Why is a 9.8 worth so much more than a 9.6?
Published Sep 14, 2026 · Updated Sep 14, 2026 · 1 min read
Short answerBecause 9.8 is the practical top of the scale for almost every comic and the grade most collectors of high-grade books insist on. Supply at 9.8 is a small fraction of supply at 9.6 and below, while demand from set-builders and investors concentrates there, so the price step between 9.6 and 9.8 is usually the largest on the whole scale — often two to five times, and far more for scarce Bronze and Silver Age keys.
The supply side
Every step up the scale removes copies, but the last step removes the most. A 9.8 must have essentially no defects visible without magnification; a single tiny spine tick or corner blunt drops a book to 9.6. For Bronze Age keys, the census typically shows several times more 9.6 copies than 9.8s. For Silver Age keys, a 9.8 may be one of a handful or simply not exist.
The demand side
The high-grade market has settled on 9.8 as the standard for modern and Bronze Age books. Collectors building "9.8 sets" will not buy a 9.6, and investors prefer the grade with the deepest, most liquid market. The result is that demand at 9.8 is not just higher than at 9.6 but qualitatively different.
What this looks like in practice
| Era | Typical 9.6 → 9.8 step |
|---|---|
| Modern Age | Modest, because 9.8 is common |
| Copper and Bronze Age keys | Large: several multiples |
| Silver Age keys | Very large when a 9.8 exists at all |
| Golden Age | 9.8 effectively does not exist for most issues; the steep steps happen lower down |
What it means for buyers
- If you want a book to enjoy, a 9.4 or 9.6 is visually indistinguishable from a 9.8 and far cheaper.
- If you are buying for resale, the 9.8 premium is where most of the return has historically been — and also where the most risk sits if demand softens.
- Beware of a 9.8 with cream pages or poor centering: the number is the same but the market will notice.
Pressing and the 9.8 line
Because the difference between 9.6 and 9.8 is often a single pressable bend, pressing before submission is routine for candidates. That is also why the 9.8 population keeps growing for Bronze and Modern keys.
Written by the Rare Comics Collectors grading team. Spotted an error or have a question this guide does not answer? Tell us.