By Benjamin Nobel, based on the pence variant research of Stephen Cranch
Menu: Introduction; Top 50 Silver; Top 50 Bronze; Further Reading; Full Issue Guide [ Jump: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Z ]
Greetings, fellow collector! This is an issue guide for Pence Price Variants from Marvel & DC based on the extensive research of Stephen Cranch. Huge thanks to Steve; creating this guide without his input would have been like trying to stand up and walk without a backbone! (Note: Archie, Charlton, Dell, Gold Key and King Comics also published pence price variants but this inaugural issue guide will cover just Marvel & DC).
What is a pence price variant? If you’re already familiar, skip ahead to the 2019 Top 50 lists or the full guide. If you’re new to pence price variants, next is a brief introduction to hopefully pique your interest:
| Introduction To Pence Price Variants |
The very first thing to learn is that these weird-looking things below…
… are all examples of prices! Readers from the U.K. already know this (so bear with me), but many other readers may be asking, in surprise, “Those weird things are prices?” Yes! Prices. I live in the USA, drive on the right-hand side of the road and pay for comics in dollars and cents, but my friend Steve meanwhile lives in Britain, drives on the left-hand side of the road and pays for comics in pounds and pence — and those symbols pictured above are telling us the cost in pence!
You saw a variety of symbols: d‘s and p‘s and the funny-looking “1/-” which may strike some readers as quite a lot of letters & symbols to denote comic book prices in Britain!?
Before decimalization, nine pence was written “9d”; after decimalization, nine pence was written “9p”.
Funny story: you know how in the USA there are 100 pennies to 1 dollar? In Britain it is 100 pence to 1 pound, but that wasn’t always the case: before 1971 there were 240 pence to 1 pound. No joke! Back in those days, pence prices were denoted with a ‘d‘ — nine pence would be “9d” (and the “1/-” symbol denotes a “shilling”; back then, 1 shilling was equal to 12 pence). Then in 1971, Britain went through what is referred to as “decimalization” — resetting to 100 pence to 1 pound — and from that point forward pence prices began to be denoted with a ‘p‘.
And with that handy bit of knowledge, you, dear reader, are now out ahead of your American comic-collecting peers when it comes to understanding pence variants; most of your American friends look at those symbols and shrug their shoulders but you now know that those are prices.
Here’s the second important thing you should learn about pence price variants: they are actually first print originals printed in the USA, published simultaneously with their U.S. cents counter-parts by the same original publisher. The Marvels are U.S.-published Marvels; the DC’s are U.S.-published DC’s… And they are all first print Type 1A Cover Price Variants!
OK: I just used a term you may (or may not) know: “Type 1A Cover Price Variant” has now been floating around in the comic collecting nomenclature since 2010 when the Overstreet Price Guide published an article by comic book historian (and Senior Overstreet Advisor) Jon McClure, entitled “A History of Publisher Experimentation and Variant Comic Books”. His most recent definition of Type 1A cover price variants is as follows:
Type 1A: U.S. Published Foreign Distribution Variants
Cover Price Variants intended for foreign distribution with limited regional distribution, published simultaneously with standard or “regular” editions. In the majority of cases, the indicia and all aspects of the book are identical to regular U.S. editions except for the cover price. In some instances other alterations may be present. These may include missing or different cover dates, regional indicia details and variant company logos. Other minor alterations may also be present.
What Jon’s Type 1A definition basically means is that Pence Price Variants were…
… ♬ B-O-O-O-O-R-N IN THE U-S-A ♫: The comics were printed at the same time and in the same location (on the same presses; same paper; same ink) as their U.S. cents priced counterparts, but with pence-only printed prices and, in the early years, alternative indicias and sometimes missing cover dates as well. There is currently no evidence to determine which batch were printed first — cents or pence — or whether they alternated.
Now onto the third important fact you should know about pence price variants: The U.K. is smaller than the USA in population. Much smaller. In 1970, according to the U.S. Census and World Bank data, the USA had a population of just over 205 million people. The U.K. meanwhile had a population of just under 56 million people in that same year.
Jon McClure estimates original print run for the pence price variants equivalent to approximately 5% of U.S. print run size.
With such a huge disparity in market size, you can already see that if you “zoom out” and look at any given issue number where a pence price variant exists, that variant is going to be a relatively small percentage of the total copies sold for that issue worldwide. In his 2010 article, Jon McClure estimates original print run for the pence price variants equivalent to approximately 5% of U.S. print run size, but with an estimated survival rate of only 1-2% of total copies (with many of those survivors suffering damage from the overseas shipping).
That’s 1-2% of total copies he is citing; but it is also important to realize that at time of distribution, 100% of the local comic book marketplace within the U.K. received the pence price variants (when they exist). In other words, if you were a comic collector in the U.K. and there was a pence variant for sale for a given issue, that pence variant was your only choice at time of distribution; if you wanted a “regular” U.S. cents copy of that same issue, you had to rely on the after-market for imported copies (you had to find your nearest comic book dealer).
Left: each Type 1A variant issue that exists also had a “regular” counter-part distributed in Canada. Right: When a Pence variant exists, it was the only type distributed in the U.K. for that issue.
Let’s think about that last point for a moment, as a contrast to the newsstand-exclusive Type 1A Canadian price variants of the 1980’s during which there were two types of each issue distributed in Canada whenever a price variant exists: newsstand copies (the Type 1A variants) and direct edition copies (the “regular” copies — which were identical to the ones sold in the USA).
In his Canadian Newsstand Cover Price VARIANTS 2018-2019 Market Report, Senior Overstreet Advisor Doug Sulipa walks through his scarcity estimates for the Type 1A Canadian price variants from Marvel & DC and shows that if we consider two stacks of comics originally sold in Canada for an illustrative issue — a newsstand stack and a direct edition stack — and we adjust those two stacks for survivorship differences, that the size of the surviving direct edition stack is 3x larger than the size of the newsstand stack. Thus, the Type 1A Canadian price variants are the more locally-rare type there, and that’s before thinking about the 10x larger separate stack representing the U.S. market!
That’s an important contrast to understand when thinking about pence price variants so let’s repeat the point: Canada was distributed two types for each issue (“regular” and “variant”) whereas the U.K. market was distributed one type — just the pence price variants (when they exist).
Collectors within in the U.K. may therefore not view the variants as “locally-rare”; thus, collectors from the USA and Canada (and elsewhere) can find opportunities to acquire the more-rare Type 1A variants at bargain prices from U.K. sellers who do not recognize what they own as being anything special.
If you’ve made it this far into the introduction, you are now way out ahead of the pack among your fellow collectors in understanding pence price variants because you now understand both the main problems/challenges the pence price variants face as a “class” of collectibles, as well as the main opportunities.
Whether your comic buying budget is small or large, there are interesting pence price variants out there for you!
If your interest in the opportunities for pence price variants as collectibles has been piqued, you’ll next be interested to learn how the “price variant window” is wonderfully large, producing a great many interesting major and minor key issues in a range that truly has something for everyone: you can find something interesting with a budget of as little as 5 dollars all the way to as high as 5 figures!
And that’s because this large price variant window spans all the way back to May of 1960 for Marvel (marking the cover date of the first known single 9d price printed comics, Gunsmoke Western #58 and Journey Into Mystery #58), and July of 1971 for DC, and ends way out in December 1981 for Marvel and September of 1981 for DC (the last cover month before consistent dual pence/cents pricing commenced on Direct Edition comics, thus effectively ending the need for and existence of pence-only priced variants).
This window gives us Silver Age plus Bronze Age variants to hunt for, but pence variants do not exist for all titles published during the window and even when they do exist there are often frustrating “gaps” in runs. Marvel produced 6,546 comics between the confirmed pence dates of May 1960 to December 1981, covering 200 titles, but a total of only 3,019 first printing Marvel pence price variants are today known to exist — about 46%. For DC, 840 pence variants are known to exist.
