Top 5 Comic Book Flaws that CGC HATES!

Don't submit THESE to CGC... These are overlooked flaws that CGC will dock MAJOR points off of the grade of the book! Spread the awareness! share with friends and learn how to be a better savvy-submitter!
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0:00 Intro
1:32 "Store Stamps"
4:50 "Staple Popping"
7:05 "Polybag Indents"
10:17 "Small Corner Tears"
12:29 "Mixing High Grade with Lower"
15:47 Poll Results!

[@Dewfanatic]

As someone who has been considering submitting for the first time, and trying to improve my grading assessments, I find this content very helpful.

[@MintHunterComics]

That's great to hear!

[@jwmvid17]

Pro grading is so arbitrary. That is one of the reasons that, imo, paying exorbitant prices for the 9.8s and above is illogical for a true collector. It should be the content and rarity of the book that warrants the price. When I say "rarity of the book", I do not mean the rarity of the grade.

[@danielperkins9347]

I tend to agree. The difference between a 9.6 and a 9.8 is largely immaterial. But the price difference? Probably not warranted.

[@danielperkins9347]

I tend to agree. The difference between a 9.6 and a 9.8 is largely immaterial. But the price difference? Probably not warranted.

[@d1138vader]

This basically reinforces my personal opinion of don’t send books to get slabbed. Maybe just the big gold/silver/bronze and maybe a modern big keys

[@doctortcomics2576]

This detailed analysis is one of the reasons why your channel has soared past 10K subscribers. Thank you for putting so much time into this wonderfully helpful information.

[@MintHunterComics]

Dude that's the best compliment there is. Cheers!

[@doctortcomics2576]

@@MintHunterComics The editing you do to clearly convey the information and provide concrete examples is no joke. You are spending hours to do it in many if not all of your videos.

[@forsakenV12]

1. Stamping 2. Staple popping 3. Poly bag indent 4. Missing corners 5. Mixing high grade with low grade Great stuff. I am barely getting into comic grading. This video was very helpful.

[@codywolf6336]

You summed it up in just a few words perfectly. I watched the video, but all I had to do was read this comment 😂

[@forsakenV12]

@codywolf6336 thank you. Glad I could help

[@matrix_comix]

Alright that last one is just crazy! That's such bs and I can't believe that we as collectors have such an incurable slab sized void in our souls that we continue to punish ourselves through these companies!

[@MintHunterComics]

You're not wrong! and tbh it's pretty rare... and maybe just speculation but I've sen it happen too many times!

[@ronniestryke570]

Another amazingly insightful & very helpful video. Thanks M for the knowledge drop. Appreciate this info.

[@Swagglehaus]

Great video James! Didn’t know about those stamps - seems really harsh. Thanks for the info 👍

[@ComicsMetropolis]

This is perhaps,the Best video on the Internet,we have seen on tackling the above matter!Great Job,Bravo!Having submitted comics to CGC for our Store in the past,we encountered the same Disappointment when we submitted an at least 9.8 to our opinion,Newstand copy of Amazing Spider-man #301 with a Spectacular gloss on the cover,being returned at a 7.5 instead..The only flaws were the Store's seal and price stamp on the front and back covers!We even made the mistake of pressing the issue through CCS,and the whole process caused a brutal removal of the price stamp on the back cover with a part of the back cover's surface being torn off!Our most Horrible Condition experience,ever!We applied for a Pedigree,for this was distributed by a specific industry called "Anglo-Hellenic Agency" in Greece that lasted around 10 years and then stopped newstand circulation that had their seal on every newstand copy apart from the specific store's seal on the specific issue but our Pedigree application was denied!So,if you were looking for the absolute Frustrated experience that proves the making of this video,we had it and now,we understand Why!Thank you Very much for illustrating the reasons,So clearly!

[@wahoocomics]

Holy cow I'm just getting ready to start submitting regularly and never knew about the need to submit similarly graded books together. You saved me lol.

