9.8 Guide! THESE DEFECTS May not impact your CGC grade!

[@joelatorre]

Yet again, another good, informative video. 👍 good stuff

[@MintHunterComics]

Appreciate the kind words Joe my man! These are a blast to produce

[@marnices729]

@@MintHunterComics ok what if a person has a number one comic with no price tag on it and it’s a issue number one

[@joelatorre]

@@christianweatherbroadcasting Very interesting, that after 2 years this comment pops up under my reply. I am a Christian and I placed my trust and faith in Jesus Christ 26 years ago. I am redeemed and my life has changed for the better because of His love and sacrifice for my sin and the sins of the world.

[@JamesSackett]

Thank you i am normally a raw comic collector and I am getting ready to do a large submit to CGC so this helped

[@MintHunterComics]

I'm glad this helped!

[@genomstudios2159]

So ... I have to ask... how did the submissions go? Just curious as I'm thinking of getting some done for the first time myself.

[@JamesSackett]

@@genomstudios2159 I still don’t have them back yet. Due to this back log. I sent them in April. CGC marked received in Jun and here we sit.

[@misterscorbunny5524]

@@JamesSackettany update

[@JamesSackett]

@@misterscorbunny5524 i received them about a month ago so they were gone about 15 month total

[@ComicsMetropolis]

Another Perfect video with Condition insights that helps us immensely to consider things correctly before submitting books.Keep up the Mint work you Are doing!Bravo!

[@richwujek3250]

Great video! I did not know about the corner bindery tears allowance. Good info!

[@MintHunterComics]

If it's under 1/16th of an inch it may be worth the submission!

[@michaeltgonzalez1458]

Speaking to the color rub defect at 9:23, I have a Wolverine #1 (2020) with the die-cut yellow cover. It had some pretty significant dirt/grime/whatever near the staples on the cover similar to what is shown in this video but I was able to completely remove it with a white "hi-polymer" eraser without affecting the yellow of the cover at all. Also, I tried a "magic eraser" pad on the white areas of some older comics and it cleaned up that yellowing/oxidation quite well.

[@BSchnurr]

Dude awesome video thank you

[@MintHunterComics]

Glad you enjoyed it! submit away!

[@marksshelfspacecollectibles]

Color rub on those Ross covers was a mother. I made the mistake of using some Absorene putty on the ASM cover and ruined it. White eraser, when used gently, worked fine.

[@MintHunterComics]

ALWAYS white eraser never anything pink or red

[@ryanloaiza5742]

Whenever I buy my comics at my local comic shop I’ve been noticing white lines on the spine and it was really annoying me until now

[@MintHunterComics]

I LIKE when I see white lines because on those comics you can see spine imperfections more easily than normal spines!

[@arohila]

This was very helpful. Especially the Minimal Spine Divide...hate that..and the wripples.

[@MintHunterComics]

I'm glad it was helpful my man!

[@MasterSplinter79]

Great video! Love your channel! A big thumbs up from The Netherlands!

[@MintHunterComics]

Thanks my man! Glad you're enjoying the content!

[@James-os9ku]

Excellent video my man. This is a great channel.

[@MintHunterComics]

Ayyy - Glad you enjoy it!

[@mattsartstory2379]

Great video. Thanks for the helpful info. Can’t wait to submit my first comic!

[@MintHunterComics]

Glad it was helpful! and GOOD LUCK!

[@dlefebvre1976]

This was the best video I watched all year thank you very much very credible

[@MintHunterComics]

Oh hell yeah dude! That's quite the compliment!!

[@e36boy]

I have a 1st print UF4 with noticeable color rub but it's still a 9.8. I found it weird but still happy of course

[@MintHunterComics]

Ask a presser if it's something they can clean!

[@e36boy]

@@MintHunterComics but it's already cgc 9.8 graded. I forgot to mention

[@chrispark418]

great video, lots of good info. thanks for sharing. your vids are awesome!

[@MintHunterComics]

Ay thanks Chris! I appreciate the kind words!

[@osingsx1022]

This video was great! I was looking specifically for the staple marks for a while and you provided great insight. Instantly subscribed after the video. Thanks!

[@RaisingElmComics]

Thank you for pointing out the spine divide. This video is exactly the kind of information I was looking for. Keep up with the awesome content!!!

