Daredevil 136 joins the four-figure club

The October ComicLink auction featured some exceptionally nice 30 cent variants.  The highlight of the auction was the single highest graded Daredevil 136 which bought $1227 after spirited bidding (35 bids). 

This was the finest grouping of 30 cent variants to come up in  a long time.  I think the auction was kind of hit and miss in regards to pricing as some of the books, like the spidey variants, went for bargain prices, while others did very well.  The auction was competing with the World Series and football.  Here are the other variant highlights.

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #155 CGC 9.6 NM+ $276
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #155 CGC 9.4 NM $127
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #156 CGC 9.0 VFNM $165
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #157 CGC 9.4 NM $151
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #158 CGC 9.2 NM- $155
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #159 CGC 9.2 NM- $114
AVENGERS #148 CGC 9.0 VFNM $55
AVENGERS #149 CGC 8.5 VF+ $45
CAPTAIN AMERICA #196 CGC 7.5 VF- $16
DAREDEVIL #132 CGC 9.2 NM- $250
DAREDEVIL #134 CGC 9.4 NM $380
ETERNALS #2 CGC 9.4 NM $75
FANTASTIC FOUR #169 CGC 9.2 NM- $95
HOWARD THE DUCK #4 CGC 9.6 NM+ $284
INHUMANS #4 CGC 9.4 NM $236
INHUMANS #4 CGC 9.2 NM- $55
INHUMANS #6 CGC 9.2 NM- $60
INVADERS #1 CGC 9.8 NM/MT $414
INVADERS #7 CGC 9.0 VFNM $121
IRON FIST #6 CGC 9.4 NM $165
MARVEL SPOTLIGHT #28 CGC 9.6 NM+ $262
MARVEL SPOTLIGHT #29 CGC 9.8 NM/MT $311
MARVEL TEAM-UP #46 CGC 9.2 NM- $65
MARVEL TEAM-UP #47 CGC 9.6 NM+ $170
MARVEL TEAM-UP #48 CGC 9.6 NM+ $197
MARVEL TWO-IN-ONE #15 CGC 9.2 NM- $50
MARVEL TWO-IN-ONE #16 CGC 9.2 NM- $58
MARVEL TWO-IN-ONE #17 CGC 9.0 VFNM $60
STRANGE TALES #185 CGC 8.0 VF $72
STRANGE TALES #186 CGC 9.0 VFNM $110
SUPER-VILLAIN TEAM-UP #7 CGC 9.8 NM/MT $504
WEREWOLF BY NIGHT #39 CGC 9.2 NM- $132

Another Iron Fist 14 35-Cent variant sale of note.

CGC boardie Keldog sent me a note about a recent sale of a nice Iron Fist 14 35-cent variant on ComicConnect.  This book sold for $2850 after receiving 13 bids. 

Highest Graded X-Men 99 30 Cent Price Variant brings Record Price

This exceptional copy of X-Men 99 brought an issue-record price of $2211 in the July 2011 ComicLink auction.  The 30 cent price variant issue is of X-Men 99 is rare enough but ultra-high-grade copies of X-Men 99 are impossible because of the total black cover.  This issue is as nice as they come and is currently tied with two others as highest certified, although it is hard to imagine that this variant issue comes any nicer than this one. 

As a comparison, in the same ComicLink auction, a CGC 9.4 regular edition sold for $180 with is right at the GPA average.  A 9.8 regular edition sold for $1600 which will give you an idea of the interest in this issue.

Here is the ComicLink auction description.


X-MEN #99 - The Auction Has Ended

Item description:
1976, 1st Black Tom. Sentinels cover
Publisher: Marvel
Condition: CGC 9.4 NM
Page Quality: White Pages
Type of Holder: Universal
Degree Of Restoration: Unrestored
Census Rank: Highest CGC Graded!
Pedigree or Highlight: PRICE VARIANT
Current Bid: $2,211
Number Of Bids: 32
Final Bid: $2,211
End Date: 7/28/2011 11:04:40 PM

ComicLink Comments:
This CGC solid Near Mint CGC 9.4 PRICE VARIANT is the highest graded, and is 1 of only 3 that CGC has ever certified at this top tier. Additionally, CGC has assigned its perfect page quality designation of White Pages, making this Price Variant the very finest example obtainable for this issue.  