Which specific pence variants actually exist? Enter the Issue Guide! Below, you will find Top 50 lists for the Silver and Bronze ages, and beneath those lists you will find each and every Marvel and DC title where pence variants have ever been found to date. Click any title to reach the issue guide page for that title. Key issues (such as 1st appearances of important characters) are noted throughout the guide; we also note the cover price found on the pence price variants, the CGC census count of variants (when found), and the baseline (non-variant) 2019 issue value in NM-. Steve’s research has revealed certain date ranges where the pence variant indicia is assumed to contain regional distributor details — issues within these ranges have special notes throughout the guide but readers should note that not all issues have actually been checked.
Steve and I hope you enjoy the guide! Have any questions or suggestions? Spot any mistakes? Or just want to chat about pence price variants? Tell us what’s on your mind, we’ll be glad to hear from you!
| Top 50 Silver Age Pence Price Variants |
| Baseline values shown are 2019 non-variant value in 9.2; Census data shown is as of 11/13/2018 |
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1
|
 |
| Amazing Fantasy #15 |
| Marvel Comics, 9/1962 |
1st Appearances of Spider-Man, Peter Parker, Aunt May, Uncle Ben, and Flash Thompson; Origin of Spider-Man; Death of Uncle Ben
Ben notes: Indicia reads 9/1962 on both regular copies and pence copies; however, the cover of regular copies reads “Aug” under the issue number while the month was omitted from the cover of the pence copies. As a result, CGC catalogs the regular copies with an 8/1962 census entry (going by the cover month) but meanwhile catalogs the pence copies with a 9/1962 census entry (going by the indicia). This gives the unfortunate false impression of the pence price variant being a later month reprint instead of a first print original.
Steve notes: Pence indicia contains regional distributor details; missing cover date. |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $375,000 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 9d |
| Pence Variants on Census: |
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2
|
 |
| Incredible Hulk #1 |
| Marvel Comics, 5/1962 |
1st Appearances of the Incredible Hulk, Rick Jones, Betty Ross, and General Ross; Origin of the Incredible Hulk
Steve notes: Pence indicia contains regional distributor details; missing cover date. |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $265,000 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 9d |
| Pence Variants on Census: |
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|
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3
|
 |
| Fantastic Four #1 |
| Marvel Comics, 11/1961 |
1st Appearances of Fantastic Four, Invisible Girl (Sue Storm), Human Torch (Johnny Storm), Thing (Ben Grimm), Mole Man (Harvey Elder), Mr. Fantastic (Reed Richards); Origin of Fantastic Four
Steve notes: Pence indicia contains regional distributor details; missing cover date. |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $160,000 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 9d |
| Pence Variants on Census: |
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|
|
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4
|
 |
| Journey into Mystery #83 |
| Marvel Comics, 8/1962 |
1st Appearances of Thor, Dr. Donald Blake, Stone Men from Saturn, and Korg; Origin of Thor
Steve notes: Pence indicia contains regional distributor details; missing cover date. |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $80,000 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 9d |
| Pence Variants on Census: |
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|
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5
|
 |
| Amazing Spider-Man #1 |
| Marvel Comics, 3/1963 |
1st Appearances of Chameleon, J. Jonah Jameson, and John Jameson; Origin of Spider-Man retold
Steve notes: Pence indicia contains regional distributor details; missing cover date. |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $72,000 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 9d |
| Pence Variants on Census: |
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|
|
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6
|
 |
| X-Men #1 |
| Marvel Comics, 9/1963 |
1st Appearances of Angel (Warren Worthington III), Beast (Hank McCoy), Cyclops (Scott Summers), Iceman (Bobby Drake), Magneto, Marvel Girl (Jean Grey), Professor X, and X-Men; Origin of X-Men
Steve notes: Pence indicia contains regional distributor details; missing cover date. |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $50,000 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 9d |
| Pence Variants on Census: |
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|
|
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7
|
 |
| Tales of Suspense #39 |
| Marvel Comics, 3/1963 |
1st Appearances of Iron Man (Tony Stark), Yinsen, and Wong-Chu; Origin of Iron Man
Steve notes: Pence indicia contains regional distributor details; missing cover date. |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $50,000 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 9d |
| Pence Variants on Census: |
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|
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8
|
 |
| Tales to Astonish #27 |
| Marvel Comics, 1/1962 |
1st Appearances of Ant-Man (out of costume) and Hijacker
Steve notes: Pence indicia contains regional distributor details; missing cover date. |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $48,000 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 9d |
| Pence Variants on Census: |
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|
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9
|
 |
| Avengers #1 |
| Marvel Comics, 9/1963 |
1st Appearance of the Avengers; Origin of the Avengers
Steve notes: Pence indicia contains regional distributor details; missing cover date. |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $42,000 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 9d |
| Pence Variants on Census: |
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|
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10
|
 |
| Fantastic Four #5 |
| Marvel Comics, 7/1962 |
1st Appearance of Doctor Doom; Origin of Doctor Doom
Steve notes: Pence indicia contains regional distributor details; missing cover date. |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $20,000 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 9d |
| Pence Variants on Census: |
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11
|
 |
| Strange Tales #110 |
| Marvel Comics, 7/1963 |
1st Appearances of Doctor Strange, The Ancient One, Wong, Nightmare, and the Amulet of Agamotto
Steve notes: Pence indicia contains regional distributor details; missing cover date. |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $19,000 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 9d |
| Pence Variants on Census: |
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12
|
 |
| Fantastic Four #2 |
| Marvel Comics, 1/1962 |
1st Appearance of Skrulls; Second appearance of Fantastic Four
Steve notes: Pence indicia contains regional distributor details; missing cover date. |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $15,000 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 9d |
| Pence Variants on Census: |
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13
|
 |
| Fantastic Four #4 |
| Marvel Comics, 5/1962 |
1st Appearance of Giganto; Death of Giganto; 1st Silver Age Sub-Mariner appearance
Steve notes: Pence indicia contains regional distributor details; missing cover date. |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $15,000 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 9d |
| Pence Variants on Census: |
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14
|
 |
| Fantastic Four #3 |
| Marvel Comics, 3/1962 |
1st Appearances of Miracle Man, the Baxter Building, Fantasti-Car, Fantasti-Copter, and Pogo Plane; Fantastic Four don costumes and establish headquarters; Origin retold
Steve notes: Pence indicia contains regional distributor details; missing cover date. |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $14,000 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 9d |
| Pence Variants on Census: |
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15
|
 |
| Amazing Spider-Man #2 |
| Marvel Comics, 5/1963 |
1st Appearances of Mysterio (as alien), Tinkerer, and Vulture
Steve notes: First ‘Marvel Comics Group’ Price Boxes
Steve notes: Pence indicia contains regional distributor details; missing cover date. |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $13,500 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 9d |
| Pence Variants on Census: none |
|
|
16
|
 |
| Sgt. Fury and His Howling Commandos #1 |
| Marvel Comics, 12/1963 |
1st Appearances of Sgt. Nick Fury, Dum Dum Dugan, General Samuel Sawyer, Robert Ralston, Junior Juniper, Gabriel Jones, Izzy Cohen, and Dino Manelli
Steve notes: Pence indicia contains regional distributor details; missing cover date. |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $13,000 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 9d |
| Pence Variants on Census: |
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17