[@MintHunterComics]

Glad it was helpful!

[@adrianconlon]

Cheers for this video man, those corner ticks have been really bothering me but you've set me at ease. I'm more confident about my own books and what to send in.

[@MintHunterComics]

Glad I could help!

[@emmanuelcabrera1813]

Great info! I am almost ready for my first prescreen (I mostly do raw books, so it took a while). Honestly, I am sending several borderline books (Gleason cover, First Tommy Eliot, First Ilumaniti) that are worth taking a gamble to get a better sense of grading for future submissions and before cgc price hike goes into effect.

[@MintHunterComics]

Hey man good luck! And smart to do it now before the price hike

[@Supertomscustoms]

I don’t think they necessarily “allow” these flaws. It’s more likely they’re just making mistakes. And of course we all accept mistakes that increase the value of our books but at those higher grades it should be an exact science. Especially when there’s supposedly 3 graders looking at every book. They’re just not doing their job properly, probably because they’re flooded with submissions and just trying to churn through modern books as quickly as possible.

[@MintHunterComics]

I'm not sure I agree, I don't think its a matter of mistakes (usually) I know some of the CGC staff and their very hardcore about their appraising craft. I let them do their jobs and don't tell em how to do it, they allow certain off the press issues sometimes in the eyes of a talented grader because they know what's a legitimate defect and what's factory

[@Supertomscustoms]

@@MintHunterComics Sorry, I should have said certain flaws, like the color breaking creases. Most of the examples you gave, specifically the ones caused by the printing process are allowable. It’s a shame they don’t share that kind of information and leave it up to collectors to deduce their grading standards.

[@robertt9342]

I personally disagree with allowing age or manufacturing errors/damage. The grade should be reflective of the books and should not vary by title/issue/age.

[@JcLazy1]

@@Supertomscustoms honestly I agree with you.

[@JcLazy1]

@@robertt9342 what if during the 70s DC had an printing press issue and all new books for that year had a slight tear. You don’t think that’s worth noting if they began seeing a lot of those books that got submitted basically it is still near mint for that book cuz that’s how it was made.

[@LXA2008]

AMAZING VIDEO, very informative, thank you!! Could you please make a video about what kind of comics to submit to CGC? Key issues, rare variants, cool cover art?

[@MintHunterComics]

Great suggestion! I've been thinking about diving more into CGC submission talk

[@Tragiksouls]

Best CGC help video out there!

[@MintHunterComics]

I'm glad it was helpful!

[@daviclar867]

I have 50 issues of Silver Surfer v3 #50, the silver embossed cover I bought new the day the magazine guy filled the spinner racks. Everyone is mint except there is a manufacture crease on back cover almost the length of the book opposite side of spine. I watch a vid by Very Gary Comics where he had bought a collection that had several copies of said issue and come to find out everyone of his also had same defect. What do you know about it?

[@MintHunterComics]

If the same issue exists on any one book CGC usually takes that into account

[@daviclar867]

@@MintHunterComics I may call cgc and see what they say, Gary's are direct copies, mine are newsstand yet same defect on back cover! Thanks!

[@andrewcai5042]

It is remarkable hearing about all the intricacies of comic book grading.

[@MintHunterComics]

It goes even deeper than this!

[@willsweetin2313]

Thanks for the info. Been trying to grade my new books and this helped a lot. I subbed too btw

[@silveriver9]

Great vid! I'm new to comic collecting and am looking to submit my first comic. This vid answers all my questions.

[@MintHunterComics]

Glad to hear it!

[@House_of_Moe]

Very informative. Wish I saw this before I did my first submission.

[@MintHunterComics]

Thanks MoE, glad it could help (for the future)

[@SGeee6893]

Great info!! Thanks. 🙂👍🏻

[@MintHunterComics]

Glad it was helpful!

[@chrisfrost5646]

Excellent video. It will be very helpful for submitting. As far as writing on the cover goes, I think that date stamps/ writing would not hurt the grade. Sort of confirms its history.

[@MintHunterComics]

I love historical little blips like that!

[@davidleeolivo4817]

Some much knowledge and information form all of your videos brother keep them up! Definitely one of my favorite channels now ! 👊🏻🕸

[@gotfries2012]

❤ I enjoy the information that helped answer questions I tried finding on the factory folded white spine that can be seen on some of my books.