[@MintHunterComics]

I go even further and submit similar years! lol

[@robertditaranto7568]

Brother, what an insightful video!!! Thank you

[@AlexMartinez-es6qz]

Thanks again for the great tips. Always entertaining and informative.

[@MintHunterComics]

Glad you found it helfpul!

[@MartyTheOneManParty_]

great videos man, I'm new to the market and you're helping out

[@22695750]

Hey James, really enjoy your channel. I recently got back into collecting comics after a 20 year hiatus lol, but it’s cool to have a comic tuber close to home. I think your in the new hope/south Jersey area and I live in Philly. Great stuff my man!

[@rgi_comics]

I’ve been trying to determine the grade of a FCBD issue with a store stamp for a long time. I was never able to get an accurate estimation until now. Thanks for the video.

[@MintHunterComics]

Glad I could help! sadly they're an 8.5 at best :(

[@DanZedDannyboy6009]

Great video, Very Informative!!

[@garyrossingtonfan1833]

Thanks fort the tips I will look for these in my long box

[@ImproveCollectingComics]

Wow, never thought to submit similar grade/age books. I was just putting together a submission that had multiples of the same copy.. definitely going to separate it out now into a few smaller submissions. Thanks for the tip!

[@MintHunterComics]

Mutliples work (If they're in the same grade ballpark) otherwise you don't want to risk a bad apple spoiling the other higher grade ones. I've seen it happen more than a few times!

[@danielperkins9347]

@@MintHunterComics the fact that this is a consideration is obnoxious. Especially to someone like me who would be submitting low amounts of books. I’m not looking to do multiple submissions.

[@tchavezjr]

Great video. I learned a lot. Started following you and see more of your content!

[@MintHunterComics]

Welcome aboard!

[@son0fty111]

You are pumping out vids love it always brightens a bad day

[@MintHunterComics]

Glad you like them!

[@jeff-xm7fg]

This whole discussion is above my head. I've read and collected comics since I was 8 (I'm 58 now). Over the years I've lost or given away so many comics that turned out to be super valuable today. Recently I've given away thousands of books to local collectors that are more conscientious and serious about it than I ever was. I'd rather put the books in the hands of folks that love them than go through anything remotely like the process you describe here. I did recently set aside some books that I thought might have economic value, but mostly things that had sentimental and nostalgic value to me. I might sell them someday, but I will sell directly to collectors - people I think love comics as I do - not through this system that seems arbitrary at best. Crazy.

[@ChristopherMitchellANDFAMILY]

59 here... TOTALLY feeling that! 😅

[@seanwelch71]

I prefer the Overstreet grading guide. Why should cgc be the standard grading system, when Overstreet is recognized as the time tested measure. Comics are produced by presses and indifferent operators. Being satisfied with good reading and a nice library of comics soothes the disappointing results of grading. I think that 9.5 and 9.8 should be the top grades. There are no 10s. Paper is ephemeral and so is human perception. You don't grade with a magnifying glass.

[@scooobydoo27]

Thanks so much for that last tip. I'm not surprised about the other ones. The stamping is controversial, but I'm on the more strict side of the argument, personally, because hanging on your wall that stamp stands out like a sore thumb. I get that back in the day stamping was standard, but to me, it's distracting. But I see how others don't. The same goes for the giant crease, though I feel like they should be more lenient with a crease on the back and not the front.

[@pickingandpunching]

Great video man! Great tips.

[@dannyrezendes6605]

Thanks for the heads up brother.

[@johnconstantine7442]

Basically you at the whim of who is grading it. If he/she has a bad day or feels lazy, you are screwed. Vice versa if you get a chill one you struck gold. Justifying every grade should be a must at CGC or CBCS.

[@MrStinkycableguy]

Excellent video as always James. Thanks brother 🤘🏼

[@MintHunterComics]

My pleasure!!

[@MrHarryeisenstein]

Great video! Thanks! Question... regarding the rubber stamping, how does CGC feel about "Not To Be Sold" stamps, on books that were comped to Marvel employees?