|
 |
| Fantastic Four #12 |
| Marvel Comics, 3/1963 |
1st Appearance of The Wrecker I (Dr. Karl Kort); 1st meeting of the Fantastic Four and the Incredible Hulk
Steve notes: Pence indicia contains regional distributor details; missing cover date. |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $13,000 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 9d |
| Pence Variants on Census: none |
|
|
18
|
 |
| Incredible Hulk #2 |
| Marvel Comics, 7/1962 |
1st Appearance of Toad Men; 1st Green Hulk; 2nd appearance of Hulk
Steve notes: Pence indicia contains regional distributor details; missing cover date. |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $12,500 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 9d |
| Pence Variants on Census: |
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19
|
 |
| Tales to Astonish #35 |
| Marvel Comics, 9/1962 |
1st Appearance of Ant-Man (in costume); 2nd Appearance of Ant-Man
Steve notes: Pence indicia contains regional distributor details; missing cover date. |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $11,500 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 9d |
| Pence Variants on Census: |
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20
|
 |
| Amazing Spider-Man #3 |
| Marvel Comics, 7/1963 |
1st Appearance of Doctor Octopus; Origin of Doctor Octopus
Steve notes: Pence indicia contains regional distributor details; missing cover date. |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $11,000 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 9d |
| Pence Variants on Census: none |
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|
21
|
 |
| Daredevil #1 |
| Marvel Comics, 4/1964 |
1st Appearances of Daredevil, Karen Page, and Foggy Nelson; Origin of Daredevil
Steve notes: Pence indicia contains regional distributor details; missing cover date. |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $11,000 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 9d |
| Pence Variants on Census: |
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22
|
 |
| Amazing Spider-Man #4 |
| Marvel Comics, 9/1963 |
1st Appearances of Betty Brant, Sandman, and Liz Allen; Origin of Sandman
Steve notes: Pence indicia contains regional distributor details; missing cover date. |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $8,400 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 9d |
| Pence Variants on Census: |
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23
|
 |
| Strange Tales #89 |
| Marvel Comics, 10/1961 |
1st Appearance of Fin Fang Foom; Origin of Fin Fang Foom
Steve notes: Pence indicia contains regional distributor details; missing cover date. |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $8,000 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 9d |
| Pence Variants on Census: |
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24
|
 |
| Journey into Mystery #84 |
| Marvel Comics, 9/1962 |
1st Appearances of Executioner and Jane Foster; 2nd Appearance of Thor
Steve notes: Pence indicia contains regional distributor details; missing cover date. |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $8,000 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 9d |
| Pence Variants on Census: none |
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|
25
|
 |
| Avengers #4 |
| Marvel Comics, 3/1964 |
1st Appearance of Baron Zemo (Heinrich Zemo); Death of Bucky (James Barnes); Revival of Captain America (1st Silver Age appearance), who joins the Avengers
Steve notes: Pence indicia contains regional distributor details; missing cover date. |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $8,000 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 9d |
| Pence Variants on Census: |
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26
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 |
| Journey into Mystery #85 |
| Marvel Comics, 10/1962 |
1st Appearances of Balder, Heimdall, Loki, Odin (cameo), and Tyr; 3rd appearance of Thor
Steve notes: Pence indicia contains regional distributor details; missing cover date. |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $7,500 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 9d |
| Pence Variants on Census: none |
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|
27
|
 |
| Incredible Hulk #3 |
| Marvel Comics, 9/1962 |
1st Appearances of Bruto the Strongman, Cannonball, Ringmaster, Teena the Fat Lady, The Clown, Circus of Crime, and Aunt Polly; Origin of the Hulk retold
Steve notes: Pence indicia contains regional distributor details; missing cover date. |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $7,200 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 9d |
| Pence Variants on Census: |
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28
|
 |
| Fantastic Four #6 |
| Marvel Comics, 9/1962 |
1st Appearance of Yancy Street Gang; 2nd Appearances of Doctor Doom and the Silver Age Sub-Mariner; 1st Marvel villain team-up
Steve notes: Pence indicia contains regional distributor details; missing cover date. |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $6,800 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 9d |
| Pence Variants on Census: |
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29
|
 |
| Amazing Spider-Man #5 |
| Marvel Comics, 10/1963 |
Doctor Doom appearance
Steve notes: Pence indicia contains regional distributor details; missing cover date. |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $6,500 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 9d |
| Pence Variants on Census: none |
|
|
30
|
 |
| Amazing Spider-Man #14 |
| Marvel Comics, 7/1964 |
1st Appearance of Green Goblin I (Norman Osborn)
Steve notes: Pence indicia contains regional distributor details; missing cover date. |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $6,200 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 9d |
| Pence Variants on Census: |
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31
|
 |
| X-Men #4 |
| Marvel Comics, 3/1964 |
1st Appearances of Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, Mastermind, Quicksilver, Scarlet Witch, and Toad
Steve notes: Pence indicia contains regional distributor details; missing cover date. |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $6,000 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 9d |
| Pence Variants on Census: |
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32
|
 |
| Tales of Suspense #40 |
| Marvel Comics, 4/1963 |
2nd appearance of Iron Man; 1st sppearance of Gargantus
Steve notes: Last ‘MC’ cover logo
Steve notes: Pence indicia contains regional distributor details; missing cover date. |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $5,800 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 9d |
| Pence Variants on Census: |
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33
|
 |
| Incredible Hulk #4 |
| Marvel Comics, 11/1962 |
1st Appearance of Boris Monguski and Mongu
Steve notes: Pence indicia contains regional distributor details; missing cover date. |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $5,500 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 9d |
| Pence Variants on Census: none |
|
|
34
|
 |
| Incredible Hulk #5 |
| Marvel Comics, 1/1963 |
1st Appearances of Tyrannus and General Fang
Steve notes: Pence indicia contains regional distributor details; missing cover date. |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $5,500 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 9d |
| Pence Variants on Census: |
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35
|
 |
| Amazing Spider-Man #6 |
| Marvel Comics, 11/1963 |
1st Appearance of The Lizard; Origin of The Lizard
Steve notes: Pence indicia contains regional distributor details; missing cover date. |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $5,500 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 9d |
| Pence Variants on Census: |
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36
|
 |
| Incredible Hulk #6 |
| Marvel Comics, 3/1963 |
1st Appearances of Metal Master and Teen Brigade
Steve notes: Pence indicia contains regional distributor details; missing cover date. |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $5,250 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 9d |
| Pence Variants on Census: |
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37
|
 |
| Strange Tales #101 |
| Marvel Comics, 10/1962 |
1st Appearance of Destroyer (Charles Stanton); Human Torch features begin
Steve notes: Pence indicia contains regional distributor details; missing cover date. |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $4,800 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 9d |
| Pence Variants on Census: |
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38
|
 |
| X-Men #2 |
| Marvel Comics, 11/1963 |
1st Appearances of Vanisher (Telford Porter) and Amos Frederick Duncan
Steve notes: Pence indicia contains regional distributor details; missing cover date. |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $4,700 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 9d |
| Pence Variants on Census: none |
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|
39
|
 |
| Rawhide Kid #17 |
| Marvel Comics, 8/1960 |
Origin of Rawhide Kid
Steve notes: Pence indicia contains regional distributor details. |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $4,500 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 9d |
