How Are Action Figures Graded?
Great question! This isn’t as easy to answer as you may think. There are different scales used to grade statuettes. The Action Figure Authority (or AFA), who professionally grade figurines, use two different scales. Their “AFA 3-Tier Grading Scale” grades figurines produced from 1960 to the present, grading them from 100 (Gem Mint) to 10 (Very Poor). Their other scale, the “AFA Modern Grading Scale” is for items produced from 1995 to the present, grading figurines from 10 to 1. There is also the C Scale, grading from C10 (Mint) to C1 (Very Poor), which is often used by collectors when they are grading their own action figures. While these grades might be comparable, a AFA 3-Tier 90 isn’t the same as a AFA Modern 9, which in turn isn’t the same as a C9. It should also be noted that grading isn’t an exact science. Professional grading can be relied on, but amateur grading often depends on the individual, and not all sellers are honest about the condition of their action figures. Should I
