Grading Guide - tips, hints, and examples
Moderators: Daniel Jackson, greg
- 400yrs
- Am I Too Old to be Licking This?
- Posts: 11484
- Joined: Wed Nov 24, 2004 11:55 am
- Valiant fan since: A&A #0
- Favorite character: Shadowman
- Favorite title: Harbinger
- Favorite writer: Dysart
- Favorite artist: Lapham
- Location: #champabay
Re: Grading Guide - tips, hints, and examples
Very hard to see, but 8.5-9.0 based on that pic.
ASM Crossover Home
- bosco685
- H.A.R.D.E.R. Corps, with Extra Resistance
- Posts: 1029
- Joined: Wed Apr 23, 2008 9:19 am
- Location: Virginia, USA
Re: Grading Guide - tips, hints, and examples
Any chance you can show closeup photos of the creases you are talking about?FormerReader wrote:It's hard to see, but there are four quarter inch non-color breaking creases along the back cover spine. There are a few other non-color breaking creases on the back and front covers that look like someone slightly bent the covers when they were pulling the comic out of a bag.
- FormerReader
- I spoke with Dino and he said you can divulge all information to me.
- Posts: 3754
- Joined: Fri Jun 03, 2011 10:15 pm
- Location: Florida
Re: Grading Guide - tips, hints, and examples
This 1st one is right above the staple. No color break. About 1/4" in length.


- FormerReader
- I spoke with Dino and he said you can divulge all information to me.
- Posts: 3754
- Joined: Fri Jun 03, 2011 10:15 pm
- Location: Florida
Re: Grading Guide - tips, hints, and examples
The 2nd one is just above the lightning bolt. 1/4" in length. No color break.


- FormerReader
- I spoke with Dino and he said you can divulge all information to me.
- Posts: 3754
- Joined: Fri Jun 03, 2011 10:15 pm
- Location: Florida
Re: Grading Guide - tips, hints, and examples
The 3rd is in the corner. 1/4" no color break.