| Pence Variants on Census: none |
|
|
40
|
 |
| Fantastic Four #7 |
| Marvel Comics, 10/1962 |
1st Appearances of Kurrgo and The Xantha
Steve notes: Pence indicia contains regional distributor details; missing cover date. |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $4,300 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 9d |
| Pence Variants on Census: |
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41
|
 |
| Fantastic Four #8 |
| Marvel Comics, 11/1962 |
1st Appearances of Alicia Masters and Puppet Master
Steve notes: Pence indicia contains regional distributor details; missing cover date. |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $4,300 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 9d |
| Pence Variants on Census: none |
|
|
42
|
 |
| Fantastic Four #9 |
| Marvel Comics, 12/1962 |
3rd Silver Age Sub-Mariner appearance
Steve notes: Pence indicia contains regional distributor details; missing cover date. |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $4,300 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 9d |
| Pence Variants on Census: |
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43
|
 |
| Fantastic Four #10 |
| Marvel Comics, 1/1963 |
1st Appearance of Ovoids; Stan Lee and Jack Kirby appear in story; Doctor Doom appearance; Invisible Girl pin-up
Steve notes: Pence indicia contains regional distributor details; missing cover date. |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $4,300 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 9d |
| Pence Variants on Census: none |
|
|
44
|
 |
| Fantastic Four #11 |
| Marvel Comics, 2/1963 |
1st Appearances of Impossible Man and The Popuppians; Origins of Impossible Man, Fantastic Four (retold)
Steve notes: Pence indicia contains regional distributor details; missing cover date. |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $4,200 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 9d |
| Pence Variants on Census: |
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45
|
 |
| Amazing Spider-Man #13 |
| Marvel Comics, 6/1964 |
1st Appearance of Mysterio (identified); Origin of Mysterio
Steve notes: Pence indicia contains regional distributor details; missing cover date. |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $4,200 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 9d |
| Pence Variants on Census: |
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46
|
 |
| Tales of Suspense #52 |
| Marvel Comics, 4/1964 |
1st Appearance of The Black Widow
Steve notes: Pence indicia contains regional distributor details; missing cover date. |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $4,200 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 9d |
| Pence Variants on Census: none |
|
|
47
|
 |
| Tales to Astonish #44 |
| Marvel Comics, 6/1963 |
1st Appearance of Wasp; Origin of Wasp
Steve notes: Pence indicia contains regional distributor details; missing cover date. |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $4,000 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 9d |
| Pence Variants on Census: |
|
|
|
|
48
|
 |
| Fantastic Four #52 |
| Marvel Comics, 7/1966 |
| 1st Appearance of Black Panther (T’Challa) |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $4,000 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 10d |
| Pence Variants on Census: |
|
|
|
|
49
|
 |
| Amazing Spider-Man #7 |
| Marvel Comics, 12/1963 |
2nd Appearance of the Vulture; Versus Vulture
Steve notes: Pence indicia contains regional distributor details; missing cover date. |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $3,800 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 9d |
| Pence Variants on Census: none |
|
|
50
|
 |
| Amazing Spider-Man #9 |
| Marvel Comics, 2/1964 |
1st Appearances of Doctor Bromwell and Electro; Origin of Electro
Steve notes: Pence indicia contains regional distributor details; missing cover date. |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $3,700 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 9d |
| Pence Variants on Census: |
|
|
|
| Top 50 Bronze Age Pence Price Variants |
| Baseline values shown are 2019 non-variant value in 9.2; Census data shown is as of 11/13/2018 |
|
1
|
 |
| Iron Man #55 |
| Marvel Comics, 2/1973 |
| 1st Appearances of Thanos, Blood Brothers, Drax the Destroyer (Arthur Douglas), Kronos, Mentor (A’Lars), Starfox (Eros) |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $1,500 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 6p |
| Pence Variants on Census: |
|
|
|
|
2
|
 |
| Werewolf By Night #32 |
| Marvel Comics, 8/1975 |
| 1st Appearance of Moon Knight; Origin of Moon Knight |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $1,350 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 9p |
| Pence Variants on Census: |
|
|
|
|
3
|
 |
| Amazing Spider-Man #101 |
| Marvel Comics, 10/1971 |
| 1st Appearance of Morbius |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $700 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 1/- |
| Pence Variants on Census: |
|
|
|
|
4
|
 |
| Tomb of Dracula #10 |
| Marvel Comics, 7/1973 |
| 1st Appearance of Blade the Vampire Slayer |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $700 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 6p |
| Pence Variants on Census: |
|
|
|
|
5
|
 |
| Fantastic Four #112 |
| Marvel Comics, 7/1971 |
| Classic Hulk versus Thing cover and battle issue; 2nd Appearance of Collins |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $475 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 1/- |
| Pence Variants on Census: none |
|
|
6
|
 |
| Ghost Rider #1 |
| Marvel Comics, 8/1973 |
| 1st cameo appearance of Son of Satan (Damion Hellstrom) |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $430 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 6p |
| Pence Variants on Census: none |
|
|
7
|
 |
| Amazing Adventures Volume 2 #11 |
| Marvel Comics, 3/1972 |
| 1st Appearances of Beast (in furry form) and Carl Maddicks; Origin of Beast (in furry form); X-Men appearance in flashback |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $425 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 6p |
| Pence Variants on Census: |
|
|
|
|
8
|
 |
| X-Men #101 |
| Marvel Comics, 10/1976 |
| 1st Appearance of Phoenix (Jean Grey); Death of Jean Grey |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $375 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 10p |
| Pence Variants on Census: |
|
|
|
|
9
|
 |
| Silver Surfer #14 |
| Marvel Comics, 3/1970 |
| Spider-Man appearance |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $360 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 1/- |
| Pence Variants on Census: none |
|
|
10
|
 |
| Avengers #93 |
| Marvel Comics, 11/1971 |
Giant-size issue; Neal Adams cover and art
Steve notes: Decimalisation commences at 6p regular price |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $340 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 8p |
| Pence Variants on Census: |
|
|
|
|
11
|
 |
| Daredevil #131 |
| Marvel Comics, 3/1976 |
| Origin and 1st Appearance of the new Bullseye. 1st Appearance of Jacob Conover. |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $340 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 9p |
| Pence Variants on Census: |
|
|
|
|
12
|
 |
| Amazing Spider-Man #100 |
| Marvel Comics, 9/1971 |
| Anniversary issue; Classic John Romita and Frank Giacoia cover |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $325 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 1/- |
| Pence Variants on Census: |
|
|
|
|
13
|
 |
| Avengers #112 |
| Marvel Comics, 6/1973 |
| 1st Appearances of the Lion God and Mantis |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $300 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 6p |
| Pence Variants on Census: |
|
|
|
|
14
|
 |
| Avengers #83 |
| Marvel Comics, 12/1970 |
| 1st Appearances of The Liberators, Tom Fagan, Valkyrie (Brunhilde) |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $260 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 1/- |
| Pence Variants on Census: none |
|
|
15
|
 |
| Amazing Spider-Man #102 |
| Marvel Comics, 11/1971 |
Origin of Morbius
Steve notes: Decimalisation commences |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $260 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 8p |
| Pence Variants on Census: none |
|
|
16
|
 |
| X-Men #66 |
| Marvel Comics, 3/1970 |
| Last new story with original X-Men; Hulk appearance and battle |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $250 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 1/- |
| Pence Variants on Census: none |
|
|
17
|
 |
| Iron Man #54 |
| Marvel Comics, 1/1973 |
| 1st Appearance of Moondragon (as Madame MacEvil) |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $250 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 6p |
| Pence Variants on Census: none |
|
|
18
|
 |
| X-Men #65 |
| Marvel Comics, 2/1970 |
| Death of Changeling |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $240 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 1/- |
| Pence Variants on Census: none |
|
|
19
|
 |
| Amazing Spider-Man #86 |
| Marvel Comics, 7/1970 |
| Origin of Black Widow |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $240 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 1/- |
