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Grading & authentication

What is a qualified (green label) grade?

Published Sep 14, 2026 · Updated Sep 14, 2026 · 1 min read

Short answerA qualified grade, shown on a green CGC label, means the book has one significant defect that was excluded from the grade and described on the label instead — a missing coupon, a detached cover, a cut-out, or an unverified signature. The number describes the book apart from that defect, so a green-label 8.0 is not equivalent to a blue-label 8.0.

When CGC uses a qualified grade

Some defects would drag an otherwise attractive book down to a very low grade under the normal rules. Rather than call a beautiful copy with one clipped coupon a 1.0, CGC assigns a qualified grade: the number describes the rest of the book, and the label states what was set aside. Typical qualifiers:

  • A missing coupon, ad page or Marvel Value Stamp
  • A detached cover or centrefold
  • Writing or a signature on the cover that could not be verified
  • A married cover from another copy (disclosed)
  • An interior page trimmed or cut

How to read it

Treat the grade and the qualifier together. A green-label 9.0 with "coupon cut from back cover" is a bright, tight copy that is missing a piece — worth more than a beat-up 3.0, but nowhere near a blue-label 9.0. Buyers price qualified copies case by case, usually well below the unqualified grade and above the grade the defect would otherwise force.

Green vs purple

The two labels answer different questions. Purple (Restored) means something was added to or altered on the book. Green (Qualified) means something is missing or unverified but nothing was restored. A book can be both restored and qualified; the label will say so.

Buying tips

  • Read the qualifier text on the label before the number.
  • For Silver Age Marvels, check specifically for Marvel Value Stamp pages (1974–1976), a common reason for a green label on Bronze Age books.
  • Verify the certification number to see the full grader notes.

See What do CGC label colours mean? for the full set of labels.

Frequently asked

Is a green label the same as restored?
No. A green label means a disclosed missing part or unverified signature with nothing added to the book. Restoration gets a purple label.

Written by the Rare Comics Collectors grading team. Spotted an error or have a question this guide does not answer? Tell us.

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