[@MintHunterComics]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Jen-kw2fn]

Awesome video, thank you so freaking much. I'm just about to start sending off for the first time and identifying what could be a 9.8 is a bit intimidating if you haven't done it before. I'm realistic about my chances but will be happy even if some come back a bit less. You rock!

[@MintHunterComics]

Hahaha thank you! Glad this helps!!

[@Crunch_Buttsteak]

Did you get any 9.8s?

[@superariosto]

Very Good and informative video. Is there any information on sunken staples? Thanks.

[@CollectorAuctions]

Thank you for this type of video. Great knowledge to have on hand when evaluating your books. I've had good 9.8 success on all of my Alex Ross Timeless books so far, but I took time to properly clean them all especially on the white areas on the front covers.

[@tonym2786]

Glad I watched this video I thought misswrapping was a spine roll, when I looked it up, thanks James.

[@AutomaticPoker]

I am going through some old books and deciding which to submit and which to keep raw. I'd like to see a video where you pre-screen a bunch of older and newer comics... and give your guess on what their grade would likely be as you go, based on experience. Showing some mid-grade books and what you think pressing could do for them would be cool too. Thanks for the great content!

[@dustygranger9499]

Having not submitted any books yet, this was pretty surprising! I’m more hopeful now that my books can come back at a higher grade!

[@MintHunterComics]

Glad I could offer a lil knowledge!

[@martynsimcox5177]

Good video with some very helpful tips and advice. Always a dilemma on submitting, but your video certainly helps with the learning process. Keep ‘em coming 😎👍

[@MintHunterComics]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ellenacarroll863]

Great information!!!

[@MintHunterComics]

Glad it was helpful!

[@austinthorpe4423]

This is impressive content. Thank you for preparing this really important info for the community.

[@MintHunterComics]

My pleasure! this stuff is always fun to share!

[@melvinjackson7631]

I got ultimate fallout #4 1:25 variant my book bleeds ink. I think it’s 9.4 if I send it off grand to CGC.

[@MintHunterComics]

Oh wow! that's a TOUGH TOUGH TOUGH book - good for you man!

[@ComicBoomTube]

Always interesting to watch. Thanks for all your hard work.

[@MintHunterComics]

You got it Boom! Glad you enjoyed

[@PasspointComics]

Thanks for the info. Great topic

[@MintHunterComics]

Thanks so much for the kind words my man!

[@fkylw]

I laughed so hard when you showed the ruler. The amount of micro investigation always astounds me.

[@gilbertaragon291]

Any experience with production tears on inside pages? I got multiple copies of an issue with the same tears on the same pages. Otherwise great condition and Wonder what to expect if I send them in

[@MintHunterComics]

Amazingly I've never really run into that much! Interior tearing on high grade books is quite rare

[@gilbertaragon291]

@@MintHunterComics thanks

[@get2thepunchline804]

I have a comic that I want to get graded, it’s a foil cover and I can see a couple fingerprints on it would that stop it from being a 9.8? Or is there an easy way to get fingerprints off of a foil cover?

[@MintHunterComics]

Foil is tricky - I'm not sure how to get that off. -I would message a professional cleaner/presser and ask!

[@get2thepunchline804]

@@MintHunterComics alright will do! Thanks!

[@jabezcreed]

Super helpful. Thanks!

[@MintHunterComics]

Glad it was helpful!

[@TotallyNotWicked]

When he bent the book.. I cringed and fell to the floor with tears.. I’m sure it was a 50 cent book anyways 😂

[@MintHunterComics]

I know exactly what you mean - that's from CGC's tutorial video - it's so heartbreaking to see lol

[@robertt9342]

I was thinking it was a previews or dc connect type of book.

[@roywatson7916]

Great information.

[@MintHunterComics]

Why thank you Roy!

[@westcoastcollectibles152]

Had a store stamp on the first page of a comic and got a 9.8 a couple times ...

[@MintHunterComics]

Really? every time I get 8.5s

[@timothygraham417]

I didn't believe you about the corner tears being common until I started looking through my new comics.

[@JB-ou6fl]

This video is very helpful. Thanks for making this video!

