For the true comic book collector, the condition and grade given to comics are of utmost importance, both for personal and economic value. Therefore, it is assumed that the higher the grade, the greater the value. But not all collectors know how to grade such books, being able to commit mistakes and misunderstandings at the time of closing deals. This is where the CGC, or the Certified Guaranty Company, comes in.
Founded in 2000 and based in Sarasota, Florida, the CGC is an independent member of the Collectibles Group of companies, being the first independent and impartial third-party grading service for comics. With a remarkable trajectory and being respected by the entire community of comic collectors, the CGC is a reference in terms of collectibles grading.
The CGC uses a standardized 10-point rating scale to provide highly accurate ratings. In the case of comics, the scale is as follows:
10 (Gem Mint): The highest grade and most highly valued. The comic must have no evidence of handling or production defect
9.9 (Mint): Almost no difference with grade 10, but has a small production defect. It has no evidence of any handling defect.
9.8 (Near Mint/Mint): A mostly perfect comic, with negligible handling or production defects.
9.6 (Near Mint +): A very well-preserved comic with several minor production or handling defects
9.4 (Near Mint): A very well-preserved comic with very little wear and minor production or handling defects.
9.2 (Near Mint -): A very well-preserved comic with some wear and minor production or handling defects.
9.0 (Very Fine/Near Mint): A very well-preserved comic with a good visual impression. There are various minor production and/or handling defects.
8.5 (Very Fine +): An attractive comic with one moderate or a number of minor defects
8.0 (Very Fine): An attractive comic with one moderate or multiple small defects.
7.5 (Very Fine -): An above-average comic with one moderate or multiple small defects.
7.0 (Fine/Very Fine): An above-average comic with one major or multiple minor defects
6.5 (Fine +): An above-average comic with one major and a few minor defects, or with a significant number of minor defects.
6.0 (Fine): An almost above-average comic with one major and a few minor defects, or with a significant number of minor defects.
5.5 (Fine -): An almost above-average comic with several moderate defects.
5.0 (Very Good/Fine): An average comic with several moderate defects.
4.5 (Very Good +): An almost below-average comic with multiple moderate flaws.
4.0 (Very Good): A below-average comic with multiple moderate defects.
3.5 (Very Good -): A below-average comic with several major or multiple moderate defects.
3.0 (Good/Very Good): A comic that shows significant evidence of manipulation with several moderate to major defects.
2.5 (Good +): A comic that shows highly significant evidence of manipulation with multiple moderate to major defects.
2.0 (Good): A comic that shows highly significant evidence of manipulation with numerous moderate to major flaws.
1.8 (Good -): A comic that shows highly significant evidence of manipulation with numerous major defects.
1.5 (Fair/Good): A comic that shows highly significant evidence of manipulation with numerous heavy major defects.
1.0 (Fair): A poorly handled comic with numerous heavy major defects.
0.5 (Poor): A defaced comic with numerous major defects. Some parts of the comic are missing.