Amazing Fantasy #15(August 1962) is the most valuable comic in the Spider-Man universe. First appearance of Peter Parker by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko. Values: CGC 0.5 = $15,000–25,000, CGC 3.0 = $90,000–130,000, CGC 6.0 = $300,000–450,000, CGC 9.0+ = $1,500,000–3,600,000. Absolute record: $3.6 million in CGC 9.4 (Heritage, September 2021).
Published in August 1962,Amazing Fantasy #15is the absolute holy grail for any Spider-Man collector. This issue contains the very first appearance of Peter Parker/Spider-Man, created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko. In 2026, it is systematically positioned in the top 5 of the most expensive comics ever sold at auction, alongside Action Comics #1 and Detective Comics #27.
The estimated circulation of this issue ranges between 60,000 and 80,000 copies, of which only a fraction has survived in collectible condition. La rareté combinée à l'importance historique du personnage (Spider-Man est la licence Marvel la plus rentable depuis 60 ans) explique pourquoi les prix ne cessent de grimper, même en périodes de correction générale du marché comics.
CGC Grade Odds: Full Table Amazing Fantasy #15
The price of an Amazing Fantasy #15 varies drastically depending on the CGC grade. Here are the price ranges observed at public sales (Heritage Auctions, ComicLink, eBay) between 2024 and early 2026:
| CGC grade | Price range (USD) | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 0.5 (Poor) | $15,000 – $25,000 | Coverage often loose or incomplete, but demand remains strong |
| 1.0 (Fair) | $25,000 – $40,000 | Difficult to read, significant creases, frequent stains |
| 1.8 (Good-) | $40,000 – $65,000 | Readable, heavy wear to corners and spine |
| 3.0 (Good/VG) | $90,000 – $130,000 | “Collectible” entry threshold for many investors |
| 4.0 (VG) | $130,000 – $200,000 | Colors still vibrant, some reading creases |
| 5.0 (VG/FN) | $200,000 – $300,000 | Good quality/price balance for serious investors |
| 6.0 (Fine) | $300,000 – $450,000 | Presentable copy, slight defects only |
| 7.0 (FN/VF) | $450,000 – $700,000 | Rare — few examples have survived in this condition |
| 8.0 (VF) | $700,000 – $1,200,000 | Exceptional, the CGC census lists less than 15 copies |
| 9.0 (VF/NM) | $1,500,000 – $2,500,000 | Unicorn — every sale makes global news |
| 9.4 (NM) | $3,000,000 – $3,600,000 | Record Heritage 2021: $3,600,000 |
It is crucial to understand that grades below 1.0 often represent incomplete copies (missing pages, cut cover). Despite this, their value remains considerable due to the insatiable demand for this issue.
Auction records and major sales history
Amazing Fantasy #15 holds several records which illustrate the spectacular evolution of its rating:
- September 2021– CGC 9.4 sold for $3,600,000 at Heritage Auctions. Highest sale ever recorded for this issue.
- March 2022– CGC 9.2 sold for $3,000,000 in private sale. Confirms the million level for high ranks.
- September 2023– CGC 7.0 sold for $660,000 at Heritage. Shows that even middle grades reach heights.
- June 2024– CGC 4.0 sold for $180,000 on ComicLink. The floor price continues to rise.
- January 2025– CGC 1.0 sold for $32,000 on eBay. Illustrates that every grade finds a taker.
The 10-year trend shows an average appreciation of 12-18% per year depending on grade, making it one of the best alternative investments in the collectibles market, ahead of Pokémon cards and rare stamps.
Investment third party: which grade to aim for depending on your budget
Investing in Amazing Fantasy #15 is possible at different budget levels. Here is the recommended strategy by tier:
Tier 1 — Budget $15,000 to $40,000:Aim for a CGC 0.5 to 1.0. Even in poor condition, AF#15 is a trophy piece that will not lose value. Check that all pages are present (“incomplete” ones trade 30 to 50% lower). A complete 0.5 copy is superior to an incomplete 1.5.
Tier 2 — Budget $100,000 to $200,000:Aim for a CGC 3.0 to 4.0. This is the sweet spot for medium-term investors. These grades historically have the best appreciation/risk ratio. Liquidity is good: you will find a buyer in a few weeks maximum.
Tier 3 — Budget $300,000 and more:Grades 5.0+ fall into the “heritage” category. The appreciation is slower in percentage terms but massive in absolute terms. These copies are often purchased by specialized investment funds (Mythic Markets, Rally).
Detecting a restoration: the Purple Label trap
Restoration is the main risk when purchasing an Amazing Fantasy #15. A restored example loses 40 to 70% of its value compared to an unrestored example of the same apparent grade. Here are the points to watch out for:
The CGC Purple Label:CGC identifies restored examples with a purple label. Do not confuse with Blue Label (universal, unrestored) or Green Label (qualified). An AF#15 in CGC Restored 6.0 is often worth less than a CGC Blue Label 3.0.
Common restoration signs on AF#15:
- Added color (color touch) on worn corners or edge
- Pieces of paper glued to the back to hide tears (piece fill)
- Cover recoloring (cover unusually vibrant for its apparent grade)
- Staples replaced — check that perforations match original holes
- Undeclared professional dry cleaning — legal but some consider the boundary blurred
Advice :For a purchase of this amount, always require an already slabbed CGC Blue Label copy. If the seller offers a raw (ungraded) copy, have it evaluated by an independent restoration check before committing funds. CCS (dry cleaning) and CGC pre-screening services are recommended.
CGC census and absolute rarity
The CGC census (public register of all graded copies) lists in 2026 approximately 4,500 copies of Amazing Fantasy #15, all grades combined. The distribution is very uneven:
- Around 60% of graded specimens are between 0.5 and 3.0
- 25% are between 3.5 and 5.5
- 12% between 6.0 and 8.0
- Less than 3% above 8.0
- Only 3 to 5 copies known in 9.0 or higher
This distribution explains why each grade point above 6.0 results in an exponential increase in price. Competition among collectors for high grades is fierce, and many examples have not changed hands for decades.
Do you own Spider-Man comics?Estimate the value of your collection for freeto know their current rating.