Images of CGC-graded Comic Books Now Available Using the CGC Certification Verification Tool (2024)

FAQs

How to tell if CGC is real? ›

Verify CGC-certified Collectibles

Enter a collectible's CGC certification number to confirm its description and grade in the CGC database. You can also scan a collectible's QR code on your phone. This tool can help you to verify that your CGC holder is genuine and has not been tampered with.

You would need to get a 9.8 from CGC on most newer books to make them worth your time and money. There are exceptions to this rule (see our next tip). If the book is from the 1960s, then there's a much higher chance that it'll be worth grading, depending on the grade and significance of the issue.

CGC and CBCS also have very similar grading standards when it comes to identifying flaws. The best way to explain this is that a comic that is graded by CGC will likely be the same grade if sent to CBCS. The slight differences are when you have lower-grade comics.

The fifth digit is often the printing number.

So, to identify the first edition of a comic, you would look at this small barcode and, specifically, the last number. This number will be the printing, and anything other than a 1 will tell you that it's not the first edition.

From my experience, CGC is harsh on center relative to PSA, while PSA is harsh on surface relative to CGC. The experience of others may vary. As others have mentioned, BGS & CGC are stricter than PSA for centering. An interesting note is that while CGC is strict, their lowest centering grade is an 8.

PGX is the best if you need cheaper pricing and faster turnarounds. Unfortunately, their reputation still took a hit in the community, so a PGX-graded book will likely fetch less on sale than the same book.

The best grade a comic book can achieve with this page quality is 7.5. The same as tan to off-white, but the center of the pages are darker. Dark colored pages that exhibit a uniform tint from edges to middle.

From Aquaman to Zombies, CGC is the definitive leader in comic book grading, as well as other printed media like magazines, concert posters and lobby cards. The CGC Comics division is recognized for grading the most valuable comic books in the world.

A general rule of thumb that many collectors follow is that a books expected value needs to be worth about $200 before it makes sense to have the book graded from a financial perspective. Also note that the grading process often takes some time. CGC states that grading can take 106 to 133 days.

How hard is it to get a CGC 10 comic? ›

Getting a CGC 10.0 graded comic book is stunningly tough. As the CGC grading scale states, a Gem Mint CGC 10.0 is "The highest grade assigned. The collectible must have no evidence of any manufacturing or handling defects." As of this posting, there are 6,977,732 comic book entries on the CGC census.

Collectors and dealers trust the accuracy and integrity of CGC, which results in higher prices realized for CGC-certified collectibles.

The app is now available for both Android and iOS smartphones. Features include: Barcode search function for professionally graded comics books from CGC and coins from NGC. Access to values of previously sold lots spanning 40 different categories of fine art and collectibles.

With the launch of CGC Signature Series for CGC Cards, collectors of trading card games (TCGs), sports cards and non-sports cards can now have 100% certainty of the authenticity of their autographs because they are witnessed by an authorized CGC representative. Click images to enlarge.

Can a CGC Case be Opened? Yes, but not without damaging the case and therefor rendering the grade and any certified signatures or markings on the book (if applicable) invalid. Unless done by or in the presence of and authorized CGC representative.

You would think the tougher to grade, many years removed, and less mint vintage cards with a “higher” grade would sell for more in a CGC 10 pristine label, but that just isn't the case. The Vintage cards with the more “seasoned” collector values the PSA label over the CGC “Higher Graded” version.

Once you finish your submission, you'll see “Print Packing Slip & Shipping Label” on the order success page.