9.8 vs other grades 4 4

[xriddx]

I understand the rarity argument, but for collecting why does one go for such high grades? 

 

[Lightning55]

Not everyone does - it's a personal preference thing.

People see the 9.8 copy selling higher and faster, so even though it's for their personal collection, future resale value could be a driver in that purchasing decision. If you can afford the bump, that is🤑.

[theCapraAegagrus]

Isn't 9.8 the most common grade for slabs?

[seanlinc]

What I really don't get is the vast price difference between 9.8s and 9.6s as you could slap a 9.8 on a 9.6 or viceversa and 90% of collectors couldn't tell the difference. 

[NP_Gresham]

I just don’t get why there are reams of copper/modern drek in 9.6

It makes much more sense to send those on a 9.8 screen. A raw NM or better is all the same while a 9.6 in a slab is almost always a losing proposition.

[djpinkpanther67]

On 3/15/2023 at 12:23 PM, NP_Gresham said:

I just don’t get why there are reams of copper/modern drek in 9.6

It makes much more sense to send those on a 9.8 screen. A raw NM or better is all the same while a 9.6 in a slab is almost always a losing proposition.

I used to 9.8 prescreen, but when all of a sudden my percentage of 9.8’s started dropping (severely) in tandem with them increasing the reject fees, I quit doing it. 
 

I now just try to prescreen better. Still hasn’t worked. 

Edited March 17, 2023 by djpinkpanther67
Gramur

[Stefan_W]

9.8 is only a benchmark for newer books. People who collect silvers, for example, are not as obsessed with chasing that type of grade. 

Just as an aside, I have noticed over the past 5-8 years it has become tougher to sell more recent books that are below a 9.8 unless it is something that is really high value. I suspect that as the market is continually adding 9.8 copies of books people do not hold a 9.4 or a 9.6 in the same regard as they used to. Those grades are still gorgeous copies, but they are not the "perfect" copies that a lot of people now hold out for. 

[Dr. Balls]

On 3/14/2023 at 9:08 PM, xriddx said:

I understand the rarity argument, but for collecting why does one go for such high grades? 

 

Depends on what you're collecting, I suppose. I'm perfectly happy with a NM+ raw modern book - there are so many high grade modern raws out there, I just don't feel the need to buy a 9.8 anymore. I'll buy a 9.2 or 9.4 and crack it out and feel just fine about it. I used to aim solely for 9.8s in my moderns, but that has changed over time for me.

When I was into 9.8s, the theory for me was that was the best way to retain it's future value - then again, I was collecting those way before the stimmy money comic book run-up, so the vast multiples from 9.6 to 9.8 wasn't what it is now. Nowadays, I'll probably never bother with another 9.8 again unless it's such a good deal I can't pass it up.

Edited March 15, 2023 by Dr. Balls

[Ken Aldred]

Perfectly happy with a book with nice presentation, regardless of the sticker grade.  Found many in the 9.0-and-up range.

For the OP, though, ultra high grade chasing has a degree of obsessive-compulsive disorder and / or elitism associated with it. Mine, I suppose, is an alternative manifestation of the former;  a focus on a minty-looking appearance from the outside, with what’s viewable through the thick plastic of the slab, and at the lowest grade price.

Edited March 15, 2023 by Ken Aldred

[Brock]

On 3/14/2023 at 11:23 PM, Lightning55 said:

People see the 9.8 copy selling higher and faster, so even though it's for their personal collection, future resale value could be a driver in that purchasing decision.

This is it for me... I buy 9.8s of the specific things I collect, especially with Copper and Modern books. Although the intent of collecting these is not resale, the fact that the 9.8 market commands such premiums generally makes them a good way to preserve my initial investment/outlay.

With lower grades, and especially with Gold, Silver and Bronze books, prices vary much more widely. Because of this, I'll grab things in a range of grades if there's a deal to be had. In this case, volatility can be a good thing. Silver Age keys in 5.5 always seem to be a good bet...

[grendel013]

I always thought the formula was buy the book regardless of grade IF the price is right. From that point on, upgrade when possible so long as that price is fair AND you have an avenue to trade or sell your current copy without losing money reselling.

