Action Comics #1 (June 1938), the first appearance of Superman, is the most valuable comic book in the world. Even a heavily worn CGC 0.5 copy has sold for about $400,000, a CGC 4.5 brought $1,525,000 at Heritage in July 2026, and a CGC 9.0 sold privately for $15 million in January 2026, the highest price ever paid for a comic.
Below you'll find prices by grade, the latest auction results, how to tell an original from a reprint, and what to do if you think you have one. 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.
Action Comics #1 Value by Grade (2026)
Action Comics #1 trades so rarely that we list the grades that have actually sold in recent years. Prices are for CGC-graded copies with a blue (Universal) label unless noted.
| CGC grade | Typical price | Most recent verified sale |
|---|---|---|
| 0.5 (Poor) | $400,000+ | $408,000 · Heritage · Sep 2023 |
| 2.0 (Good) | $600,000+ | $625,250 (Qualified) · Heritage · Feb 2026 |
| 4.5 (VG+) | $1,500,000+ | $1,525,000 · Heritage · Jul 2026 |
| 6.0 (Fine) | $2,700,000–3,400,000 | $2,760,000 · ComicConnect · Jun 22, 2026 |
| 7.0 (Fine/VF) | $5,000,000 | $5,000,000 · ComicConnect · Jun 4, 2026 |
| 8.5 (VF+) | $6,000,000+ | $6,000,000 · Heritage · Apr 2024 |
| 9.0 (VF/NM) | Record | $15,000,000 · private sale · Jan 9, 2026 |
Restored copies (purple label) sell for a fraction of these prices: a CGC 6.5 Restored brought $384,000 in January 2025 and $427,000 in July 2026, both at Heritage.
Recent Action Comics #1 Sales (2025–2026)
| Date | Grade | Venue | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 2026 | CGC 4.5 | Heritage Auctions | $1,525,000 |
| Jul 2026 | CGC 6.5 Restored | Heritage Auctions | $427,000 |
| Jun 22, 2026 | CGC 6.0 ("Rocket Copy") | ComicConnect | $2,760,000 |
| Jun 4, 2026 | CGC 7.0 | ComicConnect | $5,000,000 |
| Jan 9, 2026 | CGC 9.0 | Private sale (ComicConnect / Metropolis) | $15,000,000 |
Four copies changed hands for seven figures in the first half of 2026 alone, and each sale set a new benchmark for its grade. Demand for this book has never been higher.
Why Action Comics #1 Is So Valuable
Action Comics #1 introduced Superman, created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, and with him the entire superhero genre. It sold for 10 cents in 1938, and most copies were read, traded and thrown away, or lost to paper drives during World War II. Collectors estimate that only around 100 copies survive, and very few of them are in high grade.
No other comic combines that much history with that much scarcity, which is why Action Comics #1 holds the record price for any comic book. It also opened the Golden Age of comics. For the rest of the series, see our Action Comics price guide.
How to Spot an Action Comics #1 Reprint
Almost every "Action Comics #1" found in a closet or at a yard sale is a reprint. DC has reissued it many times. Check these points:
- Size. The 1974 Famous First Edition is a large tabloid-size book (about 10 by 13.5 inches). An original is standard comic size.
- Cover price. The original says 10¢. Any other price means a reprint.
- Edition labels. The Millennium Edition (2000) and later facsimile editions say so on the cover or in the small print on the first page.
- Paper. Originals are on tan to brown newsprint. Bright white or glossy paper means a modern printing.
- Restoration. Missing pages, color touch or replaced pieces cut value sharply, and 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 and we'll tell you whether it's an original, at no cost.
What Affects the Value of Your Copy
For a book this rare, completeness and restoration matter as much as the grade: a complete unrestored copy is worth several times a restored one. Learn more in how condition affects comic book value, raw vs graded comics and CGC vs CBCS. For how grades are assigned, 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
- Superman #1 value: Superman's first solo comic (1939)
- Detective Comics #27 value: first Batman
- Batman #1 value
- Action Comics price guide
- DC comic price guide
- Most valuable DC comics
- Comic book price guide
Action Comics #1 FAQ
How much is Action Comics #1 worth?
A CGC-graded Action Comics #1 is worth about $400,000 in the lowest grade (0.5), around $1.5 million in 4.5, $2.7–3.4 million in 6.0 and $5 million in 7.0. Restored copies sell for less, usually $380,000–430,000 in mid grade.
What is the most expensive copy of Action Comics #1?
A CGC 9.0 copy sold privately for $15 million in January 2026. It is the highest price ever paid for a comic book.
How many copies of Action Comics #1 exist?
Collectors estimate that around 100 copies survive, and only a handful grade above 6.0. That scarcity is a big part of its value.
How can I tell if my Action Comics #1 is real?
An original is standard comic size, has a 10¢ cover price and tan newsprint pages. Oversized copies are the 1974 Famous First Edition, and copies marked Millennium Edition or facsimile are modern reprints. Comic Buying Center will check your copy for free.
