I have a collection input into ComicsPriceGiude.com of 958 comics with an estimated graded Worth of $7,611.84. Do these numbers add up in your mind? I still have a few titles to add but not much more. I read your article and am thinking of either selling as either smaller lots or as one big lot.
The problem with any collection of that size is in finding someone to buy it. A comic or item is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it and large collections, unless they are made up of the most valuable of comic books, won’t be willing to pay such a large and hefty price.
Most comic book collections, mine included, have what could be referred to as ore mixed with gold nuggets. The ore is the bulk of the collection made up of newer comic books or even older ones that are still not that valuable on their own. Then there are the “gold nuggets” which are the more isolated comic books that are worth so much more than their more common counterparts. You can really see this in play in older comic book runs such as Batman. Batman #46 is worth about $1500 in pristine condition, while Batman #47 which contains the origin of Batman is worth $6000, four times more. Another example would be Captain America #25, worth $10 while Captain America #26 is worth only $3. The first comic showcases the death of Captain America while the next issue is much less climactic. While you may be thinking that $1500 for a comic is a lot, you'd be right, but the point remains that the very next issue is worth so much more because of its content and comicspriceguide.com reports that a recent issue sold for $7300.
Some things that might make those comics labeled as “ore” more valuable would be if it is a complete set or run of a series. If the comics are in pristine condition might also give them a boost. The fact is that the comics that are more valuable are that way for a reason. Either they are hard to find, contain pivotal plot points, have first appearances, or may even have a mistake that was recalled. All these things will make a comic more valuable, but the basic meat of a series, while might be valued at three dollars a comic, or even three hundred dollars, could have a hard time finding a buyer, especially in such a large lot.
My suggestion would be to look at your collection and put it in groups. I would pick out the more valuable comics, those limited series that had small print runs, key moment issues where someone died or a new character was introduced and pull those out to sell individually. I would even consider using a service like CGC on the most highest valued comics to see if you can drive the price even higher, but probably only if they are in very good condition or are worth a lot on their own. Then I would put together some other groups made up of the same character or series and sell those in larger lots. So group your Superman comics in one section, and your Avengers comics in another. You might have a scattering of one publisher but no serious amounts of any one series, but I’d probably put these together as well.
The truth of the matter is that although the price guide says they are worth almost eight thousand dollars, unless they are all highly sought after comic books in great condition, I doubt you will make that amount. I think you have a better chance with the strategy mentioned above as you might hit it big with some of the more valuable comic books and lose a bit on the less valuable ones, but should balance it out overall. At any rate you will save a lot of time and effort by not listing each one individually and will be able to capitalize on your more valuable comics.
