How to Price Comic Books

Understand Comic Book Condition Grading

• 1

  Learn to spot a comic book that's in mint condition. Essentially, a mint condition book will have absolutely no physical flaws, nor will it have any printing defects. Collectors will look page-by-page for flaws and defects, and something as simple as a page with a black speck of stray ink might give them cause to declare it not to be in mint condition.

• 2

  Consider a comic book with one or two very minor, almost undetectable flaws to be in near-mint condition. A book with more than two very minor flaws is considered to be in excellent condition, while a comic issue that has one significant flaw (and, for some collectors, one or two minor flaws) is considered to be in very good condition.

• 3

  Grade a comic book with two significant flaws plus a number of smaller flaws to be in good condition. Books with a greater number of significant and minor flaws are considered to be in fair or poor condition, though poor condition is usually reserved for comic books that have severe physical and cosmetic damage.

Price Your Comic Books

• 4

  Keep in mind that valuations of comic books will vary from collector to collector.

• 5

  Consult your price guide. A mint condition comic book is worth 100 percent of the listed price, and a near-mint book will usually fetch upwards of 90 percent of that value.

• 6

  Expect to get approximately 75 to 90 percent of mint value for a comic book in excellent condition, depending on the extent of the damage. Again, some collectors might overlook certain flaws, while others will search for them with a magnifying glass.

• 7

  Price comic books in very good condition at about 60 to 75 percent of mint value. Books in good condition frequently fetch at least 50 percent, but usually no more than 60 percent of mint value.

• 8

  Expect to get as little as 30 percent of mint value for a comic book in fair condition, and don't make the mistake of valuing books in poor condition very highly. Most collectors won't give you more than 10 percent of their listed worth.