The comic that introduced Spider-Man to the world just changed hands for $30,500 on eBay. It was Amazing Fantasy #15, graded CGC 4.5, and it was the top sale of the week. But here is the surprise: an ungraded copy of the very same issue still brought $8,100.

That means a beat up copy of a 1962 comic that most people would call worn out can fetch more than a used car.

Overstreet Access listed the week’s highlights in its report on top eBay comic sales, naming 20 notable sales that show where collector money is going.

Three Copies Of Amazing Fantasy #15 Sold In One Week

The CGC 4.5 copy brought $30,500. Another copy in a CGC holder sold for $8,999, and an ungraded copy brought $8,100.

All three are the same issue, the origin and first appearance of Spider-Man. The wide spread tells you how much condition, certification and presentation can change a price.

It also tells you how much demand there is. Even a rough copy is a piece of pop culture history.

Ghost Rider, The Flash And A Photo Cover Western

The second highest sale was Marvel Spotlight #5, graded CBCS 9.0 with an authentic Stan Lee signature, the debut of Ghost Rider. It sold for $19,995.

Showcase #4, graded CGC 4.0, the debut of Barry Allen as the Flash, sold for $14,391. That book kicked off the Silver Age of comics, according to common collector lore.

A Bonanza #1, graded CGC 9.6, brought $11,500. It has a photo cover and is the first Bonanza comic, which shows that television tie ins have their own devoted fans.

Silver Age Keys Fill The Middle Of The List

• Amazing Spider-Man #1, CGC 4.0, Spider-Man’s second appearance with the origin retold, sold for $11,499.
• Fantastic Four #5, CGC 5.0, the debut of Doctor Doom, sold for $9,680.
• Tales of Suspense #39, CGC 4.5, the first Iron Man appearance, sold for $9,400.
• Avengers #4, CGC 9.0, Captain America’s first Silver Age appearance, sold for $9,300.
• Invincible #1, CGC 9.8, the debut of Mark Grayson and Omni-Man, sold for $9,000.
• Detective Comics #54, CGC 8.5, sold for $8,900.
• Fantastic Four #1, CGC 3.0, the team’s debut and the first Mole Man, sold for $8,000.
• Werewolf by Night #32, CGC 9.6, the debut of Moon Knight, sold for $7,800.

Further down the list, 2000 AD #2, graded CGC 9.4, with the first Judge Dredd, sold for $7,500. A Cat-Man Comics #20 with a World War II Hitler cover, ungraded, sold for $6,100.

An X-Men #1 And A Wolverine Debut Also Made The Cut

X-Men #1 graded CGC 8.0 sold for $7,101, and an ungraded Incredible Hulk #181, the first full appearance of Wolverine, sold for $5,987.

Avengers #57, CGC 9.6, which features the first Vision and the second Ultron, sold for $6,000. Tales of Suspense #39 appears again at CGC 3.5, selling for $5,950.

What The Spread In Prices Teaches Collectors

Take a look at the two Tales of Suspense #39 sales. The CGC 4.5 copy brought $9,400 and the CGC 3.5 copy brought $5,950. One grade step of one point made a difference of more than $3,000.

On the other hand, the Fantastic Four #1 at CGC 3.0 brought $8,000, which is a large number for a heavily worn copy of such a famous issue.

Collectors call this the premium for key books. A first appearance or an origin is more important than the condition of the paper, at least to a point.

Why Spider-Man Keeps Getting More Valuable

Spider-Man is one of the most recognizable characters in the world, with movies, cartoons and toys that reach new fans every year. Each time he appears on a big screen, interest in his earliest comics grows.

That interest does not spread evenly. The first appearance, Amazing Fantasy #15, is the big prize. Amazing Spider-Man #1 and the early issues that introduce his villains follow, which is why Doctor Octopus and others pop up in the weekly lists.

For a family that kept a stack of comics from the 1960s, it is worth a careful look. A single issue can be worth far more than the rest of the box combined.

The key is to find out which ones matter before you give anything away. A quick search of the issue number and the words “first appearance” can tell you right away if a book belongs on the key list.

How To Make Smart Moves If You Own A Valuable Comic

• Check the issue number against a list of key issues, which are the ones that introduce famous characters.
• If you suspect a key issue, learn about grading before you do anything else. Handle it only with clean hands, and keep it in a protective bag.
• Do not clean, repair or press the comic. Amateur work can reduce the price.
• Use sold listings to check recent prices for your specific issue and grade.
• Consider an auction house or an experienced dealer if the comic might be worth thousands.

It helps to think about timing. Hundreds of comics appear on eBay every week, and prices can rise or fall depending on what is trending. A new movie or series can send a character’s early issues up quickly.

Keep a record of your purchases with photos and receipts, and think about insurance if your collection grows. A single slabbed key can be worth more than the rest of the shelf.

And remember the story behind the price. Every comic on this list was once a twelve cent magazine on a drugstore rack, and somebody had the foresight to save it.

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