The Silver Age of Comics was a very important era that not only saved the comic book industry but also cemented it’s two giants (Marvel and DC Comics) as the two most dominating forces. As we know now they would not only rule over the comic book industry but later they would become two of the most popular powerhouses in the entertainment industry in general. Not only this, but most of our favourite characters also debuted during this period. Which is why the original prints of Silver Age Comics are now so expensive.
Whilst the demand is the biggest deciding factor, if the condition is bad it can tank the value of the comic. High end comic sales are graded by the CGC Scale. If the number of copies of a comic that are in good condition is rare this will have a massive effect.
We’ve compiled a list the most expensive silver age comics of all time using data from Comics and Collectibles Near Me and Sell My Comic Books (as well as various other sources). Bear in mind, whilst this list was accurate at the time of writing, sales are made all the time and records are constantly broken.
Here are the…
Top 27 Most Valuable Silver Age Comics
1. Amazing Fantasy #15 (1962) – $3.6 Million – CGC 9.6
It’s not really much of a surprise that the origin and first appearance of Spider-Man would be the most valuable comic given his popularity but the record sale for this comic was a whopping $3.6 Million for CGC 9.6 copy.
2. Fantastic Four #1 (1961) – $2.4 Million – CGC 9.6
The first appearance and origin of the Fantastic Four (as well as Mole Man). This is arguably one of the most important comics ever printed as it gave way to the creation of the Marvel Universe as we know it. As far as Marvel Comics is concerned this issue was the genesis.
3. Amazing Spider-Man #1 (1963) – $1.38 Million – CGC 9.8
This one is the first issue of Spider-Man’s first title. It’s also the first Fantastic Four crossover which would pave the way for many more to come. The record issue, which sold for $1.38 million, was graded at a near mint CGC 9.8 but this is a bit of an anomaly for this one as most issues that turn up are usually 3.0 – 5.0.
4. Showcase #4 (1956) – $900k – CGC 9.6
This issue is very special. Not only did it give us the first appearance of Barry Allen, it’s the issue that kicked off the silver age that would save the wider comic industry. This would also begin DC’s Silver Age trend of rebooting characters with a more modern twist. Without this book their would be no Silver Age at all! The record sale was for $900k with the copy being graded CGC 9.6.
5. Uncanny X-Men #1 (1963) – $871,999 – CGC 9.6
Originally just named X-Men but later renamed to Uncanny X-Men with #114 The first appearance of both the X-Men and Magneto. It’s very hard to get these with an all white cover it’s normal for them to be slightly yellow in colour. The record breaker sold for $871,999 graded CGC 9.6.
6. Tales of Suspense #39 (1963) $840,00 – CGC 9.8
The first appearance of Tony Stark. Once upon a time he would not have been mentioned in the rankings of characters carrying the most popularity but this all changed when Iron Man became an integral part of the MCU. The value of this issue has since sky rocketed in value. Record sale for this little number reached $840,000 for a near mint CGC 9.8.
7. Incredible Hulk #1 (1962) – $825,000 – CGC 9.2
The first appearance of the Incredible Hulk. In his first appearance he was grey and wouldn’t adopt his more recognisable green colour until Incredible Hulk #2 (1962). Hulk has always been one of the more popular Marvel characters. The record sale fetched $825,000 for a CGC 9.2.
8. Brave and the Bold #28 (1960) – $810,000 – CGC 9.6
The first appearance of DC’s top super team, Justice League. Who were also the first super team of the silver age. The record sale for this important piece was $810,000 for CGC 9.6.
9. Journey Into Mystery #83 (1962) – $432,000 – CGC 9.4
The first appearance of Thor (the Marvel version not the original norse god those stories came 100s of years earlier). This is another issue that has increase in value with Thor’s popularity in the MCU. The record was $432,000 for CGC 9.4.
10. Avengers #1 (1963) – $432,000 – CGC 9.4
The origin and first appearance of the Avengers. Again this is an issue that has increased in value with the MCU popularity boost. Groups like the Fantastic Four and X-Men used to be much more popular. But when Fox bought the rights to these characters Disney had to work with the characters they were left with. Which ended pretty lucratively to say the least. Now everybody loves the Avengers. The record sale for this issue was $432,000 for CGC 9.4.
11. Daredevil #1 (1964) – $360,000 – CGC 9.8
The first appearance of Daredevil. His iconic red costume wouldn’t make it’s debut until Daredevil #7 (1965) when he battled Namor, the Sub-Mariner. Daredevil is my favourite character by far and always has been since I was very young. The record sale for this issue was $360,000 for a near mint CGC 9.8.
12. Justice League of America #1 (1960) – $348,000 – CGC 9.6
The first Justice League solo title. A very important silver age comic. The record sale was $348,000 for CGC 9.6.
13. Amazing Spider-Man #14 (1964) – $210,000 – CGC 9.8
The first appearance of Spider-Man’s arch nemesis, Green Goblin. Sold for $210,000 for CGC 9.8.
14. Showcase #34 (1961) – $230,000 – CGC Unspecified
First appearance of the Silver Age Atom. $230,000 for CGC Unspecified.
15. Tales to Astonish #27 (1962) – $200,000 – CGC 9.4
First appearance of Hank Pym (Ant-Man). This issue is said to be pretty rare. The record sale was for $200,000 for CGC 9.4.