- bosco685
- H.A.R.D.E.R. Corps, with Extra Resistance
- Posts: 1029
- Joined: Wed Apr 23, 2008 9:19 am
- Location: Virginia, USA
Re: Grading Guide - tips, hints, and examples
VERY FINE (Rating Scale of 7.5 to 8.5 out of 10.0): A comic book falling into this category shows signs of being carefully handled but excessively read. Up to a ¼” corner bend is allowed, but not an extremely large bend that detracts from the eye appeal of the book too much. Slight staple tears are detectable, and staple discoloration may start to appear. Stress lines along the spine are very apparent, but not excessive to the point the book is more Fine/Very Fine. Pages can be tan to cream. Penciled, stamped, or inked arrival dates are detectable.
VERY FINE/NEAR MINT (Rating Scale of 9.0 out of 10.0): A nice looking book, but with acceptable bindery defects and staples that start to show signs of minor wear. It is not uncommon to see a 1/8” corner bend, and very minor foxing. Spine stress lines will be apparent, but should not be excessive or otherwise this would be in the Very Fine or less category. Pages can be cream to off-white, but generally fresh looking. Extremely small penciled, stamped, or inked arrival dates are acceptable as long as they are in an inconspicuous area.
NEAR MINT (Rating Scale of 9.2 to 9.6 out of 10.0): A book that looks like it was freshly purchased and read a few times. Small bindery defects are allowed, along with small corner blunting, 1/16” to 1/8” creases, and very slight discoloration. No staple rusting is allowed, and a number of spine stress lines are detectable or otherwise this would be a 9.8 copy. Extremely small penciled, stamped, or inked arrival dates are acceptable as long as they are in an inconspicuous area. Pages can be cream to off-white, but generally fresh looking.
Is anyone really seeing a book that was excessively read here?
VERY FINE/NEAR MINT (Rating Scale of 9.0 out of 10.0): A nice looking book, but with acceptable bindery defects and staples that start to show signs of minor wear. It is not uncommon to see a 1/8” corner bend, and very minor foxing. Spine stress lines will be apparent, but should not be excessive or otherwise this would be in the Very Fine or less category. Pages can be cream to off-white, but generally fresh looking. Extremely small penciled, stamped, or inked arrival dates are acceptable as long as they are in an inconspicuous area.
NEAR MINT (Rating Scale of 9.2 to 9.6 out of 10.0): A book that looks like it was freshly purchased and read a few times. Small bindery defects are allowed, along with small corner blunting, 1/16” to 1/8” creases, and very slight discoloration. No staple rusting is allowed, and a number of spine stress lines are detectable or otherwise this would be a 9.8 copy. Extremely small penciled, stamped, or inked arrival dates are acceptable as long as they are in an inconspicuous area. Pages can be cream to off-white, but generally fresh looking.
Is anyone really seeing a book that was excessively read here?
- bosco685
- H.A.R.D.E.R. Corps, with Extra Resistance
- Posts: 1029
- Joined: Wed Apr 23, 2008 9:19 am
- Location: Virginia, USA
Re: Grading Guide - tips, hints, and examples
Even with that tiny corner fold in the upper right-hand corner of the front cover, so there is so much "freshness" going on with the book the detractors do not seem enough to make this book less than 9.0, and I would assume White Pages from the brightness of the cover.
Maybe I'm wrong.
Maybe I'm wrong.
- 400yrs
- Am I Too Old to be Licking This?
- Posts: 11484
- Joined: Wed Nov 24, 2004 11:55 am
- Valiant fan since: A&A #0
- Favorite character: Shadowman
- Favorite title: Harbinger
- Favorite writer: Dysart
- Favorite artist: Lapham
- Location: #champabay
Re: Grading Guide - tips, hints, and examples
If you sold me that book as a 9.2, I'd be disappointed and likely wouldn't buy from you again.
The problem with using the Overstreet verbiage to determine grades is that you can interpret the words any way you like. These grader comments in any guide are just that - a guide. There's no substitute for practice in actual grading.
If you must use the guide definitions, start at the lowest grade and work your way to the higher grade. Don't start high because you'll always over grade. As soon as you see "stress lines along the spine are apparent" within the VERY FINE range, that's where I would stop. Thus, 8.5.
As far as how I came up with the 8.5:
The scans aren't that great and the corners are chopped off in some cases so I could only grade what I could see. Which is:
Front cover -
- Top right color breaking corner crease
- Grime spot on the edge by "Time"
- 4 color breaking spine creases that can be seen (likely more non-color breaking)
- corners may be blunted, but hard to tell
Back cover -
bottom corner ding - I hate seeing dings like that because they usually go through to the front cover and are often symptomatic of more unseen problems.
Too much going on to be a 9.2, IMO.
On the other hand, I've received books like that from people here on the boards as "NM". You can bet I don't buy from them anymore.
