At Legacy Comic Book Grading, we use the recognised 10-point comic book grading scale, ranging from 0.5 Poor to 10.0 Gem Mint, to assess the condition of comic books.
Every comic is individually examined by our grading team. The final grade reflects the comic’s overall condition, taking into account areas such as the cover, spine, corners, edges, staples, interior pages and overall structural condition.
Comic grading differs from trading card grading. Rather than assessing four fixed subgrades, the comic is evaluated as a complete collectible, with the type, severity, quantity and location of defects all contributing to the final grade.
The definitions below provide a general guide to what you can expect from each Legacy comic book grade.
10.0 — GEM MINT — GM
An exceptional comic book displaying virtually perfect condition.
A Gem Mint 10.0 represents the highest standard within the Legacy comic grading scale. The comic should display exceptional manufacturing quality, outstanding preservation and virtually no detectable handling or wear.
The cover, spine, corners and edges should be exceptionally sharp and clean. Staples should be secure and the interior pages should be exceptionally well preserved.
Only the most exceptional examples will qualify for a 10.0 Gem Mint grade.
9.9 — MINT — MT
An outstanding comic book in virtually flawless condition.
A Mint 9.9 may display an extremely minor manufacturing or handling characteristic that prevents the comic from achieving Gem Mint status.
The comic should retain exceptional colour, gloss, structure, corners, edges and spine condition, with virtually no visible wear.
9.8 — NEAR MINT/MINT — NM/MT
A nearly perfect comic book with outstanding overall presentation.
A Near Mint/Mint 9.8 may contain only very minor defects that are difficult to notice without close examination.
Examples may include a very small spine stress, extremely minor corner or edge wear, or another insignificant manufacturing or handling imperfection.
The comic should retain excellent colour, gloss and structural integrity.
9.6 — NEAR MINT+ — NM+
An exceptionally well-preserved comic book with only minor imperfections.
A Near Mint+ 9.6 may display a small number of minor defects while maintaining outstanding overall eye appeal.
Minor spine stress, slight corner wear, subtle edge wear or small manufacturing characteristics may be present.
9.4 — NEAR MINT — NM
A very high-quality comic book displaying only minor signs of handling or wear.
A Near Mint 9.4 remains extremely attractive but may contain several minor imperfections visible upon closer examination.
These may include small spine stresses, minor corner or edge wear, slight surface marks or other light handling defects.
9.2 — NEAR MINT− — NM−
A high-quality comic book with minor but noticeable imperfections.
A Near Mint− 9.2 retains excellent overall presentation but may show several small defects.
Light spine stress, minor edge or corner wear, small surface imperfections or slight handling wear may be present.
9.0 — VERY FINE/NEAR MINT — VF/NM
An attractive, well-preserved comic book with a small number of noticeable defects.
A Very Fine/Near Mint 9.0 maintains strong eye appeal while displaying light signs of handling.
Minor spine stresses, corner wear, edge wear, surface marks or small creases may be present.
8.5 — VERY FINE+ — VF+
A high-quality comic book showing light but noticeable wear.
A Very Fine+ 8.5 may display several minor defects while remaining visually impressive.
This may include light spine wear, small stress lines, minor corner or edge wear, slight surface wear or small handling creases.
8.0 — VERY FINE — VF
A well-preserved comic book displaying moderate signs of handling.
A Very Fine 8.0 retains strong overall presentation but may contain several noticeable defects.
These may include spine stresses, minor creasing, edge or corner wear, light surface wear or other moderate handling characteristics.
7.5 — VERY FINE− — VF−
An attractive comic book with noticeable signs of previous handling and wear.
A Very Fine− 7.5 may contain several visible defects while retaining good colour, structure and overall presentation.
Moderate spine stress, corner wear, edge wear, small creases or surface imperfections may be present.
7.0 — FINE/VERY FINE — FN/VF
A solid, attractive comic book displaying moderate wear.
A Fine/Very Fine 7.0 will generally show noticeable evidence of handling while remaining structurally sound and visually appealing.
This may include multiple spine stresses, moderate corner and edge wear, small creases, surface wear or other visible defects.
6.5 — FINE+ — FN+
A presentable comic book with moderate signs of wear and handling.
A Fine+ 6.5 may display several noticeable defects, including spine wear, stress lines, corner or edge wear, creasing and surface wear.
The comic should remain complete and maintain good overall structural integrity.
6.0 — FINE — FN
A comic book showing clear signs of previous handling while remaining presentable and structurally sound.
A Fine 6.0 may display multiple moderate defects.
These may include noticeable spine wear, creases, corner wear, edge wear, surface marks, minor tears or general handling wear.
5.5 — FINE− — FN−
A complete and presentable comic book with noticeable overall wear.
A Fine− 5.5 may display numerous moderate defects accumulated through handling, storage or age.
This may include spine stress, creasing, edge wear, corner wear, surface wear or small tears.