16. Fantastic Four #49 (1966) – $192,000 – CGC 9.8
Second of appearance of Silver Surfer but his first cover appearance. The record sale was at $192,000 for a near mint CGC 9.8.
17. Fantastic Four #5 (1962) – $180,00 – CGC 9.2
The origin and first appearance of Dr Doom. The record sale was $180,00 at CGC 9.2.
18. Amazing Spider-Man #4 (1963) – $174,000 – CGC 9.6
The origin and first appearance of the iconic Sandman. Appearing in Spider-Man 3 and Spider-Man: No Way Home played by a perfect casting choice in Thomas Haden Church, the character has always been a staple in Spider-Man’s rogue gallery. The record sale was $174,000 for a CGC 9.6.
19. Amazing Spider-Man #2 (1963) – $168,000 – CGC 9.6
The first appearance of the Vulture. Another member of Spider-Man’s iconic rogues gallery, this time seen on screen played by Michael Keaton in Spider-Man: Homecoming. This issue fetched $168,000 for CGC 9.6.
20. Strange Tales #110 (1963) – $72,000 – CGC Undisclosed
First appearance of Doctor Strange. He was always one of the most interesting Marvel characters but he’s also another character who didn’t see real popularity until playing an integral role in the MCU. The record sale was $72,000 for CGC Undisclosed.
21. Showcase #22 (1959) – $149,375 – CGC 9.2
Another incredibly important issue for DC Comics during the Silver Age, the first appearance of Silver Age Green Lantern, Hal Jordan. He would become one of the characters most integral to the Silver Age of Comics and also some of the deepest lore DC Comics has to offer. The record sale for this particular issue is $149,375 for CGC 9.2
22. Amazing Spider-Man #3 (1963) – $144,000 – CGC Undisclosed
The first appearance of Doctor Octopus. Easily one of the most iconic and recognisable Spider-Man villains. Brought to life on the big screen by Aldred Molina in one of the greatest comic book movies of all time Spider-Man 2 and later reappearing the nostalgia-bait-flick Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021). The record sale for this issue was $144,000.
23. Avengers #4 (1964) – $143,000 – CGC 9.6
The first silver age appearance of Captain America after disappearing for a while and also the first appearance of Baron Zemo. The record sale for this issue is $143,000 for CGC 9.6.
24. Detective Comics #359 (1967) – $132,000 – CGC 9.8
The first appearance of Barbara Gordon as Batgirl paving the way for a wider Bat-Family. This issue fetched $132,000 in January 2021 for a near mint/mint CGC 9.8.
25. Silver Surfer #1 (1968) – $132,000 – CGC 9.8
The first Silver Surfer title. Fetched $132,000 for near mint/mint CGC 9.8 in January 2024.
26. Amazing Spider-Man #9 (1963) – $132,000 – CGC 9.8
First appearance of yet another iconic Spider-Man villain, Electro. Record sale for this issue is $132,00 for CGC 9.8.
27. Fantastic Four #48 (1966) – $108,000 – CGC 9.8
The origin and first appearance of Galactus and the Silver Surfer, two incredibly iconic Marvel characters. The record sale for this issue was $108,000 for a near mint CGC 9.8 in 2018.
Summary
Silver Age Comics gave us most of our favourite characters and saved the comic book industry in the process. Stands to reason why Silver Age Comics are now so expensive. Here’s a quick recap of the 27 most expensive silver age comics:
- Amazing Fantasy #15 (1962) – $3.6 Million – CGC 9.6
- Fantastic Four #1 (1961) – $2.4 Million – CGC 9.6
- Amazing Spider-Man #1 (1963) – $1.38 Million – CGC 9.8
- Showcase #4 (1956) – $900,000 – CGC 9.6
- Uncanny X-Men #1 (1963) – $871,999 – CGC 9.6
- Tales of Suspense #39 (1963) – $840,00 – CGC 9.8
- Incredible Hulk #1 (1962) – $825,000 – CGC 9.2
- Brave and the Bold #28 (1960) – $810,000 – CGC 9.6
- Journey Into Mystery #83 (1962) – $432,000 – CGC 9.4
- Avengers #1 (1963) – $432,000 – CGC 9.4
- Daredevil #1 (1964) – $360,000 – CGC 9.8
- Justice League of America #1 (1960) – $348,000 – CGC 9.6
- Amazing Spider-Man #14 (1964) – $210,000 – CGC 9.8
- Showcase #34 (1961) – $230,000 – CGC Unspecified
- Tales to Astonish #27 (1962) – $200,000 – CGC 9.4
- Fantastic Four #49 (1966) – $192,000 – CGC 9.8
- Fantastic Four #5 (1962) – $180,00 – CGC 9.2
- Amazing Spider-Man #4 (1963) – $174,000 – CGC 9.6
- Amazing Spider-Man #2 (1963) – $168,000 – CGC 9.6
- Strange Tales #110 (1963) – $72,000 – CGC Undisclosed
- Showcase #22 (1959) – $149,375 – CGC 9.2
- Amazing Spider-Man #3 (1963) – $144,000 – CGC Undisclosed
- Avengers #4 (1964) – $143,000 – CGC 9.6
- Detective Comics #359 (1967) – $132,000 – CGC 9.8
- Silver Surfer #1 (1968) – $132,000 – CGC 9.8
- Amazing Spider-Man #9 (1963) – $132,000 – CGC 9.8
- Fantastic Four #48 (1966) – $108,000 – CGC
