If you’ve shopped CGC graded comics for any length of time, you’ve stared at a CGC label with at least one question. What does the color mean? What’s that number under the grade? What’s a 9.8 with a green qualifier? Here’s a working collector’s guide to reading every element on a CGC label, so you know exactly what you’re buying before you click.
The Big Number: Your Grade
The most prominent number on the label is the grade itself, on a 10-point scale from 0.5 to 10.0. The 9.8 is “Near Mint/Mint” — essentially as-new condition with only the most minor of imperfections. The 10.0 is “Gem Mint” and is exceedingly rare. Below the number is the grade abbreviation (NM/MT, NM+, NM, VF/NM, VF, FN, etc.) and a brief condition descriptor.
The Label Color: Tells You What Type of Slab You’re Buying
- Blue (Universal): Standard graded copy. The book has been authenticated, graded, and encapsulated with no qualifications. This is what most graded comics look like.
- Yellow (Signature Series): The book has a witnessed signature from CGC’s signature program. The signature is permanently authenticated as part of the grade.
- Green (Qualified): The book has a defect that would normally lower the grade significantly, but the customer requested it be noted as a qualifier instead. Common qualifiers: missing centerfold, married pages, signature without witnessed authentication.
- Purple (Restored): The book has been professionally restored. The restoration is detailed on the label. Restored books are worth significantly less than unrestored equivalents at the same apparent grade.
- Red (Mature): The book contains mature/adult content. Same grading rigor, just flagged for content.
- Black (Conserved): The book has been professionally conserved (cleaning and pressing without alteration). Conservation is less impactful to value than restoration.
The Certification Number: Your Verification Tool
Every CGC slab has a unique 10-digit certification number printed on the label. This is the single most important authentication tool you have. Take that number, plug it into the CGC public registry on cgcomics.com, and you’ll see the exact grade, the exact issue, the exact submission date, and the registration history. If a slab in front of you doesn’t match its registry entry, you’re looking at a counterfeit or modified slab.
Issue, Publisher, and Date
The label includes the comic title, issue number, publisher, and original publication date. For older books, this is critical for distinguishing first printings from reprints. Pay attention to the cover date listed on the label vs the indicia date in the actual comic — for some bronze and silver age books, the difference identifies a true first printing vs a later print run.
Page Quality (PQ)
Below the grade, CGC notes the page quality on a separate scale: White, Off-White to White, Off-White, Cream to Off-White, Cream, Light Tan, Tan, Light Brown, Brown. White pages indicate excellent preservation and add value. Brown pages mean the book has been exposed to acidic conditions and is degrading — this can affect long-term value.
Notes and Qualifiers
CGC may add notes about specific conditions: “1st appearance of [character]”, “Origin issue”, “variant cover”, “newsstand edition”, “direct edition”, etc. These notes are part of how the slab is identified in the CGC census and how collectors search for specific copies.
Signature Series Details
If the label is yellow (Signature Series), it lists the signer, the signing date, and the location. CGC witnessed each signature in person before encapsulation, which is what gives Signature Series slabs their authentication weight. Without witnessed signing, even an authentic autograph generally results in a green qualified label rather than yellow.
Quick Authentication Workflow
When you’re holding (or looking at a photo of) a CGC slab and want to verify it’s legitimate:
- Read the certification number (10 digits, printed on the label).
- Open the CGC certification verification tool (cgcomics.com).
- Enter the number. The book details should match what you’re looking at — same title, issue, grade, label color.
- If anything doesn’t match, walk away. If everything matches, you’re holding a verified slab.
We verify every CGC slab in our inventory through this exact process before listing. For our current selection of authenticated graded comics, browse our graded comics page. New CGC and CBCS slabs added every Friday.
For more on choosing between CGC and CBCS as a buyer, see our guide to CGC vs CBCS in 2026.