[@AlexSzostak13]

What Issues are you missing from Batman and Robin Adventures? I have been going through my collection and came across some as well as Batman Adventures #12. I have the entire collection from when they came out.

[@MintHunterComics]

Off the top of my head I believe its 25, 24, 18 16, 7. The problem is I'm able to find em raw, but I'm trying to find perfect nm copies that I can get slabbed to match the rest of my 9.8s, what condition are they in?

[@AlexSzostak13]

@@MintHunterComics I'd have to look when I get home. (At work now...) With the Batman Adventures & Batman & Robin Adventures, I may have read them once or not at all. They came bagged from the Comic store and I bagged and boarded them immediately and kept them safe. I will check for you when I get home and can send you some detailed pictures, if you're interested. Do you have an e-mail address?

[@MintHunterComics]

Yep! I think it'd in my information

[@knowgoodcomics]

Really great information here! Thanks so much for the great content, as always! Keep it up! 🤘🏽

[@MintHunterComics]

You got it my man! You're too kind

[@RebelLeeShook8877]

I'm learning how to grade, and I was wondering if you could do a video on grading comings step by step and what to look for on all grades. love your videos man thanks.

[@azb-comics]

Great vid. Very help full. I planing on getting a cgc acount. So I can submit some books. At the moment I mostly just buy books that are already graded. And small question do you have any 9.9 books in your collection? And one other question. My iron man#2020 has just 2 minor left corner tik/tear like your talking about. And a small spine tik if I get it a press could it get a 9.6/9.8? And I have a star the empire strikes back 40th anniversary. That has no Tiks. Ore corner tiles. Mabye just a small tik but that's all does that sound like a 9.8?

[@MintHunterComics]

It's possible but unfortunately since this video dropped CGC is a lot tougher on grading - I'd play it safe and say 9.4-9.6

[@azb-comics]

@@MintHunterComics on the iron man 2020 #1 right? I am pretty pretty sure the star wars book can hit a 9.8 I'll give it a press just to be extra safe. The book is in outstanding condition.

[@jstruss1]

very informative video - thank you!

[@MintHunterComics]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ericcampbell9553]

Yea my marvel team up 141 came back with waves in the graders notes. And got a 7.0 grade only 2 small ticks was expecting 9.0 at least

[@MintHunterComics]

Oof - I honestly recommend getting that bad boi pressed and resubmitted!

[@Vp-jt3vl]

Great video as always and very informative, I have the 1st silk that has a tiny tiny rip on the corner. I believe it may get a 9.6 or 9.8!

[@MintHunterComics]

If that rip is small it.may not affect it! Sounds like just a manufacturing defect!

[@stevenschaller1672]

Most of those "stamp"or grease pencil marks can also easily be erased from a decent looking book.ive had very good luck with this in the past.

[@MintHunterComics]

I've had a lot of luck removing those too, good advice my man

[@timdanner2596]

Very informative and appreciated. I was wondering about that corner tear. Prior to when I had stopped buying physical copies in 2009, I recall rarely seeing (or maybe not noticing) that kind of defect on new comics. Now, I see it on almost every new issue on the shelf. I had been wondering if that's a ding caused by printing or shipping since I was seeing at every shop.

[@oldcomiccollector8228]

Nice tips James 👍 Erasing colour rub on whites covers is pretty easy-black covers not so much! 😡

[@MintHunterComics]

Oh def not, cleaning comics in general can be quite daughnting!

[@hatmcjones]

another good video. thanks for the unique and well made content

[@MintHunterComics]

Glad you enjoy it! and thanks so much for not only your continuous support (I see you!) but also your engagement in the comments!

[@gwarguts]

I’m working on a 9.8 Watchmen run for the whole series

[@MintHunterComics]

Hell yeah dude that is awesome

[@gwarguts]

@@MintHunterComics I have all 12 and they're all 9.8 capable just need to send them off to get cleaned and pressed and then sent to CGC

[@allisknu11]

In the color rub section, I would have loved for you to talk about color rub with black or dark back covers. With white covers, you can clean most of it off, or all of it entirely. With color rubs on non-white covers, what would be considered negligible? Would love to see some examples of what is considered passable.