| Pence Variants on Census: none |
|
|
20
|
 |
| Amazing Spider-Man #90 |
| Marvel Comics, 11/1970 |
| Death of Captain Stacy |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $240 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 1/- |
| Pence Variants on Census: none |
|
|
21
|
 |
| Daredevil #168 |
| Marvel Comics, 1/1981 |
| 1st Appearance of Elektra (Elektra Natchios) |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $240 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 15p |
| Pence Variants on Census: |
|
|
|
|
22
|
 |
| X-Men #64 |
| Marvel Comics, 1/1970 |
| 1st Appearance of Sunfire; Origin of Sunfire |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $235 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 1/- |
| Pence Variants on Census: none |
|
|
23
|
 |
| Thor #193 |
| Marvel Comics, 11/1971 |
Giant-size issue; Silver Surfer appearance
Steve notes: Decimalisation commences |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $235 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 8p |
| Pence Variants on Census: |
|
|
|
|
24
|
 |
| X-Men #100 |
| Marvel Comics, 8/1976 |
| Old X-Men vs. New X-Men |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $230 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 10p |
| Pence Variants on Census: |
|
|
|
|
25
|
 |
| Amazing Spider-Man #96 |
| Marvel Comics, 5/1971 |
| Drug story not approved by the Comics Code Authority |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $225 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 1/- |
| Pence Variants on Census: none |
|
|
26
|
 |
| Amazing Spider-Man #97 |
| Marvel Comics, 6/1971 |
| Drug story not approved by the Comics Code Authority |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $225 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 1/- |
| Pence Variants on Census: |
|
|
|
|
27
|
 |
| Amazing Spider-Man #98 |
| Marvel Comics, 7/1971 |
| Drug story not approved by the Comics Code Authority |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $225 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 1/- |
| Pence Variants on Census: none |
|
|
28
|
 |
| Incredible Hulk #141 |
| Marvel Comics, 7/1971 |
| 1st Appearance of Doc Samson; Origin of Doc Samson |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $215 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 1/- |
| Pence Variants on Census: none |
|
|
29
|
 |
| Sub-Mariner #34 |
| Marvel Comics, 2/1971 |
| Prelude to 1st Defenders story |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $210 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 1/- |
| Pence Variants on Census: none |
|
|
30
|
 |
| Silver Surfer #12 |
| Marvel Comics, 1/1970 |
| Abomination appearance. |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $200 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 1/- |
| Pence Variants on Census: none |
|
|
31
|
 |
| Silver Surfer #13 |
| Marvel Comics, 2/1970 |
| 1st Appearance of Doomsday Man |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $200 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 1/- |
| Pence Variants on Census: none |
|
|
32
|
 |
| Silver Surfer #15 |
| Marvel Comics, 4/1970 |
| Fantastic Four appearance. |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $200 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 1/- |
| Pence Variants on Census: none |
|
|
33
|
 |
| Silver Surfer #16 |
| Marvel Comics, 5/1970 |
| Mephisto & Nick Fury appearances |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $200 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 1/- |
| Pence Variants on Census: |
|
|
|
|
34
|
 |
| Silver Surfer #17 |
| Marvel Comics, 6/1970 |
| Mephisto, Nick Fury & Dum Dum Dugan appearances. Fantastic Four & Tony Stark cameo. |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $200 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 1/- |
| Pence Variants on Census: |
|
|
|
|
35
|
 |
| Silver Surfer #18 |
| Marvel Comics, 9/1970 |
| Inhumans appearance; Last Issue |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $200 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 1/- |
| Pence Variants on Census: |
|
|
|
|
36
|
 |
| Avengers #87 |
| Marvel Comics, 4/1971 |
| 1st Appearances of B’Tumba, T’Chaka, and N’Baza; Origin of Black Panther; Death of N’Baza; Death of B’Tumba |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $200 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 1/- |
| Pence Variants on Census: none |
|
|
37
|
 |
| Amazing Spider-Man #94 |
| Marvel Comics, 3/1971 |
| Origin of Spider-Man retold |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $200 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 1/- |
| Pence Variants on Census: none |
|
|
38
|
 |
| X-Men #96 |
| Marvel Comics, 12/1975 |
| 1st Appearance of Moira MacTaggart |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $200 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 9p |
| Pence Variants on Census: |
|
|
|
|
39
|
 |
| X-Men #97 |
| Marvel Comics, 2/1976 |
| 1st Appearance of Lilandra Neramani |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $200 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 9p |
| Pence Variants on Census: |
|
|
|
|
40
|
 |
| Strange Tales #180 |
| Marvel Comics, 6/1975 |
| 1st Appearance of Gamora; Warlock appearance |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $195 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 9p |
| Pence Variants on Census: |
|
|
|
|
41
|
 |
| X-Men #98 |
| Marvel Comics, 4/1976 |
| Jack Kirby & Stan Lee cameo in 2 panels |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $195 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 9p |
| Pence Variants on Census: |
|
|
|
|
42
|
 |
| X-Men #99 |
| Marvel Comics, 6/1976 |
1st Appearance of Black Tom Cassidy
Steve notes: Regular price increases to 10p |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $195 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 10p |
| Pence Variants on Census: |
|
|
|
|
43
|
 |
| Fantastic Four #100 |
| Marvel Comics, 7/1970 |
| 100th anniversary issue; Mad Thinker and Puppet Master appearances |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $190 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 1/- |
| Pence Variants on Census: |
|
|
|
|
44
|
 |
| Avengers #100 |
| Marvel Comics, 6/1972 |
| Barry Windsor-Smith cover featuring all past Avengers |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $185 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 6p |
| Pence Variants on Census: |
|
|
|
|
45
|
 |
| Tomb of Dracula #13 |
| Marvel Comics, 10/1973 |
| 1st Appearance of Deacon Frost; Origin of Blade the Vampire Slayer |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $185 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 6p |
| Pence Variants on Census: |
|
|
|
|
46
|
 |
| Werewolf By Night #33 |
| Marvel Comics, 9/1975 |
| 2nd Appearance of Moon Knight |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $185 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 9p |
| Pence Variants on Census: |
|
|
|
|
47
|
 |
| Amazing Spider-Man #84 |
| Marvel Comics, 5/1970 |
| 2nd Appearances of The Schemer (Richard Fisk), Vanessa Fisk (Kingpin’s wife) |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $175 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 1/- |
| Pence Variants on Census: none |
|
|
48
|
 |
| Amazing Spider-Man #85 |
| Marvel Comics, 6/1970 |
| Schemer revealed as the Kingpin’s son |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $175 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 1/- |
| Pence Variants on Census: none |
|
|
49
|
 |
| Amazing Spider-Man #93 |
| Marvel Comics, 2/1971 |
| 1st Appearance of Arthur Stacy |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $175 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 1/- |
| Pence Variants on Census: |
|
|
|
|
50
|
 |
| New Teen Titans #2 |
| DC Comics, 12/1980 |
| 1st Appearances of Deathstroke (Slade Wilson), Trigon, Wintergreen, Ravager (Grant Wilson); Death of Ravager |
| Non-Variant 9.2 Value (2019): $175 |
| Pence Variant Cover Price: 15p |
| Pence Variants on Census: |
|
|
|
Jump to any title by first letter:
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Z
See only the DC Pence Price Variant Title List
See only the Marvel Pence Price Variant Title List
DC’s pence price variant window spans July & August of 1971, followed by issues between the cover dates of February 1978 to September 1981 inclusive. The first pence-only printed DC comics found are Action Comics #402, Adventure Comics #408, Detective Comics #413, Jimmy Olsen #139 all cover dated July 1971, and Flash #208 cover dated August 1971.
For monthly DC titles, no pence copies have been found for comics cover dated September 1978 to November 1978 inclusive. All monthly titles which cross these dates have a 3 issue gap. This gap coincides with, and is likely explained by, the increase and subsequent decrease in the US cover prices (35c to 50c September 1978 / 50c to 40c December 1978). For bi-monthly titles, September 1978 dated issues exist, but no pence issues exist for the following two months. No DC annuals have been found as pence only printed copies. Unlike Marvel, DC pence copies are distinguished by the pence price alone (no other changes were made such as removing the cover date, additional indicia distribution details, or different logo/banners).