For the three X-Men 30 cent price variants, the highest grades are
    Issue 98 9.6  (two copies)
    Issue 99 9.4  (three copies)
    Issue 100 9.6  (two copies).

I figure that the cost today if you could purchase the highest copy of each issue is around $10,000 for the set.  It is only speculation, as the auction that contained all three of those books is gonna be a long time coming.

Finding a Needle in a Haystack Marvel Price Variant Style

Even though the Marvel Price Variants are very sought after, and even though they always bring strong prices, there are still unknowledgeable sellers out there, particularly on ebay who don't know what they have when they list something for sale.

Here is a case in point.  The Marvel Reprint Titles like Marvel Tales and Marvel Super-Heroes are some of the toughest to find.  Low sales and collector interest whene they were released led to very few being saved.  Even today they are many more Incredible Hulk series collectors than there are for the Marvel Super-Heroes title which reprinted the Hulk stories.  But two of the issues were issued as 35 cent price variant issues and are among the toughest to find.  Recently an ebay seller listed this book correctly as Marvel Super-Heroes 65 but forgot or didn't know to mention that book was a 35 cent price variant.  It was found by the best ebay variant hunter in the business and purchased for $8.  After he received the book from the seller, he immediately relisted the book correctly on ebay and it brought $91 at auction.  Yes, $91 for a book in Good condition.

The moral of the story?  Sometimes if you look hard enough, you can find the needle in the haystack.

Notable sales for CGC graded books in June 2011

GPA reports the sale of several significant Marvel Price Variants in 2010.  Price variant collector 4gemworks listed several of his graded undercopies on ebay which released a large number of nice copies on the market for the first time in years.

Among the highlights
X-Men, The (1963-1981) No.99 (9.0) $511
Defenders, The (1972-1986) No.38 (9.2) $150
Amazing Spider-Man, The (1963) No.157 (9.0) $101
Weird Wonder Tales (1973-1977) No.17 (7.0) $80
X-Men, The (1963-1981) No.107 (6.5) $180

List of Highest Graded CGC 35 cent price variants.

Here is the list of highest graded 35 cent price variants.  The bolded blue books are the books that have been graded in CGC 9.8.  The bolded red books are the books that have not been graded higher than NM-.  How difficult are these to find?  The red tells the tale.


