Indy's Comic Grading Guide

IndySportsCards · 06-10-2012, 01:20 PM

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..
===================================
INDY COMICS 100 POINT GRADING WORKSHEET
===================================

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

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

IndySportsCards · 06-10-2012, 06:01 PM

Here is a guide to the different grades with visual examples

kajshack · 06-10-2012, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IndySportsCards

Here is a guide to the different grades with visual examples

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

mrchipz · 06-11-2012, 02:28 AM

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

mrchipz · 06-13-2012, 10:08 AM

another awesome move

Gibberish · 06-14-2012, 01:28 AM

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 · 06-14-2012, 09:15 AM

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 · 06-14-2012, 01:24 PM

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 · 08-23-2012, 02:26 PM

Guys, don't know if you saw this or not, but Blowout has comic supplies!!

Gibberish · 08-23-2012, 03:52 PM

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 · 02-07-2013, 12:32 AM

Great Free Comic Grading Resource: FREE-BIGS: the FREE Examples-Based Internet Grading tool

IndySportsCards · 02-07-2013, 12:43 AM

That thing rocks DNOC, thanks!

Hilfiger1975 · 02-14-2013, 07:51 PM

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

John91C · 03-17-2013, 04:22 PM

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

Nostomania Comic Book Grading Guide

fastballspecial · 11-19-2013, 06:46 AM

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 · 02-15-2014, 09:52 PM

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

bennyb86 · 05-09-2016, 09:49 PM

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

baseballcarding · 08-24-2020, 11:00 PM

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 · 08-24-2020, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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?

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 · 08-24-2020, 11:48 PM

Thanks for the info!!

baseballcarding · 08-26-2020, 11:28 PM

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 · 08-27-2020, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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?

Yep. CGC is #1 followed by CBCS

Rotherwood · 08-12-2022, 05:54 PM

delete

06-10-2012, 06:01 PM	#2
IndySportsCards Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: EO 13848 Posts: 41,661 braco0 IndySportsCards	Here is a guide to the different grades with visual examples __________________ Most people would rather be in the majority, than be right.

06-11-2012, 02:28 AM	#4
mrchipz Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 3,782	great guide to give people with out the trained eye a solid base! __________________ Currently Collecting - Anthony Volpe

06-13-2012, 10:08 AM	#5
mrchipz Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 3,782	another awesome move __________________ Currently Collecting - Anthony Volpe

06-14-2012, 01:28 AM	#6
Gibberish Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North Georgia Posts: 8,047	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 ? __________________ *Square one, here I come*

06-14-2012, 09:15 AM	#7
IndySportsCards Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: EO 13848 Posts: 41,661 braco0 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. __________________ Most people would rather be in the majority, than be right.

06-10-2012, 01:20 PM	#1
IndySportsCards Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: EO 13848 Posts: 41,661 braco0 IndySportsCards	Indy's Comic Grading Guide 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.. =================================== INDY COMICS 100 POINT GRADING WORKSHEET =================================== 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 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 __________________ Most people would rather be in the majority, than be right. Last edited by IndySportsCards; 10-07-2014 at 08:46 AM.

06-14-2012, 01:24 PM	#8
Gibberish Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North Georgia Posts: 8,047	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 __________________ *Square one, here I come*

08-23-2012, 02:26 PM	#9
IndySportsCards Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: EO 13848 Posts: 41,661 braco0 IndySportsCards	Guys, don't know if you saw this or not, but Blowout has comic supplies!! __________________ Most people would rather be in the majority, than be right.

08-23-2012, 03:52 PM	#10
Gibberish Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North Georgia Posts: 8,047	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. __________________ *Square one, here I come*

02-07-2013, 12:32 AM	#11
DNOC Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,045	Great Free Comic Grading Resource: FREE-BIGS: the FREE Examples-Based Internet Grading tool

02-07-2013, 12:43 AM	#12
IndySportsCards Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: EO 13848 Posts: 41,661 braco0 IndySportsCards	That thing rocks DNOC, thanks! __________________ Most people would rather be in the majority, than be right.

02-14-2013, 07:51 PM	#13
Hilfiger1975 Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Ohio Posts: 2,728 hilfiger1975	Maybe, i might be able to grade my comicbooks better now. __________________ Trading my Sports Cards for your comicbooks Instagram: jason.l.warner1

03-17-2013, 04:22 PM	#14
John91C Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Deep in the Heart of TEXAS! Posts: 5,584 joyoo	Here's another good guide for all the noobs who can't grade comics: Nostomania Comic Book Grading Guide __________________ Photobucket (not always up to date): http://s160.photobucket.com/albums/t199/John91C/

11-19-2013, 06:46 AM	#15
fastballspecial Member Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 684 fbscomics	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.

02-15-2014, 09:52 PM	#16
IndySportsCards Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: EO 13848 Posts: 41,661 braco0 IndySportsCards	I added a chart above in the original post to help with determining grades on your books __________________ Most people would rather be in the majority, than be right.

05-09-2016, 09:49 PM	#17
bennyb86 Member Join Date: May 2016 Posts: 2	awesome chart. Now i'm going to have to take a closer look at my comics!

08-24-2020, 11:00 PM	#18
baseballcarding Member Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 382 805sportscards	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?

08-24-2020, 11:48 PM	#20
baseballcarding Member Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 382 805sportscards	Thanks for the info!!

08-26-2020, 11:28 PM	#21
baseballcarding Member Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 382 805sportscards	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?

08-12-2022, 05:54 PM	#23
Rotherwood Banned - PBM Join Date: Aug 2022 Posts: 314 AlliedExchange	delete Last edited by Rotherwood; 08-12-2022 at 05:57 PM.