[@jpl484]

James, a little more history for you, 4:44 Empire Comics in Rochester in the mid- late 70's my was Uncle's Shop. He a was a major dealer and convention regular at the time had 3 stores in upstate NY area, and unearthed several major collections in his day with many of the Golden Age grails, Action 1, Detective 27 etc.... success and partners where his downfall as money squabbles and other legal issues let the its eventual implosion. Empire comics did however donate untold number of all its unsold newstand copies on regular basis for charity and inventory management all these books would get the Empire Comics shop stamp and there are tons of todays bronze age keys out there with that stamp. My brother and I would always get a huge box at XMAS every year with tons of these copies it how we got into collecting. You're right about the Stamp thou..while I sold many of these back before encapsulated grading was a thing, I definitely have issues moving high grade books with this stamp. Not sure that he and his partners could be called some "unknown ass store(s") Great Video anyway...just thought I share because of the personal connection

[@MintHunterComics]

What a fantastic piece of history! I'd love to do an interview if he'd ever be down... (the "unknown ass store was a joke on CGC not the store" hahaha. Sounds like an amazing Christmas every year

[@jpl484]

@@MintHunterComics he's still around, we arent that close but i know hes still deals books out of a consignment shop in upstate NY, i'll reach out...oh no worries on the comment , i got where you were coming from. while i have seen his stamp come up before in auctions and sales , this 1st time I have seen it come up on you tube content. I follow you on instagram, if I hear from him and he's interested Ill DM you..

[@zoso73]

Thanks for sharing

[@bronzevillecomics2581]

Excellent info. I have a couple of nice 8.0ish books with small corner pieces missing (Fear 19 and Marvel Spotlight 4). I’ll have to see if they are too big to send in.

[@collectiblestoastonish]

Great video as always James.

[@MintHunterComics]

Thanks for watching

[@thegamingroot5316]

Really good video this was helpful

[@Joeh1154]

Thank you for your post. A lot of perhaps obvious things here that would bring down a grade like staple popping, missing pieces, tears, impact creases and more. Easily seen defects that can't be mitigated would be a sign to keep the book raw, at least for me. The eye opener for me was the submission of book of a similar tier and not mixing tiers. Your example of the Detective comic was interesting. I'll keep it in mind. Best to all.

[@stevencosta3148]

Excellent video Dave. I won the Annual 14 on your auction for around that price. I feel pretty good now about the win, without over paying.

[@michaelcalabrese2960]

Very informative video. Thank you. Also, How about staining and fixing?

[@JOHNSmith-ww2ru]

always super informative

[@MintHunterComics]

Why thank you!

[@Kurenai1819]

Thank you for this excellent vlog on CGC grading.👍🏼

[@cherrygrove.]

Thank you for all this info, helped a ton

[@MintHunterComics]

Glad to hear it!

[@robertferguson5301]

Great video, very informative. Now I know that I should only submit key issues of comic books and consider the what condition they're in.

[@charlesjohnson3287]

Super informative!

[@danscoolpaper]

Great video as always. You can get a qualified grade on detached cover. As I found out with my Iron man #128 CGC 9.6..Even with the green label it is better than a grade of 5.5 for such a pretty looking book.Thanks again for the great content.

[@Mr.Persia958]

Awesome video man.

[@tehBigFeet]

This is pretty helpful. Thanks!

[@MintHunterComics]

Glad to hear it!

[@versewonderstrikes5353]

Awesome video, very informative I watched it 3X. I’m preparing for my first submission.

[@MintHunterComics]

Glad it was helpful!

[@sfla2010]

Great video very informative

[@MintHunterComics]

Glad it was helpful!

[@karlburkhardt9902]

Informative video. I knew about four of those five. Grade mixing makes sense for lower grades. The only one that makes no sense to me is the polybag indentation. Easily remedied by pressing. The other flaws are somewhat common sense when you see them.

[@MintHunterComics]

The polybag thing is so easily fixed - sadly those other one's you're a bite stuck with!

