Comic Book Grading Scale: What CGC 9.8, 9.6, and 9.4 Mean
Compare CGC 9.8, 9.6, and 9.4 grades before you buy, sell, or submit a comic book.
Use the comic book grading scale to compare condition before you buy, sell, or submit a book for grading.
How the CGC comic book grading scale works
CGC uses an industry-standard 10-point scale. The number describes the book's condition after a professional review. A higher grade means fewer visible defects. The grade is an opinion of condition, not a promise of market value.
CGC grades collectors see most often
| Grade | CGC term | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 9.8 | NM/M | Nearly perfect, with negligible handling or manufacturing defects. |
| 9.6 | NM+ | Very well preserved, with several minor defects. |
| 9.4 | NM | Very well preserved, with minor wear and small defects. |
| 9.2 | NM- | Very well preserved, with some wear and small defects. |
| 9.0 | VF/NM | Very well preserved, with good eye appeal and several minor defects. |
| 8.5–7.5 | VF range | Above-average to attractive books with moderate or accumulated small defects. |
These descriptions follow CGC's published comic book grading scale. The full scale runs from 0.5 Poor to 10 Gem Mint. Our comic grade abbreviations guide lists every grade, from PR to Gem Mint, with its letters and number.
What changes between a 9.8, 9.6, and 9.4?
The difference is usually small, but it can affect buyer confidence and price. Check the front and back covers, spine, corners, page quality, and any color breaks or other defects. A 9.6 is not a failed 9.8. It is a separate condition assessment. A 9.4 can still be an excellent book for a collection.
Raw comic or graded comic?
A raw book has no third-party grade. You estimate its condition from photos or an in-hand review. A graded book has been reviewed, authenticated, and encapsulated by a grading company. The holder and label make the grade easier to verify, but the grade does not set a guaranteed resale price.
Before you buy, compare the grade with the issue, variant, signature details, page quality, restoration status, and the seller's photos. The edition matters too: some older issues exist as both newsstand and direct editions, which our newsstand vs direct edition guide explains. For examples, browse our graded comics and review the listing details for each book.
New to slabs? Our guide to graded comic books shows how to read a CGC label line by line.
Should you submit a comic for grading?
Start with condition, demand, and your collecting goal. If the book has a strong chance of meeting your minimum grade, the submission cost may make sense. Read our CGC submission guide before you pack a book. CGC grades a submitted book after its own review, so a home estimate is only a starting point.
Sources
Graded comics in stock
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