A Superman #1 comic (Summer 1939) is worth about $200,000 even in CGC 2.0 and around $300,000 in 3.0. A CGC 6.5 brought $1,220,000 at Heritage in February 2026, and a CGC 9.0 sold for $9.12 million in November 2025, a record for the issue.
Below you'll find prices by grade, recent sales, how to tell an original from the many reprints, and what to do if you have a copy. We buy comic books in Chicago and the suburbs and handle Golden Age books every week. If you'd rather sell comic books than research them, we can make you an offer.
Superman #1 Value by Grade (2026)
Prices are for CGC-graded copies with a blue (Universal) label. Restored and conserved copies sell for much less.
| CGC grade | Typical price | Most recent verified sale |
|---|---|---|
| 2.0 (Good) | $190,000–210,000 | $196,905 · ComicConnect · Jun 2024 |
| 3.0 (Good/VG) | $300,000 | $300,000 · Heritage · Nov 16, 2023 |
| 4.5 (VG+) | $350,000+ | $348,000 · 2020 |
| 6.5 (Fine+) | $1,200,000+ | $1,220,000 · Heritage · Feb 2026 |
| 9.0 (VF/NM) | Record | $9,120,000 · Heritage · Nov 20, 2025 |
Restoration makes a big difference: a CGC Conserved 5.5 with a married cover sold for $82,350 at Heritage in May 2026, a fraction of an unrestored copy in that range.
Recent Superman #1 Sales
| Date | Grade | Venue | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2026 | CGC Conserved 5.5 (married cover) | Heritage Auctions | $82,350 |
| Feb 2026 | CGC 6.5 | Heritage Auctions | $1,220,000 |
| Nov 20, 2025 | CGC 9.0 | Heritage Auctions | $9,120,000 |
| Jun 2024 | CGC 2.0 | ComicConnect | $196,905 |
The November 2025 record copy was found by three brothers in their late mother's attic in California, a reminder that great books still turn up in family collections.
Why Superman #1 Is So Valuable
Superman #1 was the first comic book devoted to a single superhero. Created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, it reprinted Superman's early stories from Action Comics #1–#4 and added a new, expanded origin, including Superman's arrival on Earth and his adoptive parents. Its cover, Superman leaping over Metropolis, is one of the most famous images of the Golden Age.
Few copies survive in any grade, and unrestored copies above 6.0 are extremely rare. For the rest of the title, see our Superman price guide.
How to Spot a Superman #1 Reprint
- Size. The Famous First Edition reprint is oversized (tabloid format). An original is standard comic size, about 64 pages.
- Cover price. The original says 10¢.
- Edition labels. Millennium Edition and facsimile reprints say so on the cover or in the indicia.
- Paper. Originals are on tan to brown newsprint, not white paper.
- Restoration. Color touch, replaced pieces or a cover "married" from another copy lower the value sharply. CGC marks these copies with a purple or green label.
Not sure what you have? Send us a few photos through our free comic book appraisal.
What Affects the Value of Your Copy
Completeness and restoration matter as much as the grade number. Learn more in how condition affects comic book value, raw vs graded comics and CGC vs CBCS, or see our comic book grading guide.
Own a Copy? Get a Free Appraisal
If you're searching for this value, there's a good chance the comic is in your hands. Comic Buying Center buys Golden Age keys, single books and whole collections, and we pay on the spot. Our appraisal is free and there's no obligation to sell.
- Send photos of the front cover, back cover and first page
- Get an honest estimate based on current sales, not guide prices
- Visit us in Libertyville or sell comic books in Chicago and the suburbs without shipping anything
Related Value Guides
- Action Comics #1 value: first Superman
- Superman #75 value: the Death of Superman
- Detective Comics #27 value: first Batman
- Superman price guide
- DC comic price guide
- Most valuable DC comics
- Comic book price guide
Superman #1 FAQ
How much is Superman #1 worth?
An unrestored CGC-graded Superman #1 is worth about $200,000 in 2.0, around $300,000 in 3.0 and over $1.2 million in 6.5. Restored copies sell for much less, around $80,000 in mid grade.
What is the most expensive Superman #1 sale?
A CGC 9.0 copy sold for $9.12 million at Heritage Auctions in November 2025, the highest price ever paid for this issue.
How many Superman #1 comics exist?
Only a few hundred copies are believed to survive, and unrestored copies above 6.0 are very rare. The $9.12 million copy is one of the finest known.
How can I tell if my Superman #1 is real?
An original is standard comic size with a 10¢ cover price and tan newsprint pages. Oversized Famous First Editions and copies marked Millennium Edition or facsimile are reprints. We will check your copy for free.