[@Sudar2424]

I'm about to submit to cgc for the first time. Thank you for the helpful video, it answered some questions I had. Thank you and keep it coming

[@MintHunterComics]

Glad it was helpful!

[@zoso73]

Legit date-stamps and hand-written pencil or pen marks with date + distributor, coming from a primary retailer (pharmacy, newsstand) are ok. Store stamps from a secondary seller (book stores such as good ole Bonnett's; comic shop resellers), kids writing their names, are definitely a downgrade.

[@damonarvid3548]

That makes sense. Surprised after a thousand copies wouldn't get that...

[@minuswyatt2437]

Super helpful guide!

[@MintHunterComics]

Glad it was helpful!

[@m.a.cm.a.c9308]

Great job!

[@mauricedevereaux6573]

Great informative video. Kudos!...:)

[@MintHunterComics]

Glad it helped!

[@iNeverHadMercy]

Very helpful and informative info 🦾💰💰💰

[@milvetcomics3366]

Great tips!

[@alexanderkliminksy7574]

Happy New Year

[@stevebell5017]

Nice one James

[@MintHunterComics]

Why thank you!

[@jacob_comics]

Thanks for the tips

[@adamburkhart4046]

That is some very helpful stuff. The grade groupings you received and the positive results of your resubmission strategies reveal an inherent flaw in the system. The CGC graders, despite having expertise in comic grading ( which is questionable, especially with all the new hiring of late ), fall victim to basic human tendencies; people want to group things in similar or like bunches. Submitting comics for grading feels like a crapshoot at times, but I like your idea of upping the odds in one's favor. Another common defect on Silver/Gold books that really will hammer the grade is any kind of spine tear or split. If you see books on eBay graded as "6.5 FN+ with 2" spine split", think closer to 4.0 VG to avoid the dreaded disappointing unboxing.

[@Kirok2005]

Awesome video! I've got a submission in with CGC right now, about a dozen early 80's Marvel and DC books, and they're "a mix." like you warned about. I think all but one are 9.8 candidates, with the Avengers #196 probably topping out at 9.4. I'm hoping that the other books will drag this one upward vs. the opposite.

[@ccsportsfan7886]

Excellent 👍

[@comic-artist2122]

Nice vid still watching and I love it

[@MintHunterComics]

Glad to hear it!

[@coydogf23]

Have a beautiful X-Men 101 with a popped staple that crushes the grade from a 7.5 to a 5.5. Honestly though, I really like it because I paid a sweet discount for a book that displays really well.

[@papasplaceofultimatecoolness]

Good tip on submitting similar books together

[@MintHunterComics]

Glad it was helpful!

[@robertbaker4811]

Couldn't agree more with your take on store stamps. Especially when it comes to golden and silver age books.

[@MintHunterComics]

Agreed - I wish they wouldn't hurt ya for it

[@iancherry746]

I have yet to submit books to cgc but I got to do it for some of my bigger books so this was informative. Super noob question, when you re submit a book after not getting the grade you wanted when it's clear they missed the mark do you have to pay again or does CGC see the flaw of what they did and do it on their dime? Thanks for another great video!

[@MintHunterComics]

You have to get it re-sent in. -they'll stick by their guns forever - no use fighting against the machine. But this time send it in and get it pressed

[@andrewcai5042]

Very interesting to hear about how corner tears and stamps are treated at CGC.

[@MintHunterComics]

Harshly!

[@pauld_77]

Great tips !!! Thank you for the video 👍 I’m definitely going to separate some of books now before submitting . In your opinion do CGC use similar grading ‘standards’ to Overstreet ? I’ve a lower grade Tomb of Dracula 10 with shop stamp and price written on it, the overstreet guide to grading mentions with lower grades that stamps don’t effect grade and are acceptable defects ? Many Thanks 👍

[@MintHunterComics]

Glad it was helpful! yes they do their own take on the overstreet guide. sometimes they are harsher and sometimes they have even been on occasion more lenient!