2001: A Space Odyssey 7 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.8
2001: A Space Odyssey 8 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
2001: A Space Odyssey 9 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
2001: A Space Odyssey 10 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
Amazing Spider-Man 169 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
Amazing Spider-Man 170 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.2
Amazing Spider-Man 171 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Amazing Spider-Man 172 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.0
Amazing Spider-Man 173 35 Cent Price Variant - 8.5
Avengers 160 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
Avengers 161 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Avengers 162 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.8
Avengers 163 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.8
Avengers 164 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
Black Panther 4 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.0
Black Panther 5 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.8
Captain America 210 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
Captain America 211 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Captain America 212 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Captain America 212 Blank Bar 35 Cent Price Variant - 8.5
Captain America 213 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Captain America 214 35 Cent Price Variant - 8.5
Captain Marvel 51 35 Cent Price Variant - 7.5
Captain Marvel 52 35 Cent Price Variant - 8.5
Champions 14 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
Champions 15 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.2
Conan the Barbarian 75 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Conan the Barbarian 76 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
Conan the Barbarian 77 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.2
Conan the Barbarian 78 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.2
Conan the Barbarian 79 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Daredevil 146 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Daredevil 147 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Daredevil 148 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.2
Defenders 48 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Defenders 49 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.2
Defenders 50 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
Defenders 51 35 Cent Price Variant - 8.5
Defenders 52 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
Doctor Strange 23 35 Cent Price Variant - 8.5
Doctor Strange 24 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.0
Doctor Strange 25 35 Cent Price Variant - 7.0
Eternals 12 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Eternals 13 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Eternals 14 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
Eternals 15 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Eternals 16 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Fantastic Four 183 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Fantastic Four 184 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
Fantastic Four 185 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Fantastic Four 186 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
Fantastic Four 187 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.0
Flintstones 1 35 Cent Price Variant - 7.5
Ghost Rider 24 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
Ghost Rider 25 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Ghost Rider 26 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Godzilla 1 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Godzilla 2 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Godzilla 3 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.0
Howard the Duck 13 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
Howard the Duck 14 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.2
Howard the Duck 15 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
Howard the Duck 16 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Howard the Duck 17 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
Human Fly 1 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.2
Human Fly 2 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.0
Incredible Hulk 212 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.2
Incredible Hulk 213 35 Cent Price Variant - 7.5
Incredible Hulk 214 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Incredible Hulk 215 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
Incredible Hulk 216 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.2
Inhumans 11 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Inhumans 12 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.2
Invaders 17 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Invaders 18 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.8
Invaders 19 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
Invaders 20 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
Invaders 21 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
Iron Fist 13 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
Iron Fist 14 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
Iron Fist 15 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
Iron Man 99 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Iron Man 100 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.2
Iron Man 101 35 Cent Price Variant - 7.5
Iron Man 102 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Iron Man 103 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.2
John Carter, Warlord of Mars 1 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
John Carter, Warlord of Mars 2 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
John Carter, Warlord of Mars 3 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.2
John Carter, Warlord of Mars 4 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
John Carter, Warlord of Mars 5 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
Kid Colt Outlaw 218 35 Cent Price Variant - NONE GRADED
Kid Colt Outlaw 219 35 Cent Price Variant - 8.0
Kid Colt Outlaw 220 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.0
Kull, the Destroyer 21 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.8
Kull, the Destroyer 22 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
Kull, the Destroyer 23 35 Cent Price Variant - 8.5
Logan's Run 6 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
Logan's Run 7 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Marvel Premiere 36 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.2
Marvel Premiere 37 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
Marvel Premiere 38 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
Marvel Presents 11 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
Marvel Presents 12 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.2
Marvel Super Action 2 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.0
Marvel Super Action 3 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
Marvel Super-Heroes 65 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.0
Marvel Super-Heroes 66 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.2
Marvel Tales 80 35 Cent Price Variant - 8.5
Marvel Tales 81 35 Cent Price Variant - 8.0
Marvel Tales 82 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.0
Marvel Tales 83 35 Cent Price Variant - 6.0
Marvel Tales 84 35 Cent Price Variant - 5.5
Marvel Team-Up 58 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.2
Marvel Team-Up 59 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.0
Marvel Team-Up 60 35 Cent Price Variant - 8.5
Marvel Team-Up 61 35 Cent Price Variant - 8.5
Marvel Team-Up 62 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Marvel Triple Action 36 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.2
Marvel Triple Action 37 35 Cent Price Variant - 8.5
Marvel Two-In-One 28 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Marvel Two-In-One 29 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
Marvel Two-In-One 30 35 Cent Price Variant - 8.5
Marvel Two-In-One 31 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
Marvel Two-In-One 32 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.2
Marvel's Greatest Comics 71 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.2
Marvel's Greatest Comics 72 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.2
Marvel's Greatest Comics 73 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.2
Master of Kung Fu 53 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
Master of Kung Fu 54 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
Master of Kung Fu 55 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.2
Master of Kung Fu 56 35 Cent Price Variant - 8.5
Master of Kung Fu 57 35 Cent Price Variant - 8.5
Ms. Marvel 6 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
Ms. Marvel 7 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Ms. Marvel 8 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.2
Ms. Marvel 9 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
Ms. Marvel 10 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.2
Nova 10 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.8
Nova 11 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Nova 12 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.8
Nova 13 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.2
Nova 14 35 Cent Price Variant - 8.0
Omega the Unknown 9 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.2
Omega the Unknown 10 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.2
Power Man 44 35 Cent Price Variant - 8.5
Power Man 45 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.0
Power Man 46 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Power Man 47 35 Cent Price Variant - 8.5
Rawhide Kid 140 35 Cent Price Variant - 4.0
Rawhide Kid 141 35 Cent Price Variant - 6.5
Red Sonja 4 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Red Sonja 5 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.2
Scooby-Doo 1 35 Cent Price Variant - 8.5
Sgt. Fury and His Howling Commandos 141 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.0
Sgt. Fury and His Howling Commandos 142 35 Cent Price Variant - 4.5
Spectacular Spider-Man 7 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
Spectacular Spider-Man 8 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.2
Spectacular Spider-Man 9 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
Spectacular Spider-Man 10 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.2
Spectacular Spider-Man 11 35 Cent Price Variant - 8.5
Star Wars 1 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Star Wars 2 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
Star Wars 3 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Star Wars 4 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Super-Villain Team-Up 12 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.0
Super-Villain Team-Up 13 35 Cent Price Variant - 8.5
Super-Villain Team-Up 14 35 Cent Price Variant - 8.5
Tarzan 1 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Tarzan 2 35 Cent Price Variant - 7.5
Tarzan 3 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.8
Tarzan 4 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.0
Tarzan 5 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
Thor 260 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
Thor 261 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Thor 262 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.2
Thor 263 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.2
Thor 264 35 Cent Price Variant - 8.0
Tomb of Dracula 57 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
Tomb of Dracula 58 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Tomb of Dracula 59 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
Tomb of Dracula 60 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.2
X-Men 105 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
X-Men 106 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
X-Men 107 35 Cent Price Variant - 9.4

