What comics should I have graded? Are there any real benefits to grading my comics? What is the grading process?
Many newcomers to the comic book world have a lot of questions about the grading process. That’s why we’ve provided a helpful guide that shares plenty of information about grading and its benefits.
What to know about grading my comic book?
While there are a few other options, most people send their books to Certified Guaranty Company (CGC) for grading. The process for submitting your comic to CGC may seem complicated at first, but it’s actually quite simple and inexpensive.
You’ll first want to go to the CGC website and click on the How to Submit page. There, you’ll find instructions on becoming a CGC member and filling out a submission form. Once you’ve completed all the preliminary steps, you can ship your collectibles to the company. Be sure to package your items properly to avoid damage during shipment.
After receiving your comic, CGC will assign it a unique submission number. A group of experts will then authenticate and verify your collectibles. Once these experts reach a consensus, they’ll assign a grade to your comic. Your comic will then be encapsulated in a strong plastic container for display purposes. After all is said and done, CGC will ship your newly-graded comic to you.
Benefits of getting a comic book graded
Still wondering, “Should I get my comic book graded?” There are actually plenty of benefits that go along with comic grading. For one, you’ll know exactly how valuable your comic is. This helps when trying to sell comics, as graded comic books always fetch a much higher price. The same is true for items like trading cards and other collectibles.
An added benefit of comic book grading is that it will keep your comics safe. The slab provided during the grading process is fairly durable. That said, be sure to keep any comics you’ve had graded in a safe place. You don’t want to risk them getting damaged after spending money grading them.
Which comic books should I have graded?
Choosing a comic book to grade should take major consideration. Do some research on the more valuable comics in your collection, and see which might fetch the highest price tag. It’s usually good practice to consider older comics that star characters soon appearing in their own movies. There are also comics that will always be considered valuable, including 1974’s Incredible Hulk #181, which featured the first appearance of Wolverine.
How much does it cost?
Before submitting comics, you’ll have to become a CGC member, which costs $25 a year for the cheapest option. The standard fee for grading one comic book is $75. There are also shipping fees to think about. All in all, you’ll probably pay a little over $100 to get your comic book graded.
If you’re on the hunt for a specific comic book, visit The Book Broker. We have a variety of amazing books and other collectibles on our shelves.