3rd Party Grading

CGC, PSA, and the number on the label.

Curious what a “slab” is and why it matters? Here's how third-party grading works, what CGC and PSA each bring to the table, and what the number on that label really tells you.

3rd Party Grading

What is 3rd Party Grading?

(3rd) Third-party comic grading involves having a professional grading company evaluate and assign a grade to your comic book based on its condition. This grade helps determine its value and authenticity, making it easier to sell or insure.

Grading Companies: The most well-known companies include Certified Guaranty Company (CGC) and Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA).

Grading Scale: Comics are graded on a scale from 0.5 (poor) to 10 (gem mint). Higher grades indicate better condition and fewer defects.

Slabbing: After grading, the comic is often placed in a protective plastic case (slab) with the grade displayed on the front.

Benefits: Grading provides an unbiased assessment of a comic's condition, which can be crucial for buyers and sellers.

Logo with blue letters 'P' and 'A' and a stylized red 'S' in the center.
From Superman to Spidey, Thor to Thanos and Bruce Wayne to Bruce Banner, comic books have played a pivotal role in pop culture for a century. It only feels right for PSA to expand its offering to include some of the most important collectibles in the hobby.
CGC logo
CGC uses a proven, multi-step grading process that is designed to ensure consistency, accuracy and integrity while safeguarding your valuable collectibles. Here, you can explore the key stages of the CGC grading process for comics.
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