If you've read our grading scale guide, you already know what NM, VF, and FN mean. The harder question is what to actually do with that knowledge: should this specific book stay raw in a bag and board, or is it worth the cost and wait time of a CGC submission? Here's how to decide.
What You're Actually Paying For
CGC grading isn't just a number in a slab. You're paying for three separate things: an expert, standardized opinion on condition; permanent physical protection in an archival holder; and a locked-in, third-party-verified grade that removes all doubt for a future buyer. Raw books have none of those — the grade is always someone's opinion, and the book keeps aging and handling risk with every trade.
When Grading Almost Always Makes Sense
Genuine key issues. First appearances, landmark deaths, and major anniversary issues (see our guide to spotting key issues) hold enough value that the cost of grading is easily justified by the premium a graded copy commands.
High-grade vintage books. A Golden or Silver Age book already sitting near the top of the grading scale benefits the most — the difference between an unverified "NM-" and a CGC 9.6 can be substantial in dollar terms.
Anything you plan to sell in the next few years. Buyers pay a premium for certainty. A raw book, however nice, always carries a small "trust discount" compared to an identical graded copy.
Signed books. A CGC Signature Series label is the only widely accepted way to permanently verify a signature is authentic and tied to the specific book.
When Raw Makes More Sense
Reading copies. If you actually want to read the book, keep it raw — a slabbed comic can't be opened without destroying the label's value.
Modern low-value issues. Grading costs (submission fees, shipping, insurance, wait time) can easily exceed the market value of an ordinary modern comic. It only makes financial sense once a book's raw value clears a meaningful threshold.
Books you're still deciding about. A well-stored raw book in an acid-free bag and board (see our storage guide) loses very little value sitting untouched while you decide whether it's a long-term keeper.
A Simple Rule of Thumb
If a book's raw value comfortably covers the submission fee several times over, and you're not planning to read it, grading almost always pays for itself in both protection and resale value. Below that threshold, a proper bag, board, and storage box does the job for a fraction of the cost.
Submitting Through Superhero Empire
As a CGC Authorized Dealer, we handle pre-screening, packing, insured shipping, and warehouse drop-off/pickup for submissions — no tier forms or customs paperwork on your end. Contact our team to get your books included in our next submission batch, or browse our Signed & Graded Comics collection to see what's already come back from CGC.