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.