CREASES/WRINKLES/BENDS (Base Score 10) ____ Front ____ Back
_____ (10) NO EVENTS (event must run from one edge to another, otherwise is graded under WEAR)
_____ (-5 per event) (1) (2) (3) (4+) max deduction = -10

SOIL/DISCOLORATION (base score 10)
_____ (10) NO SOIL
_____ (5) MINOR SOIL - visible basically on back of book
_____ (0) MODERATE SOIL - visible front and back, minor writing on book
_____ (-10) SIGNIFICANT SOIL - heavy discoloration front and back, any water spots, significant writing

LOOSE CENTERFOLD (base score 10) ____ one staple from printer
_____ (10) CENTERFOLD TIGHT (attached both staples)
_____ (5) CENTERFOLD LOOSE (attached 1 staple)
_____ (0) CENTERFOLD FREE (centerfold present but not attached)

LOOSE COVER (base score 10)
_____ (10) COVER TIGHT (attached both staples)
_____ (5) COVER LOOSE (attached 1 staple)
_____ (0) COVER FREE (cover present but not attached)

TEARS (base score 10)
_____ (10) NO EVENTS (event must not have material loss, otherwise is graded under PIECE MISSING)
_____ (-5 per event) (1) (2) (3) (4+) max deduction = -10

PIECES MISSING/CHIPPING (base score 10)
_____ (10) NO EVENTS
_____ (-10 per event) (1) (2+) max deduction = -10

INTERIOR YELLOWING (base score 10)
_____ (10) WHITE PAGES
_____ (5) OFF-WHITE PAGES
_____ (0) SIGNIFICANT YELLOWING


_____ TOTAL SCORE
_____ BOOK TITLE
_____ ISSUE NUMBER
_____ RELEASE YEAR
_____ FINAL GRADE (DIVIDE TOTAL SCORE BY 10 TO GET FINAL GRADE)


Overstreet Chart showing minimum and maximum defects per grading tier
http://i791.photobucket.com/albums/yy191/tinyfist/GradeChart_zpsbe416c53.jpg (http://s791.photobucket.com/user/tinyfist/media/GradeChart_zpsbe416c53.jpg.html)
So a 9.8 NM/MT can have 1 but no more than 2 defects as seen in the third set
of data from the left in this chart.

The first set of data, GEM 10.0 can have 0 defects.

GRADING SCALE
Gem Mint = 10
Mint = 9.9
NM/Mt = 9.8
NM+ = 9.6
NM= 9.4
NM- = 9.2
VF/NM = 9.0
VF+ = 8.5
VF = 8.0
VF- = 7.5
F/VF = 7.0
F+ = 6.5
F= 6.0
F - = 5.5
VG/F = 5.0
VG+ =4.5
VG= 4.0
VG- = 3.5
G/VG = 3.0
G+ = 2.5
G = 2.0
G- = 1.8
FR/G = 1.5
FR = 1.0
PR = .5

How to Window/Prep your comic for an author/artist signing (http://comicbookscalping.com/2014/06/13/how-to-prepare-books-for-cgc-ss/)

[IndySportsCards]

Here is a guide (http://www.nostomania.com/servlets/com.nostomania.CatPage?name=ComicsGradingMain) to the different grades with visual examples

[kajshack]

Here is a guide (http://www.nostomania.com/servlets/com.nostomania.CatPage?name=ComicsGradingMain) to the different grades with visual examples

Awesome, that's exactly what I was looking for. Thanks Indy :)!

[mrchipz]

great guide to give people with out the trained eye a solid base!

[mrchipz]

another awesome move

[Gibberish]

I have wondered with the changes to grading and oval spines.
Oval, back in the day, neat the book had not been handled or read for the most part and a book with an oval spine would bring a premium

Is this still the case ?
I have 31 copies of batman 497
All are untouched 3 have oval spines. I debated on getting 10-11 of them graded but unless I am getting 9.8-10 it wouldn't warrant the time and cost.
With there being only 2 copies graded 10 out there I am more hesitant to even consider grading
Back in the 90's I would buy 10 book lots from Titan out of Atlanta. They were bagged in lot bags, Comic bags that are wider. They were always good to me.
So,oval spine,better or no difference in todays market ?

[IndySportsCards]

I'm not sure what an oval spine is Gib. Do you have a photo and/or description of what that means?

I think here in a few months Batman 497 will sell really well graded or not, although as you know, you'll get better returns on graded copies.

[Gibberish]

An oval spine is a comic that has not been compressed by piles of other books. It is a rarity since books are packed in bulk. It has to be one of the top 2-3 copies in order to have this.

It is not flat from the spine till about 1/4 inch in, it has a slight oval pocked seperating the centerfold, it goes flat after that 1/4 inch out to the edge

I cannot scan it and my 200.00 camera is a 200.00 POS :P

[IndySportsCards]

Guys, don't know if you saw this or not, but Blowout has comic supplies!! (http://www.blowoutcards.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=118_297)

[Gibberish]

I guess if you are rural it's a good thing :)
Unless you buy enough items to give free shipping,these really not that much savings.
They should offer them cheaper to encourage initial demand IMO.

[DNOC]

Great Free Comic Grading Resource: FREE-BIGS: the FREE Examples-Based Internet Grading tool (http://www.e-bigs.net/freetool.php)

[IndySportsCards]

That thing rocks DNOC, thanks!

[Hilfiger1975]

Maybe, i might be able to grade my comicbooks better now. :D

[John91C]

Here's another good guide for all the noobs who can't grade comics:

Nostomania Comic Book Grading Guide (http://www.nostomania.com/servlets/com.nostomania.CatPage?name=ComicsGradingMain)

[fastballspecial]

Overstreet's Grading Guide is very good too.

They give you grade as well as pictures of books in that grade and why. It was very helpful for me several years ago.

[IndySportsCards]

I added a chart above in the original post to help with determining grades on your books

[bennyb86]

awesome chart. Now i'm going to have to take a closer look at my comics!

[baseballcarding]

can someone help explain CGC grading to me? I'm confused.

When you go to the site you get three options:

CGC Grading

CGC Sig Series

CCS Pressing

what is most commonly used? CGC Grading @ $20 a pop? what is a CCS pressing?

[IndySportsCards]

can someone help explain CGC grading to me? I'm confused.

When you go to the site you get three options:

CGC Grading

CGC Sig Series

CCS Pressing

what is most commonly used? CGC Grading @ $20 a pop? what is a CCS pressing?

Sig Series is for books you had signed (By an Artist, or Celeb/Writer) and witnessed by a CGC Rep.

CCS Pressing is for books that have minor defects, bends on covers, wrinkles, pressing will get most out and allow the book to get a better grade.

What you typically want is just CGC Grading.. You can add pressing to your order which happens 1st before grading and adds months to the wait time.

[baseballcarding]

Thanks for the info!!

[baseballcarding]

Can I ask another probably dumb question :)

Is CGC the main company for comic book grading. Kind of like PSA seems to be the best as far as profitability in card grading?

[Shi Guy]

Can I ask another probably dumb question :)

Is CGC the main company for comic book grading. Kind of like PSA seems to be the best as far as profitability in card grading?

Yep. CGC is #1 followed by CBCS

[Rotherwood]

delete