PICTO GRADING STANDARDS
picto grading standards
grading matters. it's the difference between a fair deal and a bad one, and we take it seriously. we follow overstreet standards across the board, and between the TEAM, we've got over 40 years of experience handling books. every comic that comes through here gets graded with care — no shortcuts, no guesswork.
we grade all our raw books in-house and we guarantee no restoration, no missing pages, and no undisclosed issues unless otherwise noted in the listing. if we know about it, you'll know about it. that's the deal.
now, we know some collectors prefer the third-party route for slabbing and certification, and we get it — cgc, cbcs, pgx all have their place. we do our best to stay consistent with industry standards, but we're not going to promise our grades will line up perfectly with theirs every time. if official certification is what you're after, we'd always recommend submitting directly.
that said — if you're ever not happy with how we graded a raw book, just reach out. full refund, no hassle. simple as that.
why it matters
grading isn't just a number on a listing. it's how collectors know what they're getting, how books hold their value, and how trust gets built between a shop and the people buying from it. we treat every book like it matters, because to somebody out there, it does. whether you're filling runs or chasing keys, you can count on us to get it right.
10.0 — gem mint (GM) the holy grail. absolutely flawless. corners are razor sharp, colors are electric, spine is perfect. only the tiniest printing imperfections are even in the conversation here. paper's still white and crisp like it just came off the press. if you find one of these, hold onto it.
9.9 — mint (MT) about as close to perfect as it gets. maybe a microscopic printing flaw if you really go looking, but bright reflective inks and flawless corners make this one nearly impossible to fault. a serious book for serious collectors.
9.8 — near mint/mint (NM/MT) just a hair shy of perfection. minor printing flaws keep it from the top, but the colors pop, the corners are sharp, and the eye appeal is outstanding. most collectors would be thrilled to pull this grade.
9.6 — near mint+ (NM+) a beautiful copy. clean staples, bright inks, flawless spine — the little things that separate this from a standard near mint are all working in its favor. a book you'd be proud to have at the front of the box.
9.4 — near mint (NM) the sweet spot for a lot of collectors. minimal flaws, vibrant colors, tight spine, sharp corners. high grade without the premium-tier price tag. hard to beat for quality and value.
9.2 — near mint- (NM-) still a great looking book with only faint signs of handling. fresh, bright, and well above average. you'd have to look close to find anything wrong with it.
9.0 — very fine/near mint (VF/NM) a really clean copy. maybe a slight bend or a faint stress line here or there, but overall it presents beautifully. still turns heads.
8.5 — very fine+ (VF+) sharp inks, strong structure, and whatever flaws exist are barely worth mentioning. a notch above vf with just enough extra going for it.
8.0 — very fine (VF) excellent shape with just a hint of wear. maybe slight corner blunting or a subtle stress line, but it still looks great on the shelf and holds solid value.
7.5 — very fine- (VF-) a solid collector's copy. minor defects pull it just below vf, but it's still a good looking book with plenty of life left in it.
7.0 — fine/very fine (FN/VF) above average all around. some minor wear showing, but the colors are still strong and the structure holds up. a great balance between grade and price.
6.5 — fine+ (FN+) a clean copy with a little something extra pushing it above fine. still sharp where it counts.
6.0 — fine (FN) a well-preserved book that's clearly been around. blunted corners and minor wear are part of the deal, but it still looks good and holds its value.
5.5 — fine- (FN-) some small creases or light color breaks starting to show, but still an above-average copy. nothing that takes away from the read.
5.0 — very good/fine (VG/FN) this one's been read and enjoyed. might have light creases, minor stains, or a small spine split, but it's still a solid collectible with good color and structure.
4.5 — very good+ (VG+) moderate wear with some things still working in its favor. an attractive copy for the grade.
4.0 — very good (VG) shows its age and its use, but that's not a bad thing. a great option if you're collecting on a budget or just want a nice readable copy.
3.5 — very good- (VG-) creases, some discoloration, clear signs of a life well lived. still reads great and still belongs in a collection.
3.0 — good/very good (GD/VG) significant wear, but the story and art are all there. a perfect candidate for readers, fillers, or restoration projects.
2.5 — good+ (GD+) budget-friendly and full of character. the wear tells a story of its own. a solid pickup for collectors who care more about the book than the grade.
2.0 — good (GD) a true reader copy. heavy wear, maybe a detached cover, definitely showing its years. but the book's still here and that counts for something.
1.8 — good- (GD-) still readable, but the wear is hard to ignore. value's more in the content than the condition at this point.
1.5 — fair/good (FR/GD) beat up, scuffed, and well worn — but the story survives. collectors might want it for the rarity or as a restoration starting point.
1.0 — fair (FR) heavy wear, real defects, but all pages present. often the beginning of a restoration journey. sometimes the only copy you'll find.
0.5 — poor (PR) rough shape — missing pages or covers possible. but even here, there's value. parts, restoration, or just owning a piece of history.
coverless no cover, no problem. coverless copies of key issues are still worth having. whether it's for restoration, research, or just an affordable way to hold a piece of comic history in your hands — these books still matter.
PICTO GRADING
SCALE
(MODELED ON THE OVERSTREET GRADING STANDARDS)