Is My Comic Worth Grading?
Grading costs money and takes time, so it only makes sense when a slab adds more value than it costs. Here's how to decide — and how to get a free second opinion before you send anything in.
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- Free appraisalOnline, no obligation
- Prepaid overnight labelWe pay shipping — no driving
- Fully insuredHigh-value coverage in transit
- We competeBring any dealer or auction offer
what grading actually costs
CGC and PSA price grading in tiers based on the book's value and how fast you want it back. On top of the grading fee there's shipping both ways, insurance and, for many sellers, a membership or submission fee. Fee schedules change, so check the grader's current price list — but budget for the total, not just the headline fee.
the rule of thumb
Grade a book when the likely graded value minus all costs is clearly more than what it sells for raw. That gap is biggest for:
- Key issues — first appearances, #1s and major events
- High-grade copies: near mint books gain the most from a slab
- Golden and Silver Age books, where buyers want restoration checked
- Books you plan to sell to collectors who only buy graded
It's usually not worth it for common issues, low-grade modern books, or anything whose top graded sale barely beats the fee.
pressing and cleaning
Professional pressing can remove non-color-breaking bends and lift a grade before submission. It adds cost and time, and it can't fix tears, color breaks or missing pieces. Ask for an opinion before paying for it.
Free second opinion
Send photos of the books you're thinking of grading. We'll tell you which are worth it, what grade range to expect, and what they're worth raw today — or make an offer on them as they are. Get a free appraisal.
is my comic worth grading: questions
How much does it cost to get a comic graded?
It depends on the grader, the book's value tier and the turnaround you choose, plus shipping and insurance. Check CGC's or PSA's current fee schedule for exact prices.
Does grading increase a comic's value?
For keys and high-grade books, often — buyers pay for certainty about grade and restoration. For common books, the fee can be more than the value it adds.
Can I sell my comics without grading them?
Yes. We buy raw books and value them from photos.
how selling to us works
- 1Tell us what you have
Use the form below — a rough list, photos or a shared album link is plenty to start.
- 2Free appraisal
We value each key item from recent public sales at its grade and send you the breakdown.
- 3Firm offer
Have an offer from a dealer or auction house? Send it — we'll compete. No pressure.
- 4Ship it — on us
We email a prepaid overnight shipping label. High-value insurance covers every item in transit — no driving, no meeting up. Paid promptly once verified.
We buy everywhere in the U.S. — see every state and city, or read how our free appraisals work.