How do I verify a CGC certification number?
Published Sep 14, 2026 · Updated Sep 14, 2026 · 1 min read
Short answerEvery CGC label carries a certification number. Enter it in the certification lookup on CGC's website and the record shows the title, issue, grade, label type, page quality and key comments that were assigned to that number. If the record does not match the slab in front of you, do not buy it. CBCS offers the same lookup for its labels.
Where the number is
On a CGC label the certification number sits on the right-hand side, usually as a ten-digit number, sometimes followed by a dash and a sequence number for books submitted together. On a CBCS label it is printed with the barcode.
What to check
- Open the grader's certification lookup and enter the number.
- Compare title and issue — the most common mismatch in a fake is a label moved from a cheap book to an expensive one.
- Compare the grade and label colour.
- Compare page quality and any key comments or signer names.
- Look at the holder itself: the inner well should be intact, the label edges clean, and the case free of re-sealing marks along the seam.
Why it matters
A slab is only as trustworthy as its label. Counterfeit labels and swapped cases are rare but they exist, and they target the books where the grade adds the most money. Thirty seconds on the grader's website removes the risk.
When the lookup fails
- A number that returns "not found" may be very old (early CGC records) or mistyped; try again and contact the seller.
- A record that shows a different grade than the label is a red flag — walk away.
Every slab in the store is listed with its certification number in the specifications, and we verify each one against the grader's record before listing.
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.