best technique to grade a comic


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best technique to grade a comic

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50AE DE

Posted 9/1/2009 9:11:07 PM

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Last Login: 3/13/2010 10:53:52 PM
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I've been collecting for about 30 years and have been grading my books based on the "old" grading system (NM, VF, F, VG, etc.). I have the first edition of the Overstreet Grading Guide and when I try to grade my books using the "number" system I seem to be way off on the grade. I seems that I'm grading them either .5 to 1.0 higher than the opinions I've been receiving on my books.

What is your method in determining the "number" grade? Start with the biggest defect on the book, find the highest corresponding grade for that defect and work down from there?

One other thing, what happened with "Prestine Mint"? Did it just get replaced with "Gem Mint"? I recently started back collecting, having stopped in the mid-90s, and back then "Gem Mint" was used to described baseball cards, not comics.

Thanks.

Post #70968

oxbladder

Posted 9/2/2009 11:26:10 AM

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Last Login: Yesterday @ 7:58:24 PM
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50AE DE (9/1/2009)

The first OSGG used the 100 point scale which isn't bad until you get into the whole debate about what should a 56 be valued at over say a 55. It was miles better than just using the letter grades which were way too broad. The ten point scale is the 100 point scale dumbed down. Everything gets essentially lumped into a grade. For example whether one VF is actually nicer than another doesn't matter because they all get lumped into the VF grade

What is your method in determining the "number" grade? Start with the biggest defect on the book, find the highest corresponding grade for that defect and work down from there?

Don't think too much about the 100 point scale. They easily work together but you have to be aware of the differences.

Basically, I take a look at the inside and outside and give it a basic grade and then look closer to see if it should be in that general grade or higher or lower. Another method used is assume 10.0 and find all the defects and work down from there. Either way works depending on whether you are working with lower or higher grade books.

You can also take a look at how CGC grades and from there modify your methods since they allow or disallow certain defects.

Being 0.5 off is not a big deal because it is subjective being 1.0 off is a big deal but grading accurately from a scan is not really possible. The higher the resolution the more small defects will be hilighted. Some people weigh certain defects heavier than others, etc.

Like with anything all you need is practice.

One other thing, what happened with "Prestine Mint"? Did it just get replaced with "Gem Mint"?I recently started back collecting, having stopped in the mid-90s, and back then "Gem Mint" was used to described baseball cards, not comics.

Yes they replaced pristine mint with Gem mint. Not a big deal.

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