[Lightning55]

On 3/15/2023 at 5:54 PM, grendel013 said:

I always thought the formula was buy the book regardless of grade IF the price is right. From that point on, upgrade when possible so long as that price is fair AND you have an avenue to trade or sell your current copy without losing money reselling.

On certain runs, I wouldn't want a graded book lower than 9.something. So even a great deal on an 8.0 does not attract me. I don't need to add the work of upgrading. I'll just wait for something that is a better fit.

[s-man]

On 3/15/2023 at 9:12 AM, theCapraAegagrus said:

Isn't 9.8 the most common grade for slabs?

Not in my collection 

[D2]

For resale? Modern and in many cases, Bronze? 
 

9.8

 

Edit: others will dispute it, others will deny, but in dark times, a 9.8 will always sell over its counterparts. 

Edited March 15, 2023 by D2

[valiantman]

Generally speaking, 9.8 is the grade where people can always stop "spending time" looking for a better copy.

Collectors may have a dozen or even a thousand books on their want lists to get a CGC copy into their collections someday. If you buy a CGC 9.2, you're probably thinking that you could upgrade sometime, and you have to keep the book on your want list, even though you've already got a CGC 9.2... the same for 9.4 and 9.6... so the premium that people pay for CGC 9.8 is usually a reflection of the "finality" of getting that book off the want list, and not having to spend more time looking for one.  

Saving time is often more important than saving money... otherwise, we'd all be farming our meals instead of buying groceries and visiting restaurants.

Edited March 16, 2023 by valiantman

[D2]

On 3/16/2023 at 12:47 PM, valiantman said:

Generally speaking, 9.8 is the grade where people can always stop "spending time" looking for a better copy.

the premium that people pay for CGC 9.8 is usually a reflection of the "finality" of getting that book off the want list, and not having to spend more time looking for one.  

 

This is very true, from a collector mentality, this hits the note. 
 

I would like to know, volatility rates of grades, and which grades seem most stable and predictable. 

All grades go up and go down, some spike etc, but from an ROI perspective, which seem to be the safest. 

[valiantman]

On 3/16/2023 at 11:59 AM, D2 said:

This is very true, from a collector mentality, this hits the note. 
 

I would like to know, volatility rates of grades, and which grades seem most stable and predictable. 

All grades go up and go down, some spike etc, but from an ROI perspective, which seem to be the safest. 

From March 2022 (about a year old now)...

https://comics.gpanalysis.com/news/2021/investing-in-cgc-grade-comics-is-higher-grade-better

(clipping from the article)

An investment of $679 in 2005 could have purchased one copy of CGC 9.8 Amazing Spider-Man #300, while an investment of $675 could have purchased 13 copies of CGC 8.5 Amazing Spider-Man #300. The average prices paid in 2021 would have the CGC 9.8 investment (one copy) valued at $6,116 and the CGC 8.5 investment (13 copies) valued at $9,321. If it had been possible to purchase 25 copies of CGC 7.0 Amazing Spider-Man #300 for an average of $27 each, the returns would have been even higher.

An additional consideration is that owning a single copy of CGC 9.8 Amazing Spider-Man #300 could only be “cashed out” by selling the book and no longer having the book in the collection, while owning 13 copies of CGC 8.5 Amazing Spider-Man #300 could be “cashed out” by selling one, two, or even twelve copies of the book, while retaining a copy within the collection.

Edited March 16, 2023 by valiantman

[xriddx]

On 3/15/2023 at 8:27 AM, seanlinc said:

What I really don't get is the vast price difference between 9.8s and 9.6s as you could slap a 9.8 on a 9.6 or viceversa and 90% of collectors couldn't tell the difference. 

This 

This was my point. I see even bigger difference between a 9.0 to a 9.8.  It's like it goes up exponentially (like a bubble ) in value from a 9.0 price to a 9.8 price.  And if you think about it the differences aren't that big.  It's just a few spine tics, maybe a small corner ding etc.