The problem with using the Overstreet verbiage to determine grades is that you can interpret the words any way you like. These grader comments in any guide are just that - a guide. There's no substitute for practice in actual grading.
If you must use the guide definitions, start at the lowest grade and work your way to the higher grade. Don't start high because you'll always over grade. As soon as you see "stress lines along the spine are apparent" within the VERY FINE range, that's where I would stop. Thus, 8.5.
As far as how I came up with the 8.5:
The scans aren't that great and the corners are chopped off in some cases so I could only grade what I could see. Which is:
Front cover -
- Top right color breaking corner crease
- Grime spot on the edge by "Time"
- 4 color breaking spine creases that can be seen (likely more non-color breaking)
- corners may be blunted, but hard to tell
Back cover -
bottom corner ding - I hate seeing dings like that because they usually go through to the front cover and are often symptomatic of more unseen problems.
Too much going on to be a 9.2, IMO.
On the other hand, I've received books like that from people here on the boards as "NM". You can bet I don't buy from them anymore.
ASM Crossover Home
- bosco685
- H.A.R.D.E.R. Corps, with Extra Resistance
- Posts: 1029
- Joined: Wed Apr 23, 2008 9:19 am
- Location: Virginia, USA
Re: Grading Guide - tips, hints, and examples
Lee, please show me a picture of a 9.2 then. I'd love the education.400yrs wrote:Too much going on to be a 9.2, IMO.
That book due to the upper corner bend is most probably a 9.0 over a 9.2 (I didn't see that before posting my original grade). But I would disagree with it being an 8.5 as I have seen a number of CGC 8.5s and 9.0s, and that book would not fall into the 8.5 side of things by their unpublished standards.
But again, I'd love to see a picture of your 9.2 as pictures can be a big help. And that is asked with the best intentions, as I have had my share of misgraded books sent to me and understand how annoying this can be.
I guess it depends on your sensitivity to certain defects too. Some will not grade a book over 9.0 if it has any spine stress lines, and some if there are any corner bends of any kind.
- FormerReader
- I spoke with Dino and he said you can divulge all information to me.
- Posts: 3754
- Joined: Fri Jun 03, 2011 10:15 pm
- Location: Florida
Re: Grading Guide - tips, hints, and examples
Sorry about the scans. Let me try and clear a few things up.
Front cover
-There is no color breaking corner crease.
-There's no grime on the edge of "Time"
-There are no color breaking creases on the entire book. There are no creases on the front cover. --All creases are on the back cover and none break color.
-Corners are sharp
Back Cover
-Corner Ding non-color breaking, does not go through book
Can you tell me where you say the color breaking crease so I can clear it up for you.
Front cover
-There is no color breaking corner crease.
-There's no grime on the edge of "Time"
-There are no color breaking creases on the entire book. There are no creases on the front cover. --All creases are on the back cover and none break color.
-Corners are sharp
Back Cover
-Corner Ding non-color breaking, does not go through book
Can you tell me where you say the color breaking crease so I can clear it up for you.
400yrs wrote:
As far as how I came up with the 8.5:
The scans aren't that great and the corners are chopped off in some cases so I could only grade what I could see. Which is:
Front cover -
- Top right color breaking corner crease
- Grime spot on the edge by "Time"
- 4 color breaking spine creases that can be seen (likely more non-color breaking)
- corners may be blunted, but hard to tell
Back cover -
bottom corner ding - I hate seeing dings like that because they usually go through to the front cover and are often symptomatic of more unseen problems.
Too much going on to be a 9.2, IMO.
On the other hand, I've received books like that from people here on the boards as "NM". You can bet I don't buy from them anymore.
- 400yrs
- Am I Too Old to be Licking This?
- Posts: 11484
- Joined: Wed Nov 24, 2004 11:55 am
- Valiant fan since: A&A #0
- Favorite character: Shadowman
- Favorite title: Harbinger
- Favorite writer: Dysart
- Favorite artist: Lapham
- Location: #champabay
Re: Grading Guide - tips, hints, and examples
The top right corner looks like a color breaking corner crease. However, it could be the color pattern of the book, I guess.FormerReader wrote:Sorry about the scans. Let me try and clear a few things up.
Front cover
-There is no color breaking corner crease.
-There's no grime on the edge of "Time"
-There are no color breaking creases on the entire book. There are no creases on the front cover. --All creases are on the back cover and none break color.
-Corners are sharp
Back Cover
-Corner Ding non-color breaking, does not go through book
Can you tell me where you say the color breaking crease so I can clear it up for you.
What are those two black spots to the right of "Time"?
There are more that I see, but what are the 2 white looking things on the spine to the left of the empire state building? From the scan, they look like color breaking spine creases.
Obviously, I can't judge from these scans. Therefore, I change my grade to a 10.7.