[@WhiteArtsMagic]

I have a 9.8 that has a little fluff in the bottom left corner... didnt know this was allowed but it apparently is

[@Kirok2005]

I've generally had good experiences with CGC as well. I'd say 75% of my submissions come back at my projected grade or higher. And often, when they don't, I'll see what they caught that I missed (when they explain the downgrade in the notes). Only a few truly baffling downgrades out of 300+ submissions. The one that still breaks my heart was when the nice lady from CGC called me with an apology that my 9.6 book had been mishandled during a routine reholder, and picked up a tear bringing it down to a 9.0. At least they were forthright and told me that they couldn't in good conscience just reholder it and send it back with the flaw at the same grade. That experience told me right there that despite humans being humans, sh*t happens, as a company they have to stick to their principles, despite it being their fault. Fortunately it wasn't a high dollar book, Daredevil #145. I got the FMV credit to my account balance.

[@Evilscomics]

Very interesting

[@MintHunterComics]

Glad you think so!

[@jeffguybersen]

Speaking of lenticulars; i have a stack of them, from the Walmart multi-packs, that have dent in the exact same spot on each of them. Obviously from the factory. The printing press or whatever damaged every one of the lenticulars i got from those packs.

[@travisjones5191]

Great content, as usual

[@MintHunterComics]

Thank you my man!

[@bennettbennettsb]

I have some books I got back that were flawless they came back in 8.5 or a 9.0. Other books I can definitely see flaws they get 9.4 or 9.6 makes no sense...

[@MintHunterComics]

Alas we're not professional graders! They see things we dont

[@Utubesanarc]

That's why I collect raw

[@robertt9342]

@@Utubesanarc . Wouldn’t you have the same problem the OP has if you decide (for whatever reason) to send them into CGC for grading? Sure if you never send it in, you don’t really need to worry about it, but then that doesn’t really say much about the problem the OP is experiencing. Realistically if the OP cares about “CGC” grade of their book then they’d be better off learning how to grade in combination with buying slabbed books instead. I collect raw because I am not chasing a number and would just like to have the books in my collection.

[@chriselli2468]

Terrific tips! I’m interested to see how you press a book yourself. 🧐

[@MintHunterComics]

I thought I'd do a video but there's SOOOOO many pressing vids out there - not sure

[@christopherlacher3544]

If it's a high end book they will be harder on it.

[@MintHunterComics]

Often times this is true

[@ricardobalcazar1227]

What could be the grade of a Hulk 181 NM but without the stamp?.

[@MintHunterComics]

Hard to say without seeing the book!

[@tazblazing]

Hi new subscriber..!! Do you have to get every comic books quick press and clean with CGC every time even though the books have no ticks or any kind of defects..? I have never submit any books to CGC or CBCS yet.. Thk

[@MintHunterComics]

You can skip it if you're THAT confident it's the grade you want, otherwise it seems to be the best route to take!

[@cy8646]

What was that 9.6 Venom? It had a noice cover!

[@MintHunterComics]

Absolutely!

[@terraincognita3749]

Thanks for a very useful video, this will help me!

[@nateflores6231]

Hold on someone got a new mutants #98 in a 9.9!

[@MintHunterComics]

AYYYYYY!!!!

[@PasspointComics]

May I ask what camera and audio you use?

[@MintHunterComics]

I just use my phone! Galaxy 10 or 11 I forget haha. Id upgrade but I need more money!

[@grandmasterkevv]

I'm wondering if I should grade my Invincible ironman #1 1995 Gold Signature comic. I'm afraid it won't be a high 9 cause of some creases on the spine. I still have the certificate it came with, I have comic #50

[@LoochMindReader]

Fantastic video James, thank you for doing this!

[@MintHunterComics]

My pleasure!

[@christophertomasello1227]

Sometime ago I submitted a Spider-Man 20 to cgc and it came back as a 6.0. the book looks like it's a 7 to a 7.5. I've shown this slabbed book to dealers and if you told me that because the Staples could be seen on the front of the book it was downgraded. This does happen, Staples can also be seen on the back of the book as opposed to on the side where they are generally supposed to appear. My question is should this printing and binding defect adversely affect the grade?

