Comics what does nm mean

Compared to a VF, cover inks are beginning to show a loss in reflectivity and cover gloss, but it is still a highly collectible and desirable book. Pages and interior covers may be tan, but pages must still be fairly supple with no signs of brittleness.

Could have store or distributor stamps on the cover. Many collectors seek items in this grade. A magazine or comic book that has some qualities of a Fine condition copy and some of a VG condition copy. An average used magazine or comic book. Looks like it belonged to a family that had a couple of kids and was read many times. A comic in this grade shows some wear, can have a reading or center crease or a moderately rolled spine, but still has enough appeal to make it a desirable copy.

Some discoloration, fading and even minor soiling is allowed. Store stamps, name stamps, arrival dates, initials, etc. Cover and interior pages can have some minor tears and folds and the centerfold may be detached at both staples. The cover may also be loose, but not completely detached. Common bindery and printing defects do not affect grade. Pages and inside covers may be brown but not brittle. Tape should never be used for comic book repair; however, many VG condition comics have minor tape repair.

A comic book that has some qualities of a VG copy and some of a Good condition copy. Still readable and collectible.

Books in this grade are commonly creased, scuffed, abraded, soiled and may have as much as a long spine split, but are still completely readable. Often, paper quality is low but not brittle. Cover reflectivity is low, and in some cases, completely absent. While we cannot guarantee that a book graded twice will receive the same grade each time, we can guarantee that every comic we sell has been listed at the grade at which we purchased it.

Most comics graded using the ten-point grading scale have cover scans, so when you're considering purchasing a comic you can see the front and sometimes back cover scans of the exact comic being offered. For cheaper comics graded on the basic grading scale, we show you a stock image of what that issue's cover looks like, but we don't scan the exact book being offered. These comic grading services will grade a comic and then seal the comic in a hard plastic case that displays the assigned grade.

These grading services assign grades on the same ten-point grading scale used by MyComicShop. You can easily identify a slabbed comic because the grades will include the name of the grading service, such as "CGC 9. A comic that has not been slabbed is sometimes referred to as a "raw" comic, which means a regular comic not encased in a plastic slab.

Very few comics are returned to us due to grading, but should you receive a comic that you believe is not properly graded, please contact us at service mycomicshop. We will gladly work out a solution that meets your needs and concerns. Please note that unauthorized returns are returned at the sender's own expense. By bidding on or purchasing a third-party graded comic you are acknowledging your acceptance of the grade assigned by the certification company. By purchasing a third-party graded comic you accept that MyComicShop is not responsible for the grade assigned by the grade certification company.

A nearly perfect copy that looks brand new with only a few very minor defects. On the ten-point grading scale, a lower grade like 9. We do not assign the grades 9. You will only see these ultra-high grades on comics slabbed by one of the grading services.

There is such a small degree of separation between the grades 9. In some cases it is possible for a comic shipped brand new from the publisher, or purchased new from a comic store's shelves, to already be in less than near mint condition due to the way the comic was produced, shipped, stored, or handled prior to purchase.

A VF copy has minor defects, but is in overall excellent condition. Most well-kept modern comics especially if they have been read fall into this grade. A comic in FN condition is considered "above average" but still displays some wear. You also need good lighting such as a desk lamp. When handling a book, you need to take some precautions. First, be sure your hands are clean and dry. Some people prefer to use cotton gloves, which is fine.

The main thing you need to do here is prevent dirt, oil or substances that be on your hands from getting on the book. Most books are bagged to protect the book and the bag is usually secured with a piece of tape. It is best to completely remove the tape from the bag and place it somewhere where the book has no chance of coming in contact with it.

Accidentally allowing the tape to come in contact with the book may result in damage, possibly as severe as a tear. Make sure you have a clean, dry surface that is free of anything that could damage the book. One of the most common mistakes is having a drink or food nearby that could spill or drip on the book, causing a stain. When viewing the book, use the desk lamp so you can clearly see everything. First, move the book around under the light to view the cover including the back.

You should be able to gather an opinion about the gloss of the cover by how the light reflects on it. Does it look completely new? Books with wear have lost some or all of their gloss and the degree of gloss remaining is one of the main factors in grading.

Moving the book at different angles under the light not only allows you to view the gloss, but also look for defects. You will be able to see light creases or folds, stains, dimples or other types of damage to the cover. Often minor defects such as a light crease where the paper has not been broken may be difficult to see without a good light, especially inside a bag. Inspect the edges of the cover, including the corners.

Examine the spine very closely as it is the next spot that typically shows wear. Look very closely at the staples. Books that have seen water damage or just even some humidity may have staples that are corroding and causing the paper to turn color.

You will also be looking for tears or even separation of the cover or pages from the staple. As you open the book, be especially careful if you know you are dealing with one that is old and potentially brittle, or if you fear the staples are not firm. It is very easy to separate the cover from a staple if it is almost there already. Be aware that staples are often misaligned which makes it a lot easier to cause damage as either the front or back cover will pull on the staple.

Inspect the staple areas as good as you can from the inside to determine if they are nice and firm, pulled or even completely separated from the cover or any of the pages. Also check to see if the staples are original — they should be flat on the inside of the book rather than crimped like most staplers you find in an home are. Staples are often added or replaced to reinforce a book that is falling apart. Next, you need to evaluate the paper quality.

Paper typically has sulfur or other substances that cause it to turn color as it ages. You will need to describe what the paper looks and feels like. High grade books will have white or off-white paper. From there, paper will be yellow or tan to brown in color. No discernable faults. To all intents and purposes a brand new copy. What distinguishes Near Mint from Mint is that Mint is supposed to represent perfection. As most uncirculated copies are rarely 'perfect', the term Mint is rarely used or should be viewed with caution..

An 'as new' copy, with minor defects a very small spine crease, or a very slight dink on the corner. Should have strong 'eye appeal' - with any fault hardly noticeable without close inspection..

A nice collectable copy, that may show a few signs of wear. At arms length it should look nearly new, but on closer inspection, you may spot small faults - a small light crease, a few spine creases, a small stain, interior pages not perfect white light browning at the edges OK - heavy browning not OK in this grade. Should still look nice, but not perfect.. An average 'used' copy.