A PSA 10 is a truly remarkable book that is virtually perfect. It will have sharp corners with no visible stress or wear, no spine stress that breaks color, no edge wear, full gloss (if the book was manufactured with a glossy surface), and bright colors. This book will have white pages.

A PSA 9.8 book will have sharp corners but can have very minimal wear, very minor spine stress, or perhaps very minor edge wear. It will have excellent gloss (if the book was manufactured with a glossy surface) and deep colors. Page quality is almost always off-white to white or better, but there are some exceptions if the book is virtually perfect overall. Small arrival dates and pedigree codes are allowed.

A PSA 9.6 book will have sharp corners but can have very minimal wear, minor spine stress with a few color breaks, scuffs, or perhaps very minor edge or tiny corner wear. Excellent gloss (if the book was manufactured with a glossy surface) and deep colors. Paper is supple and most often ?like new,? although page quality can fall in a range of cream/off-white to white. Arrival dates and pedigree codes are allowed. Distributor markings are allowed with minor overspray.

A book in this range may have a few tiny spine stresses, an edge tear, or minor corner blunting. Covers are flat, fairly well-centered and firmly secured, with little fading and trace surface wear. Staples are clean. Paper is supple with page quality in cream/off-white to white ranges. Some binding and/or printing defects. Unobtrusive date stamps or arrival dates in pencil or ink.

A book in this range will show increasing signs of wear and an accumulation of defects. Covers could have minor bends, minor creases that break color, or minor chips on the edges. Minor sun or dust shadows, and minor tanning may be present. Minor tape may be present at the lower end of the spectrum of grades but will be noted. This range can include an otherwise Near Mint book that has a tiny piece out or a small spine split. Books manufactured with a single staple with a neatly detached centerfold will start at the 8.0 grade. Any damage to the centerfold or edges affects the grade further.

A book in this range will have an accumulation of defects, which can include longer cover tears, color discoloration, fading, soiling, or light stains. A book might have covers detached at one staple, a detached centerfold at both staples, or missing inserts. Pages can be brownish. Stress lines and creases on the spine. Minor amounts of tape may be present. This range can include an otherwise Near Mint book that has a piece out or a longer spine split.

A book in this range will have an increasing amount of defects, including major creases, low to no cover gloss, scuffs, abrasions, tears, and/or soiling. Low inside paper quality, although the book may have white paper quality with cover defects. Small pieces can be missing. A larger amount of tape might be present. The book is complete with all pages. Staples may have rust or damage. A book manufactured with two staples might have a detached cover.

A book in this range is complete with all pages but will have a few glaring defects or an accumulation of many smaller defects. Larger pieces can be missing, with the covers or some pages being detached. Significant wear, with gloss usually missing. Inside paper quality can range from brittle to white. The book usually has creases, scuffs, tears, abrasions, spine splits, soiling, and/or stains. A significant amount of tape may be present. A book in this range could appear as a high grade book with interior defects, or a large corner off.

A book in this range will usually look worn and damaged, may be stained, may have extensive tape repairs and could be heavily creased, torn, and/or soiled. Stories will be complete but could have an ad page, coupon, and/or panels missing. Spine and/or cover may be completely split. Paper quality ranges from brittle to white. Staples may be missing.

This book will have major defects, which may include larger tears, heavy creases, abrasions, and severe stains to the point where cover inks are gone. Story and ad page(s) may be missing, and interior page panels and/or coupons can be missing. Excessive tape may be present. This could include an otherwise high grade book that has missing story pages or missing the front or back cover (not both). Page quality ranges from white to extreme brittleness.

This grade reflects an incomplete book. Most often this is a coverless book that may be complete or incomplete. It might be missing wraps, pages, or staples. Page quality is very low from brittle to white.