For instance on one comic I'm looking at the price of a sold 9.8 (during the 2022 mania peak) it shows as $50k price.  Then you see 9.0s going for about $5k during that time.  This is a price difference of 10 times for some slight variations of issues with the books condition.

I dont understand the big difference, even when you take into 'account scarcity' due to census count of the 9.8 vs 9.0 in this case was only hundreds of census differences.  Also census counts aren't exact as there might be people holding comics that aren't graded...

[xriddx]

On 3/15/2023 at 10:42 AM, Dr. Balls said:

Depends on what you're collecting, I suppose. I'm perfectly happy with a NM+ raw modern book - there are so many high grade modern raws out there, I just don't feel the need to buy a 9.8 anymore. I'll buy a 9.2 or 9.4 and crack it out and feel just fine about it. I used to aim solely for 9.8s in my moderns, but that has changed over time for me.

When I was into 9.8s, the theory for me was that was the best way to retain it's future value - then again, I was collecting those way before the stimmy money comic book run-up, so the vast multiples from 9.6 to 9.8 wasn't what it is now. Nowadays, I'll probably never bother with another 9.8 again unless it's such a good deal I can't pass it up.

Wow i'm surprised by how great all the responses are.  Glad to see some vets sharing wisdom here and a lot of these things have been bouncing around in my head.  All responses were really good and helped give perspectives from different sides (as everyone has different backgrounds goals etc no doubt)

I'm personally satisfied with presentation 9-9.6 for me is fine.  And I see how many are mentioning depends on the era (bronze 3.0 obv different desirability from a golden age 3.0)

I'm definitely leaning towards 9-9.6 for newer era books as long as they present well.  As this means I can 'accumulate' more in my collection.  

 

On 3/15/2023 at 10:41 AM, Stefan_W said:

9.8 is only a benchmark for newer books. People who collect silvers, for example, are not as obsessed with chasing that type of grade. 

Just as an aside, I have noticed over the past 5-8 years it has become tougher to sell more recent books that are below a 9.8 unless it is something that is really high value. I suspect that as the market is continually adding 9.8 copies of books people do not hold a 9.4 or a 9.6 in the same regard as they used to. Those grades are still gorgeous copies, but they are not the "perfect" copies that a lot of people now hold out for. 

I get it yeah makes sense for newer books.  And thanks for using the word "perfect" which I could see people valuing

On 3/16/2023 at 9:47 AM, valiantman said:

Generally speaking, 9.8 is the grade where people can always stop "spending time" looking for a better copy.

Collectors may have a dozen or even a thousand books on their want lists to get a CGC copy into their collections someday. If you buy a CGC 9.2, you're probably thinking that you could upgrade sometime, and you have to keep the book on your want list, even though you've already got a CGC 9.2... the same for 9.4 and 9.6... so the premium that people pay for CGC 9.8 is usually a reflection of the "finality" of getting that book off the want list, and not having to spend more time looking for one.  

Saving time is often more important than saving money... otherwise, we'd all be farming our meals instead of buying groceries and visiting restaurants.

Got it.  Yeah I suppose it depends how obsessed one is with that 'higher' grade copy.  Then bringing in saving money vs TIME.  Totally makes sense if youre seeking that 'finality' got it thanks man.  Then here's that 'scarcity' element if you've found the 'grail' in that comic then you're 'finally' done.  

I guess for me I'd rather just have MORE comics than have 'LESS' 9.8s.

But I'm understanding that some people really just value these and drive the price up of those limited 9.8s

thanks everyone for taking the time above. This forum board is priceless as I really don't have any friends who are obsessed w comics like me

Edited March 16, 2023 by xriddx

[lostboys]

I love 9.6s that have zero visible flaws.

I had great success finding them in 2019 / 2020.

I put together a gorgeous Walking Dead run of issues 1 - 10 & 19... most in 9.6 / 9.8 and they all look flawless to the naked eye.

The past few years, not so much.

In fact, Im finding it hard to even find a 9.8 without flaws these days.

I tried buying older slabs but many of the books in the old slabs have SCS.