Is CGC Grading Worth It? Questions Collectors Ask

Published October 5, 2026 | Back to the Blog

CGC, the Certified Guaranty Company, grades comics, seals them in a hard plastic case, and records them in a public registry. It can make a book easier to sell and safer to ship. It can also cost more than a book is worth. These are the questions customers ask us most.

What does CGC grading actually give me?

You get a numbered grade from an outside party, a tamper-evident holder, a certification number you can look up online, and a note on restoration if any is found. Buyers who cannot inspect a book in person rely on that grade. For online sales it removes most of the haggling over condition.

Which comics are worth submitting?

Submit books where the difference between a raw copy and a graded copy is larger than the fees. In practice that means key issues, high-grade copies of popular modern books, and anything you expect to sell to a distant buyer. We recently got back over 100 copies of TMNT: Last Ronin #1 to #5 from CGC, all at 9.6 or higher, with one 9.9. At that grade the slab makes a big difference. A beat-up copy of a common issue will not earn back the cost.

How do I know what grade my book might get?

Look at the corners, spine, staples, and surface under a bright light. Our grading guide explains the scale and the defects that lower a score. A tiny spine tick can separate a 9.8 from a 9.6, and that gap can be a large price difference on a popular title.

Does a slab hide problems?

It can. Graders note major restoration, but the case limits what a buyer sees of the interior. Look at the label, check the certification number on the CGC website, and ask for photos of the full cover through the case. Our owner Jamie Newbold covers common grading scams in his book The Forensic Comicologist, which is a good read before you spend serious money.

Is it worth it for a collection I plan to keep?

Often yes for a few top books, rarely for the whole run. A slab protects against handling damage, but it also makes a comic awkward to read. Many collectors slab the best copy of each key and keep reading copies in bags and boards. For storage tips on the rest, see our post on how to store comic books.

Should I grade before I sell to a shop?

Usually not. A dealer who buys collections can judge raw books on sight, and grading first adds months and fees. If you are thinking of selling, read our post on how to sell a comic collection before you submit anything.