If I had it, would I spend it?

I never saved. I just spent, no second thoughts, just charge it and I?d pay for it later. Later never came. I went through some hard financial times and I?m glad I did because if I didn?t learn that lesson then I think I?d be learning it now.

PedigreeComics.Com recently has an auction with a comic I wanted. I decided on my limit and stuck with it. The book in question was a signed copy of New Mutants #98 by Rob Liefeld graded by CGC in a 9.9. The book sold for $6,601.

The issue was released in 1991, only a year older than my son. Being a 9.9 (the book, as far as I am concerned my son is a ten) is rare, but being a 9.9 Signature Series makes it even rarer. Is there a possibility that another one will manifest? I believe so, but you have to have ?Longshot?s? luck to be able to come across a gem like that.

My question is with a 9.8 (as of this writing 593 copies, 36 of which are signed) fetching between two and three hundred dollars (unsigned), is a SS 9.9 (as of this writing 3 copies, 1 of which is signed) worth what was spent or am I just questioning the value because I can?t afford it, and to go further in thought what would it have sold for if this signed copy was graded a perfect 10.

When I purchase raw books (back issues anyway, I am getting sick of paying $3.99 a book) if the price does not match what I want to pay I pass on it. Third party graded books eases that tension, because let?s face it, no one would dare spend that much ($6,601) on that book (New Mutants #98) if it was bagged and boarded with a sticker saying it was a 9.9.

I was honestly willing to pay $1000 (which was the opening bid). If I had the money I probably would have topped at $1500. And if I had the $6601 I would have bought the best possible ungraded copies of Daredevil #1 and #7 I could find, send it in to CGC to get graded, and still have money left over.

Thanks for Reading

Tnerb