This information can be found in the CGC census public database.  The easiest way to access the databases if at Greg Holland's website CGCdata.com.

List of highest graded 30 cent Marvel Price Variants

Here is a handy list of the highest graded Marvel 30 cent Price Variants.  I find it very useful as a quick reference.  Books bolded in red are the ones where no copy is graded as high as NM-.  Books bolded in blue are the issues found in 9.8.  Champions, Ka-Zar, and Super-Villian Team-Up series are the only series that are complete in 9.8.  Kull, the Destroyer is also available in 9.8, but it is a one book price 30 cent price variant series.

Adventures on the Planet of the Apes 5 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Adventures on the Planet of the Apes 6 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
Adventures on the Planet of the Apes 7 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
Amazing Adventures 36 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
Amazing Adventures 37 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Amazing Spider-Man 155 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.8
Amazing Spider-Man 156 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Amazing Spider-Man 157 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.8
Amazing Spider-Man 158 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.8
Amazing Spider-Man 159 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Astonishing Tales 35 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.0
Astonishing Tales 36 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
Avengers 146 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
Avengers 147 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
Avengers 148 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.8
Avengers 149 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
Avengers 150 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Black Goliath 2 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.8
Black Goliath 3 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Black Goliath 4 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Captain America 196 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Captain America 197 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Captain America 198 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Captain America 199 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Captain America 200 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Captain Marvel 44 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
Captain Marvel 45 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Chamber of Chills 22 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
Chamber of Chills 23 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Champions 5 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.8
Champions 6 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.8
Champions 7 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.8
Conan the Barbarian 61 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.8
Conan the Barbarian 62 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Conan the Barbarian 63 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
Conan the Barbarian 64 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Conan the Barbarian 65 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.8
Daredevil 132 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Daredevil 133 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Daredevil 134 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Daredevil 135 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
Daredevil 136 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.8
Defenders 34 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
Defenders 35 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.8
Defenders 36 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
Defenders 37 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Defenders 38 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Doctor Strange 13 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Doctor Strange 14 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Doctor Strange 15 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Doctor Strange 16 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
Doctor Strange 17 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Eternals 1 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Eternals 2 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Fantastic Four 169 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
Fantastic Four 170 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Fantastic Four 171 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Fantastic Four 172 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
Fantastic Four 173 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Ghost Rider 17 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Ghost Rider 18 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Ghost Rider 19 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.8
Howard the Duck 3 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Howard the Duck 4 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.8
Incredible Hulk 198 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.8
Incredible Hulk 199 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.8
Incredible Hulk 200 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.8
Incredible Hulk 201 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
Incredible Hulk 202 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
Inhumans 4 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.8
Inhumans 6 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
Invaders 6 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Invaders 7 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Iron Fist 4 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.8
Iron Fist 5 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.8
Iron Fist 6 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Iron Man 85 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Iron Man 86 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Iron Man 87 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Iron Man 88 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Iron Man 89 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Jungle Action & Black Panther 21 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.0
Jungle Action & Black Panther 22 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Ka-Zar 15 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.8
Ka-Zar 17 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.8
Kid Colt Outlaw 205 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
Kid Colt Outlaw 206 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
Kid Colt Outlaw 207 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.2
Kid Colt Outlaw 208 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.2
Kid Colt Outlaw 209 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.2
Kull, the Destroyer 16 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.8
Marvel Adventures Starring Daredevil 3 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.2
Marvel Adventures Starring Daredevil 4 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
Marvel Adventures Starring Daredevil 5 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Marvel Chillers 4 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.8
Marvel Chillers 5 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Marvel Chillers 6 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Marvel Double Feature 15 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Marvel Double Feature 16 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.2
Marvel Double Feature 17 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.2
Marvel Feature 4 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Marvel Feature 5 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Marvel Premiere 29 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.8
Marvel Premiere 30 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Marvel Premiere 31 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Marvel Presents 4 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.8
Marvel Presents 5 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Marvel Presents 6 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.8
Marvel Spotlight 27 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.8
Marvel Spotlight 28 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Marvel Spotlight 29 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.8
Marvel Super-Heroes 57 30 Cent Price Variant - 8.5
Marvel Super-Heroes 58 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Marvel Tales 66 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
Marvel Tales 67 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.8
Marvel Tales 68 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
Marvel Tales 69 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
Marvel Tales 70 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
Marvel Team-Up 44 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
Marvel Team-Up 45 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
Marvel Team-Up 46 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
Marvel Team-Up 47 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Marvel Team-Up 48 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Marvel Triple Action 29 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
Marvel Triple Action 30 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
Marvel Two-In-One 15 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.8
Marvel Two-In-One 16 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Marvel Two-In-One 17 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Marvel Two-In-One 18 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
Marvel's Greatest Comics 63 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.2
Marvel's Greatest Comics 64 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.2
Master of Kung Fu 39 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
Master of Kung Fu 40 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Master of Kung Fu 41 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.2
Master of Kung Fu 42 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
Master of Kung Fu 43 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Mighty Marvel Western 45 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Omega the Unknown 2 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Omega the Unknown 3 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
Power Man 30 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.8
Power Man 31 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Power Man 32 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Power Man 33 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.8
Power Man 34 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Rawhide Kid 133 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
Rawhide Kid 134 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
Ringo Kid 27 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.2
Ringo Kid 28 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Sgt. Fury and His Howling Commandos 133 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Sgt. Fury and His Howling Commandos 134 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Skull, the Slayer 5 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
Skull, the Slayer 6 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.8
Son of Satan 3 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.8
Son of Satan 4 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
Son of Satan 5 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Strange Tales 185 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
Strange Tales 186 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
Super-Villain Team-Up 5 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.8
Super-Villain Team-Up 6 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.8
Super-Villain Team-Up 7 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.8
Thor 246 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Thor 247 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Thor 248 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Thor 249 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.8
Thor 250 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Tomb of Darkness 20 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Tomb of Darkness 21 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Tomb of Dracula 43 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
Tomb of Dracula 44 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.8
Tomb of Dracula 45 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
Tomb of Dracula 46 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Tomb of Dracula 47 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
Two-Gun Kid 129 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Two-Gun Kid 130 30 Cent Price Variant - 8.0
Two-Gun Kid 131 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
Warlock 12 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Warlock 13 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Warlock 14 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
Weird Wonder Tales 15 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.2
Weird Wonder Tales 16 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.2
Weird Wonder Tales 17 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.8
Werewolf By Night 38 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
Werewolf By Night 39 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
X-Men 98 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.6
X-Men 99 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.4
X-Men 100 30 Cent Price Variant - 9.6