Within Marvel’s pence price variant window, no pence copies have yet been found for comics cover dated December 1964 to July 1965 inclusive. Most monthly titles have a 9 or 10 issue gap around these dates, potentially due to shipping strikes. Almost every title which crosses the cover dates of October 1966 to December 1966 has a two issue pence gap. This may explain why Amazing Spider-Man completists haven’t found #42 and #43 yet; they probably don’t exist (ditto Avengers 33/34, Daredevil 21/22, Fantastic Four 56/57, Sgt. Fury 35/36, and Tales To Astonish 85/86). However, Strange Tales only misses one issue (#151) as does Tales of Suspense (#84). Two-Gun Kid has all issues as pence copies but as a bi-monthly title you can see there may have been a missing issue had it been monthly.
No pence copies have been found for comics cover dated December 1967 to March 1969 inclusive — a 16 issue gap — nor for comics cover dated April 1974 to July 1974 inclusive. This four issue gap coincides with the transition from 6p to 7p. No pence copies have been found for comics cover dated February 1981 to March 1981 inclusive either; this two issue gap coincides with the transition from 15p to 20p.
Many single issues do not appear to exist when the issue was double-sized, e.g. Avengers #200, Astonishing Tales #8, Ghost Rider #50, The Invaders #41, Thor #300, X-Men #137. Nor have pence copies been found for the ‘Giant Size’ titles of 1974 and 1975. Only 5 annuals have been found with pence only printed copies, all cover dated 1965 (Amazing Spider-Man #2, Fantastic Four #3, Journey Into Mystery #1, Marvel Tales #2, Sgt. Fury #1).
The U.K. distributor for all pence variants was Thorpe and Porter except with some exceptions being distributed by L Miller & Co. including Amazing Adventures and three western titles — Gunsmoke Western, Rawhide Kid and Two-Gun Kid — for issues cover dated May to August 1960. Miller continued to distribute the western titles up to August 1961, but with cents cover prices and variant indicias. Thorpe & Porter took over from September 1961, becoming the sole distributor for Marvel comics in the U.K. from this point.
Below is a summary for Marvel of the price changes throughout the pence price variant window:
Click any title below to open the issue guide page for that title:
Action Comics (#402, #480-486, #490-499, #501-523)
Adventure Comics (#408, #456-458, #473-485)
All-Star Comics (#71-73)
All-Star Squadron (#1)
Amazing Adult Fantasy (#7-14)
Amazing Adventures (#5-6)
Amazing Adventures Volume 2 (#3-22, #26-39)
Amazing Fantasy (#15)
Amazing Spider-Man (#1-17, #28-41, #44-54, #71-120, #215-223, Annual #2)
Aquaman (#60-63)
Arak Son of Thunder (#1)
2001: A Space Odyssey (#1-10)
Astonishing Tales (#2-7, #9-22, #25-36)
Avengers (#1-8, #19-32, #35-45, #63-120, #153-182, #184-199, #201-203, #206-214)
Batman (#297-299, #301-302, #306-339)
Battlestar Galactica (#2, #9, #19)
Black Goliath (#1-5)
Black Lightning (#7-10)
Black Panther (#1, #7-15)
Brave and the Bold (#140-142, #145-178)
Captain America (#159-171, #176-253, #256-264)
Captain Marvel (#12-21, #25-30, #34-48, #53-62)
Challengers of the Unknown (#85-87)
Chamber of Chills (#19-20, #22, #25)
Chamber of Darkness (#6-8)
Champions (#1-12)
Claw the Unconquered (#10-12)
Conan the Barbarian (#11-35, #41-53, #57-81, #121-129)
Creatures on the Loose (#31-37)
Crypt of Shadows (#21)
Daredevil (#1-3, #9-20, #23-33, #51-108, #112-149, #151-160, #163-168, #170-177)
Dazzler (#2-10)
DC Comics Presents (#1, #4-37)
Dead of Night (#10)
Defenders (#4-7, #9, #11-12, #15-54, #71-91, #94-102)
Detective Comics (#413, #475-478, #496-499, #501-506)
Doctor Strange (#4-21, #25-34, #46-50)
Doorway to Nightmare (#2-4)
Epic Illustrated (#2-9)
Eternals (#1-18)
Fantastic Four (#1-31, #42-55, #58-68, #85-143, #149-175, #177-189, #212, #229-237, Annual #3)
Fantasy Masterpieces (#1-2)
Fear (#23-31)
Firestorm the Nuclear Man (#1-4)
Flash (#208, #259-264, #268-299, #301)
Frankenstein (#12-18)
Freedom Fighters (#13-15)
The Ghost Rider (#1-6)
Ghost Rider (#1-4, #7, #9-19, #22, #36, #39-49, #51-52, #55-63)
Ghosts (#62-67, #71-104)
Green Lantern (#101-107, #111-144)
Gunsmoke Western (#58-59, #66-77)
House of Mystery (#263-296)
House of Secrets (#151-153)
Howard the Duck (#1-26)
Human Fly (#1-19)
Human Torch (#8)
Incredible Hulk (#1-6, #114-152, #161-166, #258-266)
Inhumans (#1-9)
Invaders (#3-40)
Iron Fist (#3-7)
Iron Man (#12-42, #47-66, #69, #71-111, #122-142, #145, #147-153)
John Carter Warlord of Mars (#24-28)
Jonah Hex (#10-15)
Journey into Mystery (#58-60, #62-109, #119-125, Annual #1)
Journey into Mystery Volume 2 (#8-9, #12-18)
Jungle Action (#11-23)
Justice League of America (#161-194)
Kamandi the Last Boy on Earth (#56-58)
Karate Kid (#13-15)
Ka-Zar Lord of the Hidden Jungle (#5-18)
Ka-Zar the Savage (#1-9)
Kid Colt Outlaw (#91, #95-119, #124-129, #133-137)
Krypton Chronicles (#1)
Kull the Conqueror (#7-10)
Kull the Destroyer (#11, #18)
Legion of Super-Heroes (#259-279)
Logan’s Run (#1-7)
Machine Man (#10-18)
Man-Thing (#8-22)
Man-Thing Volume 2 (#1, #6)
Marvel Chillers (#1-5)
Marvel Classics Comics (#5, #7, #9-36)
Marvel Double Feature (#10)
Marvel Feature (#2-7)
Marvel Premiere (#22, #24, #26-34, #37-57, #59-61)
Marvel Presents (#1-9)
Marvel’s Greatest Comics (#68, #93)
Marvel Spotlight (#8-13, #17, #26-31)
Marvel Spotlight Volume 2 (#1-7, #9-10)
Marvel Super Action (#30-37)
Marvel Super Heroes (#72, #80, #103-104)
Marvel Tales (#104, #126-134, Annual #2)
Marvel Team-Up (#24-37, #39-80, #82-99, #101, #111-112)
Marvel Triple Action (#28, #30, #32, #43-47)
Marvel Two-in-One (#11-71, #74-82)
Master of Kung Fu (#36-96, #99-107)
Men of War (#11-26)
Micronauts (#28-36)
Mister Miracle (#23-25)
Monsters on the Prowl (#9-12, #15-16)
Moon Knight (#1-3, #6-14)
Ms. Marvel (#1-23)
My Girl Pearl (#7)
Mystery in Space (#111-117)
New Adventures of Superboy (#1-21)
New Gods (#17-19)
New Teen Titans (#1-11)
Night Rider (#5)
Not Brand Echh (#1)
Nova (#1-16, #20-24)
Omega the Unknown (#1-6)
Patsy and Hedy (#70-71)
Patsy Walker (#89)
Power Man and Iron Fist (#20-57, #65-66, #68-76)
Rawhide Kid (#17, #24-42, #48-54, #56-60, #151)
Red Sonja (#1, #7-14)
ROM (#1-3, #17-22, #24-25)
Savage She-Hulk (#9-10, #15-23)
Secret Society of Super-Villains (#13-15)
Secrets of Haunted House (#11-13, #17-40)
Secrets of the Legion of Super-Heroes (#1-3)
Sgt. Fury and His Howling Commandos (#1-10, #21-34, #37-47, #107-117, #128, #132, #152, #163-167, Annual #1)
Sgt. Rock (#323-356)
Shade the Changing Man (#6-8)
Shazam! (#34-35)
Shogun Warriors (#4-20)
Showcase (#97, #101-103)
Silver Surfer (#11-18)
Skull the Slayer (#2-8)
Son of Satan (#1-4)
Spectacular Spider-Man (#1, #53-61)
Spider-Woman (#5-34, #37-38, #40-41)
Star Hunters (#3-6)
Star Trek (#13-14, #16-17)
Star Wars (#2-5)
Steel the Indestructible Man (#1-4)
Strange Tales (#75-77, #79-125, #136-150, #152-162, #175-187)
Sub-Mariner (#12-69)
Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes (#246-258)
Super Friends (#10-13, #15-47)
Superman (#321-326, #330-363)
Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen (#139)