[@UNCANNYGEORGE]

Have you tried CGC/CCS, pressing service? If so, how was your experience? I’m considering sending some UF4’s and want to get them pressed for the same reasons you mentioned in the video.

[@brandonkief3278]

Great tips! I have only submitted one book to CGC and luckily got a 9.8 signature edition. I do have quite a few books now that I might submit and I will be referring to this video for the tips.

[@MintHunterComics]

That is awesome!

[@DylanMadd]

Was the autograph one that YOU got at a convention? Or did you buy it with a certificate of authenticity? I have several I waited in line to get YEARS ago. Some heavy hitters. But I’m concerned they’d need authentication or risk being hit with lower grades due to writing on the cover… Curious what your experience was.

[@STASHdadtv]

​@DylanMadd if it's not witness by cgc it will always gst a qualified grade. Green label. Inwould keep it raw. Or send it to.csbs. they verify the sig thru a laser and match it up to an archive of sigs

[@welkerkramer123]

Are you from the Dayton area?! I frequent bonnets bookstore lol

[@temecula]

Can you please do a video on gripper holes towards the bottom of the of the pages? I have a ton of comics from late 70s and early 80s, the covers and bindings being near perfect otherwise

[@PopeOfChiliTown]

I came across a book recently missing a top staple .. as in it never had the top staple .. so clearly a manufacturer issue, any thought on that grading?

[@robertzeleznik8124]

This was a great episode.

[@MintHunterComics]

Thanks Robert!

[@furbl4345]

What about comics with extra paper in the corners (manufacturer error), should you leave them or cut them off to make it uniform?

[@juancarlosbarsallo2976]

Great video 👍

[@MintHunterComics]

Thanks for the visit

[@bigjax731]

Good stuff

[@joenuyen6017]

Oh boy James. You know, I normally ship my stuff off and say go with God, but now I’m seriously worried about my last 10 books submission. I mailed out uncanny 266, invincible IM 7, ASM 316&601, Inhumans 5, GL 25, GOTG 1, Batman 423, Eternals 1 and a UF4 2nd print. I hosed myself didn’t I? Time to double up and do another go with God after this one! Did that GL 25 cause of you dude!

[@MintHunterComics]

Nothing wrong with that! I'm sure you'll be fine - I think you'll still get good grades!

[@VinchenzoC]

That similar low grade "infection" is interesting. It's gotta be psychological. Was it the same issue also?

[@owen9768]

Pedigree collections only have 4 specific criteria they must meet, and none of them have anything to do with stamps. Some pedigree collections have been notated by a specific marking left by the owner to signify it is/was there’s, but it’s never been a specific stores stamp to my knowledge. It’s usually a personal/unique marking, such as initials or a symbol. A store stamp SHOULD NOT be the sign of a pedigree. I don’t know why you said that. Stamped books have had many many owners, and pedigrees are proven to be complete collections. Pedigrees are defined: 1. Over 1k total books. 2. The vast majority of the collection must be from Silver Age back. 3. Books must mostly be high grade. 4. Must be single owner. Most Stamped books you find in the wild certainly don’t meet 3 or 4.

[@mikemeros1124]

I have the same problems with coins, especially full steps on Jefferson Nickels. I swear they spin a wheel for grades.

[@ramfree27]

Recap (does not replace actually watching the video) * Store stamps * Tiny missing piece(s) of 1 cm. or more * Staple popped (detached cover at one staple) * Polybag indentation * Mixing high grade in with low grades

[@johnogden1020]

I have a Bloodshot #1(Feb 1993) I am curious about a potential ink misprint variant. The red ink on my chromium cover is not red. Its more of an orange gold. I have looked at other examples of this book, and the red is VERY red. Any help or pointers would be appreciated.

[@batchelor_16]

Hi how are CGC with scratched Acetate covers? where the pages are still are still flawless. Thanks

[@thegilfactortv]

Thanks for Sharing! Creating a system with Ai with more accuracy and less human error might work.