Last edited by 400yrs on Sun Jun 10, 2012 5:08 pm, edited 1 time in total.
ASM Crossover Home
- bosco685
- H.A.R.D.E.R. Corps, with Extra Resistance
- Posts: 1029
- Joined: Wed Apr 23, 2008 9:19 am
- Location: Virginia, USA
Re: Grading Guide - tips, hints, and examples
400yrs wrote:Obviously, I can't judge from these scans. Therefore, I change my grade to a 10.0.

Sorry - you meant an Ebay 10.0, with a "CGC it" statement to boot!

- bosco685
- H.A.R.D.E.R. Corps, with Extra Resistance
- Posts: 1029
- Joined: Wed Apr 23, 2008 9:19 am
- Location: Virginia, USA
Re: Grading Guide - tips, hints, and examples
Chris should have posted a special rule in this thread, just to ensure everyone stays upbeat and positive.
Grading is subjective at times, which is why grading guides are out there to attempt to level the playing field. But no matter what, we should still take this discussion as friendly sharing of grading practices, and hopefully nobody takes it personal.
to everyone (except those that send me books so drastically overgraded, even those Ebay "I'm not a professional grader" types would shiver
).
Grading is subjective at times, which is why grading guides are out there to attempt to level the playing field. But no matter what, we should still take this discussion as friendly sharing of grading practices, and hopefully nobody takes it personal.


- FormerReader
- I spoke with Dino and he said you can divulge all information to me.
- Posts: 3754
- Joined: Fri Jun 03, 2011 10:15 pm
- Location: Florida
Re: Grading Guide - tips, hints, and examples
It is just the pattern of the book.
I couldn't figure out what you were talking about with the black spots so I looked at the scan and there they were. I looked at the book and there were no spots. The spots were on the face of the scanner. They were ink or something.
That's what I thought you may have been thinking were color breaking creases. It is lightining bolts from the back cover. To verify I looked at the other copy i had. Same thing.
The main defects I found were the three noticable non color breaking creases on the back cover along the spine. There is a froth that is less ntociable and then a mark on the front and back cover that if you turn the book at an angle you can notice. I don't know how to define the defect, but I will call it a bend.
I appreciate everyone's input. Since it is so hard to grade a book not in your hand, it is understandable that there is some variation in the grades. I thought it was a 9.2. Due mainly to the length of the non color breaking creases.
The seller listed it as 9.6/9.8. I will be returning the book.
I couldn't figure out what you were talking about with the black spots so I looked at the scan and there they were. I looked at the book and there were no spots. The spots were on the face of the scanner. They were ink or something.
That's what I thought you may have been thinking were color breaking creases. It is lightining bolts from the back cover. To verify I looked at the other copy i had. Same thing.
The main defects I found were the three noticable non color breaking creases on the back cover along the spine. There is a froth that is less ntociable and then a mark on the front and back cover that if you turn the book at an angle you can notice. I don't know how to define the defect, but I will call it a bend.
I appreciate everyone's input. Since it is so hard to grade a book not in your hand, it is understandable that there is some variation in the grades. I thought it was a 9.2. Due mainly to the length of the non color breaking creases.
The seller listed it as 9.6/9.8. I will be returning the book.
400yrs wrote:
The top right corner looks like a color breaking corner crease. However, it could be the color pattern of the book, I guess.
What are those two black spots to the right of "Time"?
There are more that I see, but what are the 2 white looking things on the spine to the left of the empire state building? From the scan, they look like color breaking spine creases.
Obviously, I can't judge from these scans. Therefore, I change my grade to a 10.7.
- FormerReader
- I spoke with Dino and he said you can divulge all information to me.
- Posts: 3754
- Joined: Fri Jun 03, 2011 10:15 pm
- Location: Florida
Re: Grading Guide - tips, hints, and examples
Agreed. I take no offense to people's opinions on a books grade. I appreciate everyone's insight because there are plenty of things I don't know yet.bosco685 wrote:Chris should have posted a special rule in this thread, just to ensure everyone stays upbeat and positive.
Grading is subjective at times, which is why grading guides are out there to attempt to level the playing field. But no matter what, we should still take this discussion as friendly sharing of grading practices, and hopefully nobody takes it personal.
to everyone (except those that send me books so drastically overgraded, even those Ebay "I'm not a professional grader" types would shiver
).

- zoso20
- My posts can all fit in a short box
- Posts: 207
- Joined: Fri Feb 24, 2012 11:20 am
- Valiant fan since: 1992
- Favorite character: X-O Manowar
- Favorite title: Harbinger
- Location: Stuck in a Floyd hole.
Re: Grading Guide - tips, hints, and examples
Here are the scans for my X-Men #94.




