Grading Information

It is an unfortunate truth that the established back issue grading system is misleading to new comers. Both ‘Good’ & ‘Fair’ are low grades. For this reason we have provided the chart below. If you are unsure what to expect from grades like VFN+ and G-, just refer to the chart. All you need to remember is that 100% is brand spanking new while 5% is at best really tatty and will have many faults . Everything else comes in steps between. If you use this chart is to think of it as top middle and bottom. This enables even a layman to visualise the condition of the comic.

Top End – High grade collectable items

Mint (GEM) = 100%  Very few books make this elusive grade.

Near Mint (NM) = 98%

Very Fine Plus (VFN+) = 90%

Very Fine (VFN) = 80%

Very Fine Minus (VFN-) = 75%

Fine Plus (FN+) = 70%

Middle – Minor damage & wear apparent but still sound comics

Fine (FN) = 65%

Fine Minus (FN-) = 55%

Very Good Plus (VG+) = 50%

Very Good (VG) = 40%

Very Good Minus (VG-) = 30%

Bottom – Beaten damaged worn and abused comics

Good Plus (G+) = 25%

Good (G) = 20%

Good Minus (G-) = 15%

Fair (Fair) = 10%

Poor (Poor) = 5%