[@nickbillings8668]

Non submitter but fascinating insight. Thanks

[@MintHunterComics]

Thanks!

[@Chaos-chosplay-is-bored-ToRd]

Interesting!

[@MintHunterComics]

Thanks!

[@shannonbuff587]

One of the big ones is large color breaking creases

[@furbl4345]

So leaving any comics brand new factory sealed in a poly bag has no added value at all?

[@MintHunterComics]

It does BUT its also not good for the comic! It's a double-edged sword

[@Vp-jt3vl]

This is really useful dude! I don't think they should dock on the stamp! That sucks, I am one of the very few that like's stamps lol. Keep up the content.

[@MintHunterComics]

I agree!

[@jasoncraft2135]

Seems to me if you like the stamps you should be happy they dock for it atleast when you're buying anyways 😀

[@dadofducks]

Been collecting comics for over 30+ years and I will never send my books to CGC. It's their opinion against yours most of the time and if I ever decide to sell any of my books, then the new owners can send it to them. I've seen incidents where the comic is damaged when the owner opens the case for whatever reason and what if the comic is lost, stolen or damaged in the mail? Then it's too bad, too sad for the original comic owner. Besides, I want to open my books to look at them once in awhile. After all, that's why I buy them for.

[@BeachsideHobbiesClips]

can a good dry cleaner get rid of these stamps?

[@williambaldridge1203]

What is it that keeps a book from being a 10 ? When you submit your books, you seem to acknowledge before sending it in. That 9.8 is all you're gonna get even if it's perfect, so why are there occasionally 10s ? Why are perfect, brand new books, never read. Given 9.8 ? What does it take to get a 10?

[@jerbear_mancave]

thanks bud

[@wellboar]

Staple pop…that’s what I have wrong with my TMNT (mirage) # 1 fifth print. It’s the only thing is see wrong with the book and I swear it was popped when I bought it back in ‘88 or ‘89 I think. The center page tore off the top staple. Thanks for the info!

[@MintHunterComics]

It's very possible it just was always like that! dude I SWEAR it's always that only main thing wrong! ugh

[@bennettbennettsb]

What you said is so true..CGC usually kills me in the grading department.. but when I send out 9.8 I have never ever gone one back without being a 9.8 it's almost like I told them these are 9/8 and that's what they gave me LoL... But any other regular submissions man they kill me...

[@hoardershide]

I think they start with a 9.8 and work down. If they don't find anything to drop the grade, they then look to see if there is anything exceptional about it that warrants it being higher.

[@MintHunterComics]

No they really do have to start with 10 and work down - that's how we rarely rarely rarely (but once in a blue moon) see 9.9's

[@glenalienartist]

@@MintHunterComics I'd love to see a video on your theories as to how a comic possibly achieved a 9.9 grade. Your videos are great, thanks!

[@STASHdadtv]

I did a prescreen for a lower grade hulk. But a pressing first. Wanted a 5. Came with corner chip... didn't know it would have cut it down that much. Should have taken a picture of it pre sent so I can see t least how the pressing went. I heard the pressing isn't that good.

[@daviclar867]

Two grips I've had with CCS/CGC, sent in NTTs #44 to be pressed and it came back 9.6 with the same pressible defect not pressed out. The other book, Amythist Jem World #1 the Kansas City 35¢ variant got a 9.6 because they said the cover was skewed, and they forgot to label it as the variant I mentioned!

[@MintHunterComics]

Hmmm - seems odd they couldn't press it out - sorry to hear that!

[@daviclar867]

@@MintHunterComics some pressable defects need more attention. Like hydration attention. There was no excuse for the other book all around. Looks like you're still in the same place, thought you moved?!

[@endless013]

4:44 Empire Comics was legendary in my city, they've been around since the 70's until things went sideways and they closed

[@MintHunterComics]

That's so sad to hear

[@donomar7070]

If the book has like sweat fingerprints inside like if the glass is pressing on the book I’m supposed to send it back right

[@hieinh]

Is a 2005 comic ok to submit with current ones?