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Stack of Books

Comic and Book Grading

Pile of Comic Books

Updated 4/11/16

Here at Toys 'N Toons we use a grading system similar to eBay's. Its very simple to understand. Its based on 5 different grading levels. They are:

 

  • Brand New:  A new, unread, unused book in perfect condition with no missing or damaged pages. Straight from publisher!

 

  • Like New:  A book that looks new but has been read. Cover has no visible wear. Dust jacket is included for hard covers. No missing/damaged pages, no creases/tears, and no underlining/highlighting of text or writing in the margins. May be very minimal identifying marks on the inside cover. Very minimal wear and tear. 

 

  • Very Good:  A book that almost looks brand new but has been read. It still is in excellent condition. No obvious damage to the cover, with the dust jacket included for hard covers. No missing or damaged pages, no creases or tears, and no underlining/highlighting of text or writing in the margins. May be very minimal identifying marks on the inside cover. Very minimal wear and tear. ~~ Most common condition for our books. ~~

 

  • Good:  A book that has been read but is in decent condition. May have some damage to the cover. The dust jacket for hard covers may not be included. Binding has light wear. Majority of pages are undamaged with minimal creasing or tearing, minimal pencil underlining of text, some highlighting of text, some writing in margins. No missing pages. 

 

  • Acceptable:  A book with very obvious wear. Has visible damage to the cover but integrity still intact. The binding may be slightly damaged but integrity is still intact. Writing in margins, possible underlining and highlighting of text, can be possible. No missing pages or anything that would compromise the legibility or understanding of the text.

 

 

VERY FINE (VF+8.5, VF 8.0, VF-7.5)

                                   

  • Good eye appeal

  • Vibrant, Clean, Bright colors

  • Little or no spine stress

  • Flat Spine

  • Cover Glossy

  • Off white to white interior

 

FINE (F+6.5, FN 6.0, FN-5.5)

 

  • Read with care

  • Crease or fold on cover

  • Missing minor cover pieces

  • Few spine stress marks

  • Minor surface wear but has gloss

  • Excellent copy overall

 

VERY GOOD (VG+4.5, VG 4.0, VG-3.5)

 

  • Tears on cover

  • Staple creases

  • Yellowish paper

  • Rolled spine

  • No loss of eye appeal-well read

  • Minor soiling/staining/discoloring/fading

  • Stamps, names or date markings on cover

  • Centerfold loose

  • Staple(s) loose

  • Cover attached

  • Inside brown pages-no brittleness

  • Tape?

 

GOOD (GD+2.5, GD2.0,GD1.8)

 

  • Complete book

  • Cover intact

  • Major creases

  • Rolled spine

  • No gloss

  • Yellow paper

  • Missing pieces

  • Cover pieces ½" to 1/4"

  • Creased, scuffed, soiled, abraded but readable

 

 

FINE (FR 1.0)

 

  • Complete issue

  • Most of cover

  • Missing centerfold

  • Unattractive

  • Spine/ cover splits

  • Staple(s) missing

  • Rounded corners

  • Missing ads/ coupons

  • Brittle edges-interior paper good

 

 

POOR (PR 0.5)

 

  • Taped pages

  • Large tears or chunks missing

  • Defacing with paints, varnishes, glues, oil, indelible markers or dyes

  • Rips, tears, folds and sever creases

  • Pages have medium to extremely severe brittleness

 

 

 

 

 

Comic Books & Graphic Novels
Hard & Soft Cover Books

Toys 'N Toons uses a combination of standards when grading comics. Combining the ComicPriceGuide.com site and Overstreets Price Guide, we have come up with our own. Similar but a bit more simple. They are:

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