This information can be found in the CGC census public database.  The easiest way to access the databases if at Greg Holland's website CGCdata.com.

Price Variants and Marvel Value Stamps

A CGC board member asked me a good question the other day.  "Oh! I also meant to ask you about the value stamps. Some issues have them and some don't, correct? Have you seen many issues missing them? Is that generally a concern or not really?"  I have had a couple of books that had the Marvel Value Stamp cut out of them.  It is a good question worthy of a good response.


The series A stamps are all in issues published before the 30 centers came out.
However, here are the fifty 30 cent variant issues that have the series B MVS in them. I must admit that I only know of a small number of variant books that have them cut out, but they are out there.
Amazing Spider-man 156
Amazing Spider-man 157
Avengers 147
Captain America 197
Captain America 198
Champions 5
Conan 62
Daredevil 132
Daredevil 134
Daredevil 136
Defenders 35
Defenders 37
Defenders 38
Doctor Strange 13
Fantastic Four 170
Ghost Rider 18
Howard the Duck 2
Incredible Hulk 198
Incredible Hulk 199
Incredible Hulk 200
Inhumans 6
Invaders 7
Iron Fist 4
Iron Man 86
Iron Man 87
Iron Man 88
Jungle Action 21
Ka-Zar 15
Ka-Zar 17
Marvel Premiere 29
Marvel Premiere 30
Marvel Presents 5
Marvel Spotlight 27
Marvel Team-Up 44
Marvel Team-Up 45
Marvel Two-In-One 15
Marvel Two-In-One 18
Master of Kung Fu 39
Omega 2
Omega 3
Power Man 32
Power Man 33
Son of Satan 5
Super-Villain Team-Up 5
Thor 246
Thor 248
Thor 249
Tomb of Dracula 43
Tomb of Dracula 44
Tomb of Dracula 45
Note that amongst many of the tougher books, no Kid Colts, Mighty Marvel Westerns, Rawhide Kids, Ringo Kids, Two-Gun Kids, Sgt. Fury's, Weird Wonder Tales or X-men 30 cent variants have MVSs to be cut out!
A great source of information on Marvel Value Stamps can be found here.

