Collect Amazing Spider-Man #1-100 (Silver Age, 1963-1971):full budget estimated from $200,000 for mid-grade (4.0-6.0) to more than $2 million for high-grade (8.0+). Ultra-rare numbers: #1 (CGC 6.0 = $80,000-120,000), #14 (1st Green Goblin = $8,000-15,000 in 7.0), #50 ("No More" = $8,000-12,000 in 7.0). Recommended strategy: complete in mixed grades over 5-10 years.
Collect the first 100 issuesAmazing Spider-Manis the holy grail of any Spider-Man collector. This period (March 1963 to September 1971) covers the entirety of the Stan Lee era, the groundbreaking drawings of Steve Ditko (#1-38) and then John Romita Sr. (#39-100), and the introduction of virtually every classic supporting character in the franchise.
This guide is designed for the ambitious collector who is seriously considering building a complete #1-100 run. We detail the rarity levels, the grades typically available, the pitfalls to avoid and the strategies for progressively building such a set.
Tiers of rarity: the five categories of numbers
Not all top 100 issues are equal in terms of rarity and price. Here is the segmentation:
Tier S — The “Big Keys” (3 issues):
- ASM #1 (March 1963):First regular series. CGC 4.0 = $30,000-45,000, CGC 6.0 = $80,000-120,000. The most expensive number of the run after AF#15.
- ASM #14 (July 1964):First appearance of the Green Goblin. CGC 6.0 = $5,000-8,000, CGC 8.0 = $15,000-25,000.
- ASM #50 (July 1967):“Spider-Man No More!” CGC 6.0 = $3,000-5,000, CGC 8.0 = $12,000-20,000.
Tier A — Major key issues (8-10 numbers):
- #2 (Vulture), #3 (Doc Ock), #4 (Sandman), #6 (Lizard), #9 (Electro), #13 (Mysterio), #15 (Kraven), #20 (Scorpion), #28 (Molten Man 1st) — each between $2,000 and $10,000 in CGC 6.0
Tier B — Key secondary issues (15-20 numbers):
- #31 (Gwen Stacy 1st), #39 (Romita 1st issue), #40 (Green Goblin origin), #42 (MJ face reveal), #86 (Black Widow new costume) — between $500 and $3,000 in CGC 6.0
Tier C — Intermediate numbers (30-40 numbers):
- Crossovers, guest stars, secondary character development — between $200 and $800 in CGC 6.0
Tier D — “Filler” issues (30-40 numbers):
- Issues without a major first appearance or key event — between $100 and $400 in CGC 6.0
Grades typically available by number range
The older the number, the rarer the high ranks. Here's what you can reasonably find:
| Slice | Average grade available | 8.0+ exists? | 9.0+ exists? |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1-10 (1963-1964) | 2.0-4.0 | Very rare, expensive | Some known examples |
| #11-30 (1964-1965) | 3.0-5.0 | Rare but available | Rare, premium auction |
| #31-50 (1966-1967) | 4.0-6.0 | Available regularly | Uncommon but existing |
| #51-75 (1967-1969) | 5.0-7.0 | Relatively accessible | Available with patience |
| #76-100 (1969-1971) | 5.0-7.0 | Accessible | Available |
Gradual construction strategy
Building a run #1-100 is a 5-10 year project for most collectors. Here is the recommended strategy:
Phase 1 — The “easy” ones (#51-100):Start with the most accessible and available numbers. Budget: $15,000-40,000 in grades 5.0-7.0. These numbers allow you to quickly build the skeleton of the run and stay motivated.
Phase 2 — Mid-range (#21-50):Gradually move up to older, more expensive numbers. Budget: $20,000-60,000 in grades 4.0-6.0. Include keys from Tier B (#31, #39, #40, #42).
Phase 3 — Rarities (#2-20):The first major appearances require patience and budget. Budget: $30,000-80,000 in grades 3.0-5.0. Wait for good deals at conventions or estate sales.
Phase 4 — ASM #1:Save #1 for last. It is the most expensive and symbolic piece. Budget: $25,000-120,000 depending on the grade targeted. A CGC 2.0-3.0 is a realistic goal for most collectors.
Common pitfalls and mistakes
Silver Age ASM collectors frequently make these mistakes:
- Buy restored copies without knowing it:Comics from this era have often been restored (color touch, piece fill, trimming). ONLY purchase CGC Blue Label copies for key issues. The Purple Label (restored) is discounted by 50-70%.
- Aiming for grades that are too high:A full run in 8.0+ would cost several million. Accept mixed grades (3.0-7.0) to stay within a realistic budget.
- Ignore married covers:Some unscrupulous sellers replace the cover of an issue with that of a better preserved copy. CGC detects this but always check the type label.
- Buy an entire run at once:"ASM #1-100 Complete" lots sold as a set are often low grades with hidden issues. Build number by number to control quality.
- Neglecting the origin:A known pedigree (Pacific Coast, Don/Maggie Thompson, Bowling Green) adds 20-50% value. Search CGC pedigrees for the best long-term deals.
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