Book Condition Guide
Comic & Book Condition Guide: Mint, Near Mint, Very Fine and More
How Siomic Comics grades the condition of every book listed on our website, from 10.0 Gem Mint to 0.5 Poor.
Please read the below information regarding the principles used when cataloguing the condition of the books listed on our website.
- Our shop does its utmost to ensure that the goods listed follow a thorough assessment carried out internally, prior to being offered to our clients.
- The below guide should help our clients familiarise themselves with the nomenclature used.
- Please review the item images offered for a close-up view of its current condition.
Comic & book condition rating scale
| Rating | Condition Acronym | Condition Descriptor |
|---|---|---|
| 10.0 Gem Mint | GM | A brand-new, unused, unopened, unworn, undamaged item. |
| 9.9 Mint | M | A brand-new, unused, unopened, unworn, undamaged item. |
| 9.8 Near Mint/Mint | NM/M | A brand-new, unused, unopened, unworn, undamaged item. |
| 9.6 Near Mint+ | NM+ | An almost brand-new item. Barely ever been used, opened once at most, unworn, undamaged item. |
| 9.4 Near Mint | NM | An almost brand-new item. Barely ever been used, opened once at most, unworn, undamaged item. |
| 9.2 Near Mint- | NM- | An item that looks as if it was just taken out of shrink wrap. No visible wear, and all facets of the item are flawless and intact. |
| 9.0 Very Fine/Near Mint | VF/NM | An item that looks as if it was just taken out of shrink wrap. No visible wear, and all facets of the item are flawless and intact. |
| 8.5 Very Fine+ | VF+ | An item that is used but still in very good condition. May have some wear and tear marks. |
| 8.0 Very Fine | VF | An item that is used but still in very good condition. May have some wear and tear marks. |
| 7.5 Very Fine- | VF- | An item that is used but still in very good condition. May have some wear and tear marks. |
| 7.0 Fine/Very Fine | F/VF | An item that is used but still in very good condition. May have some wear and tear marks. |
| 6.5 Fine+ | F+ | An item that is used but still in very good condition. May have some wear and tear marks. |
| 6.0 Fine | F | An item that is used but still in very good condition. May have some wear and tear marks. |
| 5.5 Fine- | F- | An item in used but good condition. Some wear and tear marks including scratches, breaks, written marks. Pages have minimal damage or markings, or decoloration over time. |
| 5.0 Very Good/Fine | VG/F | An item in used but good condition. Some wear and tear marks including scratches, breaks, written marks. Pages have minimal damage or markings, or decoloration over time. |
| 4.5 Very Good+ | VG+ | An item in used but good condition. Some wear and tear marks including scratches, breaks, written marks. Pages have minimal damage or markings, or decoloration over time. |
| 4.0 Very Good | VG | An item in used but good condition. Some wear and tear marks including scratches, breaks, written marks. Pages have minimal damage or markings, or decoloration over time. |
| 3.5 Very Good- | VG- | An item in used but good condition. Some wear and tear marks including scratches, breaks, written marks. Pages have minimal damage or markings, or decoloration over time. |
| 3.0 Good/Very Good | G/VG | An item in used but good condition. Some wear and tear marks including scratches, breaks, written marks. Pages have minimal damage or markings, or decoloration over time. |
| 2.5 Good+ | G+ | An item with obvious or significant wear, but still operational. The item may have some damage to the cover and or inside, but the integrity is still intact. Possible writing in margins, scratches, page damages or markings etc... |
| 2.0 Good | G | An item with obvious or significant wear, but still operational. The item may have some damage to the cover and or inside, but the integrity is still intact. Possible writing in margins, scratches, page damages or markings etc... |
| 1.8 Good- | G- | An item with obvious or significant wear, but still operational. The item may have some damage to the cover and or inside, but the integrity is still intact. Possible writing in margins, scratches, page damages or markings etc... |
| 1.5 Fair/Good | FR/G | An item with obvious or significant wear, but still operational. The item may have some damage to the cover and or inside, but the integrity is still intact. Possible writing in margins, scratches, page damages or markings etc... |
| 1.0 Fair | FR | An item with obvious or significant wear, but still operational. The item may have some damage to the cover and or inside, but the integrity is still intact. Possible writing in margins, scratches, page damages or markings etc... |
| 0.5 Poor | P | An item with obvious or significant wear, but still operational. The item may have some damage to the cover and or inside, but the integrity is still intact. Possible writing in margins, scratches, page damages or markings etc... |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Mint (M) mean?
A brand-new, unused, unopened, unworn, undamaged item. Gem Mint (10.0), Mint (9.9) and Near Mint/Mint (9.8) all carry this description.
What does Near Mint (NM) mean?
An almost brand-new item, barely ever used, opened once at most, unworn and undamaged. Near Mint+ (9.6) and Near Mint (9.4) share this description.
What does Very Fine (VF) mean?
An item that is used but still in very good condition, which may have some wear and tear marks. This covers grades from 8.5 Very Fine+ down to 6.0 Fine.
What does Good (G) mean?
An item with obvious or significant wear but still operational. It may have some damage to the cover or inside, but its integrity is intact.
How can I check an item's condition before buying?
Review the item images on each product page for a close-up view of its current condition.