All about Marvel Value Stamps

Despite the fact that many a Hulk 181 was butchered for a MVS, I happen to love these things. Here is my stamp book.

Also, my friend, boardie Stronguy, did the coolest sketch project you will ever see and it is MVS based. Here is the link.


Stronguy's simply awesome Marvel Value Stamp Project

Iron Fist 15 on ebay

This copy of the 35 cent price variant issue of Iron Fist 15 sold on ebay for $275.  The transaction was a Buy-It-Now offer. Iron Fist price variant books remain some of the most sought after issues and always bring strong prices when they become available.

Kid Colt 206 on ebay

A decent copy of Kid Colt 206 was listed on ebay and sold as a Buy-It-Now for $255.  For several years now, the secret has been out that western price variants are actively collected and bring the bucks.  A regular edition of this book in this condition would be lucky to fetch a buck.

Another sensational Star Wars 1 CGC 9.6 35 cent variant auction

The second CGC certified 9.6 copy of a Star Wars 1 35 cent price variant was sold for $21,805 in the June ComicLink auction.  This is the second sale of a 35 cent variant to break the $20,000 barrier (the first was also a Star Wars 1 CGC 9.6 in a ComicLink auction.  This is about 170 times the going rate for a regular edition in the same grade.

I can only speculate, but I would expect a 9.8 copy of this book, if one ever shows up, to fetch between $40,000 to $50,000.

Here is the ComicLink write-up on the book:

STAR WARS #1

Section: For Sale / Golden, Silver and Bronze Age Comic Books / Marvel, Timely and Atlas / STAR WARS
Price: $21,805
Publisher: Marvel
Condition: CGC 9.6 NM+
Census Rank: Highest CGC Graded!
Page Quality: White Pages
Type of Holder: Universal
Degree Of Restoration: Unrestored
Pedigree or Highlight: PRICE VARIANT

Item description:
1977, 1st Star Wars adaptation

ComicLink Comments:
This upper Near Mint CGC 9.6 NM+ is the highest graded example for the Price Variant of Star Wars #1, the most valuable Bronze Age comic book and it is 1 of only 2 ever certified at this top tier. We have to go back to the ComicLink Featured Auction of November 2009 to find the last, and only time, another 9.6 price variant has changed hands (at $26,250). Both that example and the one presented here leave nothing to be desired, with CGC's perfect page quality designation of White Pages complementing the highest certified grade of 9.6.

No Bronze Age comic books with comparably high demand can match the scarcity of the 35 cent Price Variant version of the first issue of Star Wars, and that it is why, grade for grade, it is the most valuable Bronze Age book that exists. Underscoring the rarity of this 9.6, is the fact that after nearly a decade of CGC grading only 4 examples of this key issue have ever even made it to the one grade lower tier of 9.4. On the demand side of the equation, the continued popularity of the iconic film franchise combined with the comic book medium makes for a large fan base. This is a unique opportunity to acquire the best example of this highly coveted issue.

Other notable High Grade 30 cent Variant Sales from the May Comiclink Featured Auction

The May 2011 Comiclink Feature Auction was remarkable for the size and quality of its Marvel Bronze Age price variant offerings. 

Amazing Spider-Man 155 - CGC 9.6 White (one of three in grade, two higher)  $305

Amazing Spider-Man 159 - CGC 9.6 White (one of two highest graded) $391 absolute bargain, by the way.

Avengers 148 CGC 9.6 White (one of three in grade, two higher)  $216

Avengers 149 CGC 9.4 Off-White to White (one of five, all highest graded, and the first time any have been auctioned)  $140

Jungle Action 22 CGC 9.4 White (one of three in grade, one higher)  $345.  The last and only time another of these books sold was in 2005 for $200.