[@MintHunterComics]

I've never heard of that affecting the grade, that doesn't seem right to me. I have plenty of miswrapped staple books that scores appropriate grades

[@christophertomasello1227]

@@MintHunterComics "miswrapped staple books"(!) I can't believe I've gone all these years without knowing that there was an actual name for that! Thanks for the information.

[@lawrencelerat2847]

Good information video - sent my childhood comic(s) for slabbing to keep. I won't sell them.........

[@MintHunterComics]

Very cool

[@adwe6428]

I was wondering if this Marvel Unlimited sticker hiding online code has impact on the comic book. Normally I'm not reading comic books, I prefer digital copy of these comics. Does removing it will reduce grade?

[@kingofthewest777]

I have a giant size Defenders# 3 it's N/M but the inside has some rust on staples could it still get a 9.8

[@Kur0Gaming]

I ordered a comic one time, I opened it from the bag and board 1 time just to examine it, it’s a variant cover the comic title itself doesn’t matter I just need to know if CGC will look past the fact that the corner at the bottom right if it’s slightly bent on the front but… dammit I wish I can send you a picture! Let’s just say I need to press the corner at the bottom right.

[@MintHunterComics]

Sadly my advise is almost ALWAYS these days to get it pressed!

[@charlesjohnson3287]

New to your channel. This video is a bit older. How have your observations faired against CGC’s newer more stringent grading standards?

[@hinathan5631]

Great video to educate people. You've got a sitting Driver's Ed video voice.

[@hinathan5631]

I mean that in the most complimentary way.

[@MintHunterComics]

Hahahaha I'll have to contact my local DMV

[@darrenszaporium1710]

Great video I have definitely been harsh on what I’ve sent to CGC, I may have to send some others off now 👍

[@MintHunterComics]

You should! Don't be afraid of 9.6s too!

[@darrenszaporium1710]

@@MintHunterComics I won’t be now thank you

[@devonferris2293]

There's also the gripper defects (I believe that's what they are called). Say if your book has to little tears on the bottom of the cover and the pages have holes across them. I just bought an ASM 361 that has these. But the book is beautiful other than those flaws.

[@MintHunterComics]

You are correct! finger grip defetcs

[@MrAxel1986]

thanks for the video. I found it because i was looking to see if the white line on the spine would hurt the grade. Wish me luck sending it the last ronin lost years 1:100 with the white line on the spine.

[@dreworyan5652]

How much is it to send in like 10 comics? I have 2 copies of Deathstroke #1 and 2 copies of Ultimate Spider-Man #1s as well as a few I just want for personal collection or see if they accumulate value! Would be a first time doing it so I’m scared to send my mini grails away even tho they’re not much

[@kevanfarrell2819]

Color rub issues - a little TLS with a white eraser my friend

[@westcoastcollectibles152]

When a book looks perfect on the front and back and corners and it does not get a 9.8 is is a problem within the book ...Very often page creases in the centre of the book.80s books are really know for this....A pile of unread perfect looking books is not a pile of 9.8s.

[@OhSamael]

Sent in a brand new book with no damage whatsoever, got a 9.6..... looked at the imaging they provided after slabbing and looks like there might be a new tic on it that wasn't there when I sent in....

[@OhSamael]

Also sent a Miracle Man #1 that was pressed and cleaned, 9.8 candidate with multiple opinions from others who also submit a lot and all said either 9.6-9.8 but it came back a 9.2..... again looked at the imaging on the slab they provided and somehow it ended up with dirt on the back cover that wasn't there before.... When anyone sends in might have to also be cautious that CGC is not always handle your comics with care

[@imadnakhleh]

I got a 9.6 with small bindary tear spine.

[@cable30]

I think if ever to get a comic graded just for fun of it i might have some high number comics cause i dont handle them bad except maybe old ones but still i sure or guess i didnt purpose ruin any unles already jacked up ahead of me checking them out any. i dont read any i have got recent or won any so may have some or many high number comics by chance.

[@namjoonslegsarejustwow6043]

Very educational!

[@daimons7261]

Ya it's crazy my 9.8 new mutants 98 looks more like a 9.4 or 9.6. I don't see any spine ticks however the book is slightly warped in the slab which kinda bugs me. Also bottom right corner has a very slight pin size page chip

[@l.greenemachine66]

Thank you very much very informative.