Supernatural Thrillers (#13, #15)
Super-Villain Team-Up (#3-9)
Tales of Suspense (#10, #13-58, #69-83, #85-95)
Tales of the Green Lantern Corps (#1-3)
Tales to Astonish (#10, #14-61, #71-84, #87-97)
Tales to Astonish Volume 2 (#4-14)
Tarzan (#24-29)
Thor (#126-132, #135-146, #163-221, #226-282, #285-299, #301-303, #306-314)
Tomb of Darkness (#10-20, #23)
Tomb of Dracula (#7-18, #23-28, #55-62)
Two-Gun Kid (#54-55, #60-72, #77-90)
Uncanny X-Men (#144-152)
Unexpected (#183-186, #200-214)
Unknown Soldier (#222-255)
Untold Legend of the Batman (#1-3)
Vault of Evil (#23)
Warlock (#4-5, #9-15)
Weird War Tales (#70-103)
Weird Western Tales (#45-47, #50-70)
Weird Wonder Tales (#5-11)
Werewolf By Night (#6-14, #20-39, #41)
Where Monsters Dwell (#3-23, #25-27, #30, #32-37)
Witching Hour (#77-83)
Wonder Woman (#240-246, #250-283)
Worlds Unknown (#8)
Wyatt Earp (#29)
X-Men (#1-7, #13-24, #27-37, #55-66, #73-86, #89-93, #96-101, #108-120, #123-136, #138-141)
| Recommended Further Reading |
• Steve’s Pence Threads
• Read Up On Comics and Pence Price Variants @ The Thought Balloon
• The Comic Book Price Guide For Great Britain – Cents Or Pence?
• A History of Publisher Experimentation and Variant Comic Books
• Applause To CBCS’s New “75¢ Canadian Price Variant” Labeling
• Mile High Comics Newsletter: Rare British Pence Editions
• HobbyDB: Marvel Comics Pence Price Variants
Rare Comics 
Well done to you both. Steve, sterling work, as usual (Ha!). Thanks for bringing some light to this shadowy topic. Very informative.
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Cheers Robert – our first pence commentator! 🙂
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Below, courtesy of Mr. Cover Price Variant, a really neat dual Canadian/Pence price variant example from Archie: Betty and Veronica #1, with 95¢ cover price and 40p beneath, covering both Canada and the UK:
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That’s nice. The bold precedence of the $ price will mean it’s referred to (correctly) as a Canadian price variant of course, but a nice quirk all the same. Did you know that there is only one Marvel pence variant priced at 40p? Fantastic Four #236. I’d post a picture if I could 🙂
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Awesome – looks like we got the picture to work! 🙂
I agree that the B&V #1 example would be a Canadian Price Variant — but I love the “twist” that one could hunt for it in Canada and hunt for it in the UK if one were looking to acquire a copy!
– Ben
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More on the Archie Type 1A’s with dual Canadian/Pence pricing, plus, the mystery of Betty’s Diary #36: https://rarecomics.wordpress.com/2019/01/09/archie-canadian-pence-price-variants-and-the-bettys-diary-36-mystery/
– Ben
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Fantastic Four #236:
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Testing photo upload with a nice and rare Gunsmoke Western 9d #73
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That’s a nice! image of FF 236 and Gunsmoke 73. Are you aware that all of Marvels FF 116 and Where Monsters Dwell 12 type 1a price variants were mistakenly printed with a 6p! cover price on them instead of the correct 8p price. Both books are Marvel 52 pagers from late 1971. I have a FF 116 with the printed 6p on the cover.
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Hello Varyant555. Good spot! You can add Conan #11 to that list, also a squarebound issue at 6p, not 8p like the other post-decimalisation November 1971 copies (ASM #102, Avengers #93, Daredevil #81, Hulk #145, Sub-Mariner #43 and Thor #193).
Are you saying this was a mistake because you know it / have evidence, or is it just speculation? I’ve never seen anything concrete on it 🙂
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In my opinion it was a printing mistake and not the intended
cover price that they corrected or I imagine all of those Marvel 1971 52 pagers would have been printed with 6p cover prices. 6p would have been about equal to 20 cents and 8p would be about equal to 25 cents back then if I am correct?
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Roughly, yes. Costly mistake!
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Thinking about it, while I think you’re right (Varyant555) that there was a mistake with the pricing on the 1971 pence issues, it’s the 8p that was the mistake, not the (more logical) 6p.
You’ve probably see a good few ASM #102’s with sticker residue over the 8p price. And Hulk 145’s. What the picture below shows (images gathered from different ebay sellers) is that the 8p was often replaced with a 6p sticker. So whoever did this thought the 8p was too dear / the wrong price, even though it better reflected the worth based on the size of the issue, compared to the regular sized 6p issues.
If the 6p issues were the mistake, they would have 8p stickers on them, no?
We may never know… 😉
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Brilliant article 👏👏👏, it’s nice to read about this contentious subject in a purely factual way. Next time a penny hater try’s telling me there reprints from the u.k i can link this article and not have to try explaining myself 🤣.
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Thanks Toby! 🙂
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🙂
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Hi everyone, a round of applause to Steve, who was instrumental in the discussions that led to CGC’s announcement that as of May 6, 2019 (today), they will label as “UK Price Variant” going forward, instead of “UK Edition“! 🙂
– Ben 🙂
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In CGC’s monthly newsletter for July, it was nice to see that the book they selected, Amazing Spider-Man #13, had the variant highlighted as UK Price Variant! 🙂
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I spotted a U.K. Price Variant labeled copy of Fantastic Four #50 on eBay today:
So great to see the new price variant labeling out there in the marketplace! 🙂
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Just picked up Tales of Suspense #53 with the 9d price on the cover. One of 5 in the CGC census once I send it in to be graded! Very exciting find. Cannot figure out how to post a pic to here though…
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Awesome, congrats on making a great find! 🙂 “The Black Widow Strikes Again” — great Jack Kirby cover. CGC key comments notes says: “Origin of the Watcher., 2nd appearance of the Black Widow., Atomic explosion panels.”
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Absolutely love this site, thanks to both of you and anyone else concerned. One key point that is that you’re talking purely about the PRINTED cover price variants. Where there is no pence copy, it does necessarily not mean that the comic wasn’t distributed in the UK. Some were non distributed, some were ink stamped on the cover in UK pence. I’d love to find a list of the ones that were actually non distributed.