Marvel Tales 67 CGC 9.8 White (single highest graded) $330

Marvel Team-Up 45 CGC 9.4 White (one of two highest graded) $330

Marvel Team-Up 46 CGC 9.4 White (one of five, highest graded) $198.  The price on this book, like many variants, has more than doubled in five years.

Marvel Two-In-One 17 CGC 9.6 White (single highest graded) $250

Also, it is always good when a Star Wars 1 comes up for auction.  Star Wars 1 CGC 8.5 Off-White to White $1628. 

There is only one variant listed so far in the June 2011 Comiclink auction.  But... it is a doozy.  The second copy of Star Wars 1 to be graded in 9.6.  I would bet that it is a Queen Angelica book that has been pressed.  If you remember, the last and only other 9.6 to auction, ended north of $25,000 in a Comiclink auction a couple of years ago.

Highest Graded Silver Age Journey Into Mystery 76 Sets Auction Record

I haven't blogged on the three Silver Age Marvel Price Variants yet.  The single highest graded of one of these issues and the easiest of the three issues to find (don't get me started on the Love Romances one), Journey into Mystery 76 recently came up for sale in the May Comiclink Feature Auction.  When the dust settled and all the snipes were set, the auction finished at $1687 which is more than twice the amount of any previous auction of this price variant.

What exactly are the black circle variants.  They are the silver-age brethren of the bronze age marvel price variants.  The three issues were all published by Marvel in January 1962.   Marvel decided to up their price from 10 cents to 12 cents and apparently still had three issues to print in January - Journey into Mystery, Love Romances, and Gunsmoke Western.  They made the decision to change the price on these but somehow the word didn't get to the printer or the printer didn't follow instructions until after the printing had started.   Some of the initial books were printed with the standard 10 cent price in a white circle.  After the mistake was discovered, the books were corrected by overprinting a black circle over the 10 cent price and printing 12 cents near where the price circel had been.  The remainder of the print run was printed with the new correct 12 cent price in the white circle.  The correctly printed 12 cent issues are the regular issue while the "black circle" ones are the variant issues. 
One question that has nagged variant collectors for years is "Did any of the 10 cent copies escape the printers?"  I have never seen or heard of one, but finding one would be a lot of fun.

Iron Man 88 in CGC 9.6 White sets record

One of only three NM or better copies of the 30 cent variant issue of Iron Man 88 and the single highest graded at 9.6 White set a new price record of $450 for the issue in the May Comiclink Featured Auction.  This price is 40 times higher than the last sale of similarly graded regular copy of this issue.  The brilliant blue background on the cover of this issue always makes this issue tough in grade.  The slight stress at the top staple is all that appears to keep this issue from grading higher.

Daredevil 134 in CGC 9.6 White sets record

In the May Comiclink Featured Auction, the single highest graded copy of Daredevil 134 set a new price record for the issue of $425.  At only seven times the average price for its regular issue brethren, I think it was a relative bargain for the auction. 

X-Men 106 35 cent price variant in CGC 9.2 Off-White to White Pages Breaks $1000 barrier

The 2nd highest graded copy of the 35 cent variant issue of X-Men 106 recently sold on ebay for $1000 which means this issue joins the $1000 club for price variant sales.  One of two copies that have received a grade of 9.2, this book trails only one book that has been graded higher at 9.6.  Regular issue copies certified in 9.2 trade for $50, so the price of the variant issue is twenty time higher than the regular issue.

What is the 9.6 worth?  A premium for certain since the book is a single highest graded copy right in the sweet spot of bronze age X-Men greatness.  Twenty times the regular issue value of $150 in CGC 9.6 would be $3000.  Who knows?  What we do know is that there have been 553 copies certified of the regular issue and only 13 copies certified of the variant issue.  Putting together a complete set of high grade X-Men price variants is a major challenge.

Amazing spider-man 157 in CGC 9.8 sets record in Comiclink feature auction

A beautiful copy of Amazing Spider-man 157 in CGC white sold for $1628 in the May 2011 Comiclink Feature auction. This is one of two highest graded copies of this variant issue and the first to come up at auction. The is the first sale of a certified spider 30 cent price variant to break the $1000 dollar barrier but it is also the first sale of a 9.8 graded spidey book to close at auction. 9.8 copies of issue 155 have sold in private treaty sales for near four-figure amounts.