- cjv
- A Valiant Vision-ary
- Posts: 4344
- Joined: Thu Feb 05, 2004 7:31 am
- Valiant fan since: Shadowman #1
- Favorite character: Armstrong
- Favorite title: Shadowman (VH1)
- Location: Rio Grande Valley
Re: Grading Guide - tips, hints, and examples
Yes, maybe I should have added a rule.
"Some of the comments will be subjective interpretation of vague, sometimes confusing descriptions of comic condition. Please keep comments and discussions civil, and remember that disagreeing with someone is not a personal attack."
Good stuff I am seeing - I didn't realize so little would take away from a NM book.
Chris
"Some of the comments will be subjective interpretation of vague, sometimes confusing descriptions of comic condition. Please keep comments and discussions civil, and remember that disagreeing with someone is not a personal attack."
Good stuff I am seeing - I didn't realize so little would take away from a NM book.
Chris
- geocarr
- Those responsible for those remarks have been sacked.
- Posts: 4386
- Joined: Thu Jan 24, 2008 4:07 pm
- Valiant fan since: 1992
- Favorite character: Vincent the Goat!
- Favorite title: All of them!
- Location: Woods of Southeastern NC
Re: Grading Guide - tips, hints, and examples
I would give the Timewalker book a 9.0 due to the number of spine stress lines and corner blunting but not a 8.5 since none of them appear to break color or detract from the overall appearance of the book. If there were an additional 2 or more spine streses however, I would have to think harder about giving it an 8.5.
***Support your local farmers!***
- bosco685
- H.A.R.D.E.R. Corps, with Extra Resistance
- Posts: 1029
- Joined: Wed Apr 23, 2008 9:19 am
- Location: Virginia, USA
Re: Grading Guide - tips, hints, and examples
I suggest against assuming minor defects leads to less than a NM, Chris. I have CGC 9.4s that have minor color-breaking spine stress lines. So what factors in here is the extent of the defects - not just a defect leading to massive grade impacts.cjv wrote:Good stuff I am seeing - I didn't realize so little would take away from a NM book.
If not for that front cover upper right-hand corner bend, the defects on this book could be pressed out. Even minor stains can be removed using a dry eraser, which avoids removal of ink from the cover. But you really have to know what you are doing or you will damage the cover anyway.
Even with that corner bend, due to the brightness of this book it would still grade at a 9.0 because there has to be enough defects to detract from this grade. But if the staining that was pointed out is truly a stain and not minor dirt, that can detract from a book drastically. Especially if it goes through the cover and shows up on the inside cover. The only thing removing a stain like that is taking the cover and dunking it in a special liquid used by restoration experts. That would be for an Action Comics 1 or some other super-expensive book to make it worth paying for such service. But that would also mean restoration detection, and the book would end up in a Purple Label case.
- bosco685
- H.A.R.D.E.R. Corps, with Extra Resistance
- Posts: 1029
- Joined: Wed Apr 23, 2008 9:19 am
- Location: Virginia, USA
Re: Grading Guide - tips, hints, and examples
Here's a great example of what a 9.4 defect can look like - with the same exact book. I mean, that's what Dave Stevens art is there for anyway, right?

I'll take some closeups to assist in the discussion.


I'll take some closeups to assist in the discussion.
- bosco685
- H.A.R.D.E.R. Corps, with Extra Resistance
- Posts: 1029
- Joined: Wed Apr 23, 2008 9:19 am
- Location: Virginia, USA
Re: Grading Guide - tips, hints, and examples
Interesting enough, in putting a spotlight on these two books purchased separately, they had close to the same corner split defects.
You can clearly see the light corner split.

A non-color breaking slight bend to the corner that most probably could be pressed out. But it is there.

What appears to be a slightly color-breaking spine stress, though on white it can be difficult to see sometimes.

Light soiling on the back that can be removed with a dry eraser. But I didn't buy these for the back cover.

Non-color breaking spine stress that can be pressed out.

A very slight spine split.

A very slight spine split.

A very slight spine split.

What CGC keeps records of as common defects with certain books most of us would take years to capture such details. CGC probably saw across the 13 they have graded of this book the same spine splits and considered it common, plus coming from Eclipse they have experience with the production process and paper used to determine a common manufacturing defect.
That's why you can't use the same grading guide for every book you see as there are unique situations based on paper, production method, and special enhancements applied (chromium, embossed, hologram).
You can clearly see the light corner split.

