Do You Need to Have Your Action Figures Professionally Graded?

Professional Grading

It is because of the problems and unreliability of the C-Scale grading system that the demand for an internationally recognized and accepted grading system grew and led to the explosion in the professional action figure grading services.

Do You Need Professional Grading?

If you plan on selling any of your action figures, particularly any vintage or valuable figures you want to get the best bang for your bucks, so yes you should get them professionally graded. BUT If you are going to pay to have your action figure's condition and authenticity verified by a professional grading service make sure it is a well known, established and respected company that you use.

A Word of Caution... Having your action figure/s professionally graded can be expensive so only get those figures that are either vintage figures or valuable figures professionally graded.

What or Who Are the AFA?

The Action Figure Authority (AFA) was born from a frustration of all the different systems and scales that where being used in the market to grade action figures without any uniformity or standardization. More collectors are beginning to demand that valuable figures are professionally graded before accepting them and more dealers seem to be accepting that a valuable action figure should be professionally authenticated and graded. The AFA is committed to meet or exceed the action figure markets unique requirements while promoting a healthy and fun environment for all. AFA state that their main goals and aims are to:

give the collector the advantage by revealing each action figures true characteristics, thus promoting the healthy growth of sight unseen purchases of action figures.
to gain your trust and respect.
to create a consensus that AFA's grading standard accurately reflects the input of all collectors and dealers.
to promote interest in the collecting of action figures by the safe and enjoyable purchasing of AFA graded figures.

The AFA Grading Scale

The AFA Grading Scale consists of three levels, each with three sub-levels. These are there Gold, Silver and Bronze levels.

AFA Gold The Premium level is the AFA Gold level which consists of the grades 100, 95, and 90.
AFA Silver level The second level is the Silver level which consists of the grades 85, 80, and 75.
AFA Bronze Level The Bronze Level action figure consists of the grades 70, 60, and below. Action Figures that receive these grades typically have damage ranging anywhere from simply noticeable at first glance to extremely significant.

AFA Sub grades

There are three sub grades for AFA Graded action figures which are assigned for the Card, Blister, and the Action Figure. Once the grader has been established the overall grade for your action figure, they will assign individual grades for each of these three categories.

What Defects Will Affect My Action Figures Grade?

Creases, bends or tears.
Price tag marks
Blistering or bubbling
Discoloration
Broken limbs
Yellowing
Bubble or card separation

These are a few of the more common defects or faults found that will affect your action figures value.

Autographed Action Figures

Over the last few years that has been a large increase in the number and variety of action figures available of stars particularly from TV Series, Sports and Music which has resulted in an in figures autographed by the star or character depicted by the action figure. My guess is that with this becoming more and more popular the Professional Grading sites will begin to include autograph verification into there service, however this is an area fraught with dangers and hazards.