This price is approximately fifteen times the amount of a regular issue 9.8.  The previous high sales price for a price variant copy of this issue was $510 for a 9.6 copy.

Daredevil 132 CGC 9.4 white monster book

An absolutely stunning copy of Daredevil 132 30-cent price variant graded by CGC as 9.4 with White pages was auctioned by CGC this month on ebay by ebay seller pickycollector ( Feedback Score Of 1213).

After spirited bidding, the book sold for $447 after shipping from Canada.  This is over a 50% increase from the last sale of a 9.4 copy of this book.  Of course, this book is rare enough that the last sale of this book in this grade was over five years ago in February 2006.  The last sale of a 9.6 was also in 2004 for $500, so I expect a 9.6 auctioned today would go for $750 to $1000.

This copy is one of only five in 9.4 with only two copies graded higher.  It is one of the 30 cent variant keys for two reasons.  First, it is an early appearance of Daredevil's arch-foe Bullseye.  Secondly, the black cover and the regular price box make it very tough to find, especially in high grade.


If only Ben Affleck had made a decent movie out of Frank Miller's Daredevil work, this book would be joining the four figure club.  Easily.

Another curious auction for a 35 cent variant key - Iron Fist 14

CGC boardie, Keldog, pointed me to a couple of recent curious auctions for a PGX 8.0 copy of an Iron Fist 14 35-cent price variant.  First on April 14, snugglebug2009 ( Feedback Score Of 47)  sold this copy on ebay for $1324 to a zero feedback buyer, who outbid two other bidders by $25 to $100 or so.  Zero feedback bidders always draw scrutiny, particularly when their only bid is on the auction in question.  Perhaps it is a new ebay bidder who signed up just to bid on the Iron Fist 14 variant that he had always wanted.  Or maybe it is just another ebay shill.  Who knows?

But then the same book is relisted five days later by bestdeals360 ( Feedback Score Of 513) and sells two days later for a best offer Buy it Now for $1625.

Strange things happen all the time on ebay.  I wonder if and when we will see this book again?

Strange Star Wars Ebay Auction

A relatively low-feedback ebay seller listed the following item and description in March.


Star Wars Comic Book by Marvel Comics #1 1977


I got this comic at an estate sale along with vintage 1977 Star Wars toys, the owner has had the collection i bought for 30 years, the comic book came sealed in an airtight laminate package to protect it and has done a good job because the comic book looks like new still, the owner said that it was in a larger case but he removed it because it was to bulky but that the grade for the book was 9.0....I put up photos so you can see for yourself, im going to be putting up more Star Wars stuff soon!!!...
Please bid cautiously because i have a no return policy to prevent 3rd party handling
Shipping is priority USPS $10.00 includes insurance tracking with signature confirmation Thank You!

Here is a picture of the books cover and back still apparently in the well.

Nowhere in the auction did it mention that the book was a 35 cent price variant.  The book attracted 40 bids and the final price was $1325. 
 
It does raise some interesting questions.
Was the book cracked out of a CGC holder?  PGX?
Why was the book cracked out?
Since the last CGC 9.0 sold for $3500, why crack and sell for $1325?
Was the book stolen and cracked out so it would be harder to trace?
Will it grade 9.0 when resubmitted?
What happened to the label?  Was it really a 9.0? 
How accurate is the CGC census?
 
If anyone has any additional information on this book, please send me a note.
 
Thanks.

Scooby Doo #1 35 cent variant

This magnificent copy of Scooby Doo #1 35 cent price variant apparently sold in a private treaty sale for $3500 by Motor City Comics.  Motor City Comics had this book (as they have had a number of other high grade 35 cent price variants) listed for sale for a long time.  Their asking price was steep but since no other copies have appeared, I am not surprised that a savvy collector finally snapped it up.  I am not certain that there is another like it.  Scooby is still very popular by the way.

Iron Fist 14 CGC 8.5 White

CGC boardie Keldog sent me a private message about a beautiful Iron Fist 14 in CGC 8.5 White that sold for $3000.  This is decent price for both the seller and buyer of this 35 cent variant key.  The selling site in Finest Comics and you can link to it here - Iron Fist 14 CGC 8.5 White.

Thanks Keldog