A non-color breaking slight bend to the corner that most probably could be pressed out. But it is there.

What appears to be a slightly color-breaking spine stress, though on white it can be difficult to see sometimes.

Light soiling on the back that can be removed with a dry eraser. But I didn't buy these for the back cover.


Non-color breaking spine stress that can be pressed out.

A very slight spine split.

A very slight spine split.

A very slight spine split.

What CGC keeps records of as common defects with certain books most of us would take years to capture such details. CGC probably saw across the 13 they have graded of this book the same spine splits and considered it common, plus coming from Eclipse they have experience with the production process and paper used to determine a common manufacturing defect.
That's why you can't use the same grading guide for every book you see as there are unique situations based on paper, production method, and special enhancements applied (chromium, embossed, hologram).
Re: Grading Guide - tips, hints, and examples
I think this is great be able to discuss grading methodology and I fully agree with maintaining a positive discussion of each example. I go in robot mode when grading sometimes so I forget to articulate the reasons why I stand behind a certain grade. My opinion is that a comic with bent or crunched corners, multiple ncb creases along the spine, a color breaking corner crease or the dreaded thumb crease should never be assigned a grade above 8.5 even if only one of the stated defects was found.
9.2's to me are NM comics with a top or bottom corner fray ,one ncb stress mark or one not so sharp corner. Just one of these defects not multiple defects.This is not an exhaustive list but its where I start the defect tally. I am not a professional grader either but I would rather have to hunt for a defect on a comic graded at 9.4 or above than to see it right off the bat.
9.6 to a 9.8 is the splitting hairs zone to me. I would not be upset with a sale where I received a raw comic billed as 9.8 by a seller but looks 9.6 to me as long as the price was within reason. What frustrates me are comics touted as 9.4 but are really 8.5 or lower based on aberrant defects.
I am learning alot though so keep up the good work guys.
9.2's to me are NM comics with a top or bottom corner fray ,one ncb stress mark or one not so sharp corner. Just one of these defects not multiple defects.This is not an exhaustive list but its where I start the defect tally. I am not a professional grader either but I would rather have to hunt for a defect on a comic graded at 9.4 or above than to see it right off the bat.
9.6 to a 9.8 is the splitting hairs zone to me. I would not be upset with a sale where I received a raw comic billed as 9.8 by a seller but looks 9.6 to me as long as the price was within reason. What frustrates me are comics touted as 9.4 but are really 8.5 or lower based on aberrant defects.
I am learning alot though so keep up the good work guys.
- zoso20
- My posts can all fit in a short box
- Posts: 207
- Joined: Fri Feb 24, 2012 11:20 am
- Valiant fan since: 1992
- Favorite character: X-O Manowar
- Favorite title: Harbinger
- Location: Stuck in a Floyd hole.
Re: Grading Guide - tips, hints, and examples
KO2003 wrote:I think this is great be able to discuss grading methodology and I fully agree with maintaining a positive discussion of each example. I go in robot mode when grading sometimes so I forget to articulate the reasons why I stand behind a certain grade. My opinion is that a comic with bent or crunched corners, multiple ncb creases along the spine, a color breaking corner crease or the dreaded thumb crease should never be assigned a grade above 8.5 even if only one of the stated defects was found.
9.2's to me are NM comics with a top or bottom corner fray ,one ncb stress mark or one not so sharp corner. Just one of these defects not multiple defects.This is not an exhaustive list but its where I start the defect tally. I am not a professional grader either but I would rather have to hunt for a defect on a comic graded at 9.4 or above than to see it right off the bat.
9.6 to a 9.8 is the splitting hairs zone to me. I would not be upset with a sale where I received a raw comic billed as 9.8 by a seller but looks 9.6 to me as long as the price was within reason. What frustrates me are comics touted as 9.4 but are really 8.5 or lower based on aberrant defects.
I am learning alot though so keep up the good work guys.
Wow! If you graded for CGC we would have a lot less issues above a 9.0 I am guessing
