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Definitions and How to Grade Comic Books for the Price Guide

How we grade comics at NostalgiaZone.com comic store:
First, check to make sure the comic is complete, containing all pages and any possible premiums such as stickers, 3-D glasses, posters, etc. Then, page through the comic book, counting each page, looking for interior problems like coupons cut, puzzles written on, etc. Many graders overlook these critical first steps.

Our Nostalgia Zine has an article on comic grading techniques you may wish to check it out.

Even grading comics listed as POOR condition have complete, readable stories.

MINT (M) Absolutely perfect in every way. As soon as it is touched it drops to Near Mint. Mint is as an imaginary ideal that cannot be attained in the real world.

NEAR MINT (NM) Almost perfect. Upon close inspection, one or two tiny imperfections may be found. This is the highest grade assigned to any item in this catalog.

VERY FINE-NEAR MINT (VFNM) An excellent copy with only minor imperfections such as a few tiny stress lines on the spine or a minor printing/binding defect.

VERY FINE (VF) Excellent copy with very slight wear beginning to show. Still sharp, glossy, and clean.

FINE-VERY FINE (FVF) A glossy, clean copy with a number of small imperfections or slight wear such as tiny stress lines or slightly rounded corners.

FINE (F) An above-average copy that shows less than average wear. Typical defects could include a small corner crease or some loss of cover gloss.

VERY GOOD-FINE (VGF) A slightly better than average copy with some imperfections that keep it out of the higher grades. Obviously handled but fairly well cared for; still basically a decent copy.

VERY GOOD (VG) A copy in average condition. Some wear is obvious but not damaged or soiled.

GOOD-VERY GOOD (GVG) A well-read copy with some significant defects such as tears, long creases, or writing, or perhaps several smaller but noticeable defects.

GOOD (G): A worn copy with an accumulation of defects such as tears, creases, writing, pieces out of the cover, etc.

FAIR-GOOD (FR-G), FAIR (FR), POOR-FAIR (P-FR), POOR (P):These grades all indicate a very worn copy with many significant defects, such as tape, pieces missing, stains, or water damage, increasing in number and/or severity down the list. However,even comics graded POOR have complete stories, though parts of the cover or panels might be missing.

In order to more fully describe condition, we may use these abbreviations:

bc = back cover
bce = brown cover edge
bd = binding defect
br = brittle
brn = brown
bsp =  bottom staple popped
c = cover
ccr = cover crease
cd = cutting defect
cfl = centerfold loose
cp = cover price
cs = cover stain
ct = cover tear
dsc = date stamp cover
icr = issue crease or impact crease
if = issue fold
ink = distributor paint on top edge   
ipt = interior page torn
it = issue tear (most pages)   
lpoc = large piece out of cover
m = minor
nbs = no bottom staple
nts = no top staple
ph = photo
poc = piece out of cover
poip = piece out of interior page
pos = piece out of spine
p = printing (when following 1st, 2nd, etc.)
pg = page
repr = reprint
rs = rolled spine
's = plural   
sf = subscription fold   
sm = small   
spoc = small piece out of cover
ss = spine split
sw = spine wear
t = tiny
tan = tan (lighter than brown)   
tc = taped cover
tce = tan cover edge
tip = taped interior page   
tpoc = tiny piece out of cover
ts = taped spine   
wd = water damage
wroc = writing on cover   
wroip = writing on interior page   
wrpp = writing on puzzle page
ws = water stain
inch = inch, such as 2 inch split spine.

These abbreviations may be used in various combinations. For example,
mbcs's would mean minor back cover stains.  

Here are a few other abbreviations used:
Whit = Whitman imprint in DC's and Gold Keys.   
Giant = comic with more pages than usual
PB = paperback book
HC = hardcover book
SC = softcover book