Stick to this guide when your grading collectibles and you'll be on the same page as the serious dealers and collectors.

I also conduct antiques appraisals at http:auctionwally.blogspot.com

• Mint (M): Perfect in every way. (I never list anything in this condition as even brand new copies can have tiny imperfections.)

• Near Mint (NM): Nearly perfect, but upon very close scrutiny, under good lighting, there may be one or two tiny imperfections.
• Very Fine Near Mint (VF/NM): Wonderful and still retains full gloss. Minor defects such as a tiny 1/8 inch corner crease and a few stress lines along the spine, may keep it out of higher grades.
• Very Fine (VF): An excellent copy with exceptional visual appeal. Must be bright and clean. Slight wear begins to show, must have 80% cover gloss, pages can be somewhat yellow or tan but not brown, pages must be supple. One 1/4 inch crease is allowed
• Fine Very Fine (F): Almost VF but without the crispness of a VF copy, can have up to 8 tiny stress lines on the spine, but no spine roll allowed for this or any of the above grades.
• Fine (F): Still an outstanding copy that is above average, clean, glossy and flat.Can have no subscription crease or writing on cover except arrival date. Can have light spine wear, minor surface wear, a light crease 1/4 ", minor yellowing.It is still a bright copy w/ 50% cover gloss.
• Very Good (VG) This accounts for the average used comic book most commonly found. Significant wear is present, original gloss almost gone, some discoloration but not stained.One or two minor marks on the cover are allowed as well as light creases including a subscription crease.
• Good-Very Good (GVG): A well worn comic without the severe wear of the lower grades listed here. A few significant defects such as tape repairs, small tears or long creases are allowed.
• Good (G): A heavily worn comic, but is complete. May be scuffed, creased, have no gloss, and could be soiled. Pages could be white and creamy but an accumulation of defects mentioned would prevent it from being graded higher.
• Fair (F): More worn than good but complete. Not in collectible grade for most, used as a filler until something else comes along.
• Poor (p) Lower than fair and may be incomplete.
• Coverless (c) Almost completely worthless in most situations.

This guide applies to all ages of comics equally, so while an older comic may be very valuable in lower grades, it's not acceptable to be more lenient when grading older books.