What does a 9.8 graded comic mean?
The 9.8 Grade Defined
On the 10-point grading scale used by CGC and CBCS, 9.8 is Near Mint/Mint (NM/M). The book looks almost perfect: flat, glossy, sharp corners, white pages (or off-white), and a tight, square spine.
Only very minor defects are permitted, such as a single tiny stress mark on the spine, a slight miswrap, or a small printing flaw. Anything more noticeable—like a color-breaking crease, a tear, or heavy tanning—drops the grade below 9.8.
A 9.8 is often called a 'high grade' and is highly sought after by collectors, especially for modern keys. It's not the absolute top: 9.9 (Mint) and 10.0 (Gem Mint) exist but are extremely rare.
Why 9.8 Matters for Value
For many modern comics, the difference in value between a 9.8 and a 9.6 can be substantial—sometimes double or more. That's because 9.8 is the highest grade most collectors can realistically obtain for a given book.
For older comics (Golden, Silver, Bronze Age), a 9.8 is exceptionally rare and can sell for thousands or tens of thousands of dollars. But for a common modern book, even a 9.8 might only be worth $20–$50 over the raw copy.
Always check recent sold prices for the specific comic in 9.8, because demand varies wildly by title, issue, and era.
- 9.8 = Near Mint/Mint, almost flawless.
- Allowed defects: tiny spine stress, minor miswrap, small printing error.
- Not the top grade: 9.9 and 10.0 are higher but rare.
- Value jump from 9.6 to 9.8 can be large for modern keys.
Common mistakes
- Thinking 9.8 is the highest possible grade—9.9 and 10.0 exist.
- Assuming every 9.8 comic is worth a lot; common books in 9.8 may still be cheap.
- Confusing 9.8 with a perfect 10.0; even 9.8 allows minor flaws.