5.0 — VERY GOOD/FINE — VG/FN
A comic book showing considerable evidence of previous handling while retaining reasonable overall presentation.
A Very Good/Fine 5.0 may contain multiple noticeable defects, including moderate spine wear, creases, rounded corners, edge wear, surface wear or small tears.
4.5 — VERY GOOD+ — VG+
A complete comic book displaying significant but acceptable wear.
A Very Good+ 4.5 may exhibit numerous defects while remaining structurally intact and collectable.
These may include significant spine wear, creasing, corner and edge wear, surface damage, small tears or other age-related defects.
4.0 — VERY GOOD — VG
A well-worn comic book with significant visible defects.
A Very Good 4.0 will show clear evidence of extensive handling and age but should remain substantially complete and structurally recognisable.
Defects may include heavy spine wear, multiple creases, rounded or worn corners, edge damage, surface wear, tears or staining.
3.5 — VERY GOOD− — VG−
A heavily handled comic book displaying substantial wear.
A Very Good− 3.5 may contain numerous significant defects, including heavy spine stress, creasing, edge and corner wear, tears, staining or substantial surface wear.
3.0 — GOOD/VERY GOOD — G/VG
A heavily worn comic book that remains collectable and substantially complete.
A Good/Very Good 3.0 may display considerable spine wear, heavy creasing, rounded corners, tears, staining, surface damage or other significant defects.
2.5 — GOOD+ — G+
A substantially worn comic book with major condition issues.
A Good+ 2.5 may contain extensive wear and numerous defects while remaining identifiable and substantially intact.
Heavy creasing, spine wear, tears, staining, edge damage, corner damage and surface wear may be present.
2.0 — GOOD — G
A heavily worn comic book displaying major defects.
A Good 2.0 may show extensive handling, deterioration or damage while remaining identifiable and substantially complete.
This may include major creasing, heavy spine and cover wear, tears, staining, significant edge damage or other serious defects.
1.8 — GOOD− — G−
A severely worn comic book with extensive condition issues.
A Good− 1.8 may display heavy damage throughout the comic, including significant tears, heavy creasing, staining, substantial spine wear and extensive cover deterioration.
1.5 — FAIR/GOOD — FR/GD
A heavily damaged comic book with substantial wear and deterioration.
A Fair/Good 1.5 remains identifiable but may contain major defects affecting its overall presentation and structure.
This may include large tears, extensive creasing, heavy staining, severe spine wear or other significant damage.
1.0 — FAIR — FR
A severely worn or damaged comic book.
A Fair 1.0 displays extensive defects and may have significant structural or cosmetic deterioration.
The comic remains identifiable, but heavy tears, severe creasing, staining, extensive cover or spine damage and other major defects may be present.
0.5 — POOR — PR
A comic book in extremely poor condition with severe damage or deterioration.
A Poor 0.5 represents the lowest numerical grade within the Legacy comic book grading scale.
The comic remains identifiable but may display extensive tears, severe staining, major cover or spine damage, heavy creasing, missing or damaged portions, significant deterioration or other extreme defects.
How We Determine a Comic Book Grade
Every comic book submitted to Legacy Comic Book Grading is assessed individually. A final grade is not determined by one defect alone.
Our graders consider the type, severity, quantity and location of defects, together with the comic’s overall appearance, preservation and structural condition.
Areas considered during assessment include:
Cover • Spine • Corners • Edges • Staples • Interior Pages • Structural Condition
Unlike trading cards, comic books are not assessed using fixed Centring, Corners, Edges and Surface subgrades. Instead, all relevant characteristics of the comic are considered together to determine the final numerical grade.
Manufacturing characteristics may also be considered when appropriate, as these can differ significantly depending on the comic’s publisher, printing process and age.
Understanding Comic Book Grading
No two comic books are exactly alike. Age, printing and manufacturing characteristics, storage, handling, environmental exposure and previous use can all influence condition.
Older comics are not automatically graded more leniently because of their age. The grade represents the condition of the individual comic as presented to Legacy at the time of grading.
The presence of a particular defect does not automatically determine a specific grade. Its severity, location and overall effect on the comic are considered alongside all other condition characteristics.
Your Legacy certification report provides additional information about the comic and its assessment, including grading notes and detailed defect images, helping you understand the characteristics identified during grading.
A Grade Is More Than a Number
Our aim is to give collectors more than simply a numerical grade.
Every Legacy graded comic is supported by a detailed certification record, giving collectors access to information associated with their graded comic.
Legacy comic slabs also feature our custom artwork labels, created specifically around the comic being graded to give each slab its own distinctive presentation.
Compatible Legacy slabs feature Slab Tap Technology, allowing the comic’s certification information to be accessed directly from the slab with a simple tap of a compatible smartphone.
No app required. Simply tap, view and verify.
Your Comics. Your Collection. Your Legacy.