CGC vs CBCS: what is the difference?
Published Sep 14, 2026 · Updated Sep 14, 2026 · 2 min read
Short answerCGC (founded 2000) and CBCS (founded 2014) are the two main third-party comic grading companies in the United States. Both grade on the same 10-point scale and encapsulate books in tamper-evident holders. CGC has the larger census and the deeper resale market, so its slabs often carry a modest premium; CBCS is known for its signature verification, which authenticates signatures after the fact rather than requiring a witness.
The two companies
CGC — Certified Guaranty Company — began grading comics in 2000 and is part of the Certified Collectibles Group in Sarasota, Florida. It has graded many millions of comics and its census is the reference most price data is organised around.
CBCS — Comic Book Certification Service — was founded in 2014 in Dallas, Texas by Steve Borock, who had been CGC's first primary grader, and has been part of Beckett Collectibles since 2018.
Where they are the same
- Both grade on the 10-point scale and their numbers are meant to be comparable.
- Both check for restoration and disclose it on the label.
- Both use tamper-evident holders and publish a certification lookup.
- Both note page quality, pedigree and key-issue information on the label.
Where they differ
Signatures. CGC's yellow Signature Series label requires a CGC-authorised witness to watch the signing. CBCS offers the same witnessed service (its yellow Verified Signature label) but also a red Authentic Signature label for signatures that were not witnessed and are authenticated afterwards by handwriting experts. If you own a book signed years ago at a convention, only CBCS can put that signature on a label.
Market size. Because CGC has been grading longer and has graded far more books, more sales data exists for CGC slabs and more buyers search specifically for them. In practice this means a CGC copy of a key issue often sells for somewhat more than the same grade in a CBCS holder, and sells faster.
Holder design. The cases differ in shape and in how the inner well holds the book; neither is superior for preservation, but some collectors prefer one look.
Grader notes. CBCS prints more detail about defects on many labels; CGC offers grader notes as a separate lookup.
Which should you choose?
- For maximum resale value on a key issue, most dealers submit to CGC.
- For a book with an unwitnessed signature you want authenticated, CBCS.
- For personal collecting where you value the condition report itself, either.
The store lists both, and every listing states the grader and certification number so you can verify the book on the grader's own site. See also How to verify a CGC certification number.
Frequently asked
- Will a CBCS 9.8 sell for the same as a CGC 9.8?
- Often close, but not always the same. Because more buyers search for CGC copies and more CGC sales exist to anchor prices, the CGC copy tends to bring a little more. The gap is smaller for CBCS books with authenticated signatures, where CBCS has a unique offering.
- Can I cross a CBCS book over to CGC?
- Yes. CGC offers a crossover service where you set a minimum grade; if the book does not meet it, it is returned in the original CBCS holder. Crossovers are common for keys headed to auction.
Sources and further reading
Written by the Rare Comics Collectors grading team. Spotted an error or have a question this guide does not answer? Tell us.