ninanina

If all there is, is a tick as you say...9.6

Good point. It got downgraded because of the creases. If it's got a crease, it can't be a 9.4...the two don't belong together. Also, if you want to expect a 9.8..it's gotta' be perfect. No flaws of any kind....well maybe one...but that's all. I'm thinking the biggest issue with expecting 9.8's are the flaws you don't see.

4.5 if you get the spine roll flattened

9.6..almost perfect

Okay, I was bound and determined to go in at 4.0...not matter what...so, 4.0.

3.0.

I agree...solid 8.0.

I think one spine tick and maybe one or two only other minor flaws that I can't see = 9.6.

I think you could squeeze a 9.4 out of this one. There's just not a lot wrong with it.

Never Mind.

Here's one I don't believe has been mentioned. Mine's got a tick on the spine...but I'll settle for a 9.6 anytime. . (1999) INHUMANS VOL 2 #5 1st Yelena Belova The New BLACK WIDOW! CGC 9.8 WP! | eBay

Has all the markings of a 4.0

Okay, I'll open it up at 8.0. However, I have no idea how the stain on the back would effect this. Stains aren't allowed in 8.0's, but it is on the back cover. 8.5 without the stain?

When you're diving, you need to look for an accumulation of defects. I start at the spine...if there are NO ticks...you might have a 9.8 but IMO finding one in a dollar bin is next to impossible. Then, look at the corners....if there are defects on one...it's probably not a 9.8...but you might have a 9.6 if the defect in the corner is minor. If there are one or two ticks on the spine. it's probably no better than a 9.4...as long as there are no more than maybe a couple more minor defects. If there are, you may already be down to a 9.0. (Yeah, anything between 9.0 and 9.4 is kind of like a grey area for me. Remember, its always an accumulation of defects. Although the corners are nice and the gloss is there from what I can see there is an accumulation of ticks...not one or two, and that's enough to knock it down. IMO this is no better than a 7.0/7.5 at best...but again, just an opinion and a generalization....maybe just enough to help you make an informed decision on whether or not to pull the trigger on what you think is a good one. One final thing. It's quite possible there may always be some defects you either don't notice or you don't see. I still have that problem and that's why I can't win or even come close to winning these grading contests...but wow, you learn a lot. If they do have another coming up, make sure you take part. To me, the hardest part about grading is you don't have anyone experienced around you to let you know whether or not you nailed it. You can learn from your mistakes, but...you need to know you were wrong. If not, you'll just keep making the same mistakes and keep sending in those books you buy to get an opinion. There is so much knowledge in this forum from a lot of guys that really know what they're doing and yeah, I do know a lot about the hobby, but I'm still learning.. Just my 2 cents. I don't know, what may have happened with this one. You noticed the spine ticks and thought wow, only one defect...it's gotta' be a good one. Try and look at (if you aren't already) as each tick being a separate defect. Hoping you can understand why it's the accumulation of defects that brings the grade down. Hoping that helps. Overstreet comic book grading guide would help...a lot.

That actually sent a shiver up my spine.

Slight Foxing is allowed in a 9.4

Okay, now I'm hoping the 8.5 I bought from Doug Sulipa a few years ago was under-graded. That is amazing.

Ya' know...you kinda' sounded just like Vader there...wondering if it was intentional?

I often thought about that, there being more copies of Silver Age out there than Golden Age. Now, people don't care. They want it, they'll buy it. If they don't, someone else will. To that extent, the mind set now is different. The number of copies out there doesn't affect the price. What does is the desire to own it.

I purchased a restored FF 1 several years ago when one could be had for $1800.00. Insofar as investment potential goes, it's going to cost someone in and around $11,000.00 to $12000.00 to get it now; based on what I see these sell for an e-bay. Even though they are restored, they do go up with the rest of them. I'm okay with it, because it looks nicer. I'm thinking people will come around.

The last 8.5 sold for $4000.00 on ebay. That's quite a jump.

Just my 2 cents but I've always believed best time to grade them is when you want to sell. If not, I kind of like the recommendation in the previous post.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/233896505464?hash=item3675517078:g:kAcAAOSwvuhgKY6l However, if this one goes???

https://www.ebay.com/itm/284007311096?hash=item422027a6f8:g:mloAAOSwHQVfVyHK ...not quite.

A CGC 9.2 just went for $18,500.00 which I believe (not 100% sure) is a new high for that grade?