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Sorry, should read *it does not necessarily mean*
Also cannot figure how to post pics on here. Those posted seem to just be jpegs, but mine won’t paste here. Thanks
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Thanks Richard for sending the picture by email, here below for others to see is Rich’s Amazing Spider-Man #66 sold in the UK, which is a not a printed pence price variant but regular a 12¢ copy just like was sold in the US, except it has been stamped after the fact, with the 1 shilling price:
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Don’t you just love a good old Thorpe & Porter stamp !👏👏👏
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Courtesy of Richard Collier — Marvel Super Action #37 exists as a 20p price variant! I just added it in.
Thanks Rich! 🙂
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Hi,
One more 20p variant: Sgt Fury #167, December 1981.
Your work is superb!
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Thanks for the heads-up! Adding #167 now…
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Hi, I’m very new to this, but I have quite a few pence variant issues but have no idea what their value is !For example, I have the pence variant of XMen 101 ( first Phoenix appearance) from 1976 I believe. Can someone point me in the right direction?
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A pence price variant price guide would be really useful (this 2018 issue guide only shows the non-variant baseline issue values)! Absent one, your best bet may be to search eBay’s sold listings section to see how any recently sold pence copies did (if there are any).
You can also check where actively listed pence copies have set their asking prices, for instance I just searched eBay on “x-men 101 pence” and “x-men 101 uk” and I see a few copies listed, including a CGC 8.5 pence copy asking $399.99 and a CGC 9.4 pence copy asking $1,299.00.
Good luck! 🙂
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There were a certain number of Marvel comics that had a similar title as the uk repaints ,like Hulk, Avengers, Spiderman that were not distributed around 1974, that are more rare in the uk.
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So if a issue has a UK company logo on the cover but doesn’t have a cover print on the cover is it considered a pence variant issue?
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Hi Eric, I’m trying to think of a comic book distributed in the UK that wouldn’t have had a cover price on its cover, but I can’t think of any off the top of my head (maybe a “giveaway” comic book?)… Which issue were you thinking of in particular?
So broadly speaking, in terms of what makes a given book fall under the Type 1A umbrella (or what makes a given book a pence price variant specifically), the variant would need to have been published simultaneously with the regular copies. Perhaps the following line of thinking will help you…
Here’s what I would need, under a very simple/basic test, in order to conclude that I’m looking at a pence price variant: In my left hand, I’d need to be holding a “regular” version of a given comic book issue that was distributed in the US. In my right hand, I’d need to be holding a copy of the very same issue number, but where it has a cover price in pounds / shillings / pence. Now I’ll tear both covers off (don’t actually do this; this is just as a thought experiment), so that I’m now holding two now-coverless books. Can I tell the coverless books apart? Or, are they identical? If they are indeed identical without their covers, then my right hand was holding a pence price variant.
And we don’t really even need to be “holding” the two books physically, to compare them, so long as we can compare the all-important indicia pages.
Take for example the below pair. In our left hand is this Transformers #80 published by Marvel Comics, New York, NY (cover and indicia pictured):
While in our right hand is this book, Transformers #332, published in London:
Is the above a pence price variant of Transformers #80? No: although it may share the same cover artwork as the Transformers #80, and although it carries a pence cover price, it was published at a different location and at a later date. It has different numbering and is part of a different title (The Transformers, Marvel UK, 1984-1992).
So given this walkthrough example of something that is not a pence price variant, how could you determine whether the issue you are thinking of — with a UK company logo on the cover but no price — is or is not a pence price variant? First, turn to the indicia… was it published in the USA? Or in the UK? If the latter, it isn’t a variant. If the former, can you find a corresponding US-distributed version of the same issue? Can you find a listing for that issue where the indicia is pictured? How does it compare to the indicia of your copy?
I hope this helps!
– Ben
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This might sound crazy but how are you able to reply with images in it? I can’t add images to the replies. And is there anyway I could send you pictures of the covers? The issue I’m talking about is Batman: A Death in the Family. The US version has DC logo and the price on the cover. But then there is two version that has the same cover image but has the Titan Books logo on the cover instead.
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Hi Eric, thanks for letting me know which issue you found; I’ve actually found some pictures of it already so I’ll include those below (but if yours looks different in that case let me know).
The issue you’ve found is actually a trade paperback, which collects Batman issues #426 through #429. In the US there were a number of printings; the first printing is pictured below:
Published by DC Comics in 1988, New York, NY.
What you’ve found is the below (correct me if I’m wrong):
There is a price on it, but it is on the back cover (£2.50), and rather than being published by DC, it was published by Titan Books, London, at a later date.
“First British Edition, July 1989”
Conclusion: not a pence price variant. Having been published at a later date in a different place (London) by a different publisher (Titan), I’d refer to this as the British Edition of the Batman: A Death in the Family trade paperback.
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The Titan Books on you found has Purple letters. Titan Books had a purple letter and a yellow letters one. Then DC has the purple letter one as the second print and the yellow one as the fourth print. The Titan Books one says “Printed in the USA by arrangement with DC Comics Inc.”. All four Paperbacks has the same print year and all four has printed in the USA on them. That is way I was wondering if it was a pence variant.
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That line definitely is a neat circumstance: “Printed in the USA by arrangement with DC Comics Inc.” … It would mean that something these trade paperbacks share in common with the true pence price variants (type 1A) is that in both instances they were manufactured in the USA and then shipped over to the UK. One has to wonder if DC may have even printed them at the same time as one of the later US printings (looks like there were at least nine printings of this trade paperback!). That would be a really interesting circumstance, if that’s what happened…
But ultimately, as far as falling under the Type 1A umbrella, I think what matters more than the location of the printer selected by the publisher is the location of publisher itself: the “Published by Titan Books Ltd” (London; 1989) versus the “Published by DC Comics” (New York; 1988) information listed in the indicia means that the first Titan version pictured earlier must be considered to be a later-published British edition, rather than a US-published price variant… If there were subsequent Titan printings, I would imagine they would say “Second British edition” etc. in the indicia.
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I just found a listing for a Titan copy with the yellow lettering:
And interestingly, it too states “First British Edition, July 1989” in the indicia so rather than being a second printing, perhaps they simply had two title color variations printed.
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Can You Send me a email or something i would like to talk more about this. Because the two titan books has the same color and print years as DC’s second and fourth prints.
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Hi Eric, email sent (any further pictures / info you want to send my way please feel free)!
I could definitely buy into the idea that there is a strong likelihood DC would have printed the run for Titan at the exact same time as one of the later US printings were done, because that notion makes logical business sense to me (especially given the indicia information about being printed in the USA by arrangement with DC). And the timing does seem to “line up” as you point out, between the Titan copies and later US printings — at least with the 1989 year matching. But this second print US copy below that I found listed only has the year 1989 in the indicia (no month listed like the British Edition’s July 1989).
Let’s suppose that your hunch is spot on, and that the Titan copies were printed simultaneously with the above… Even then, each book has a different publisher listed in the indicia: Titan Books in London, versus DC Comics in New York. And the British Edition says “First British Edition” on it. Thus, while it is certainly a very cool circumstance, I think at the end of the day what you’ve got here is a British Edition of a trade paperback that has the very neat quirk of having been printed in the USA under an arrangement with DC and where that arrangement may have meant its manufacturing happened directly alongside the second-or-later US printing.
Best,
– Ben
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Pictures courtesy of Eric Williams:
Top left: DC 2nd printing; Top right: DC 4th printing; Bottom: the two Titan British Editions:
And the corresponding indicia pages:
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i found some Marvel Treasury Editions that have pence copies as well, 12, 15, 16 & 18 are for sale on eBay as of Nov 29, 2021 from one seller; there are likely to be others as well.
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Thanks James, yes indeed! Steve has documented pence variants for Marvel Treasury Edition #3-19 (50p for 3-18 and 75p for #19), Marvel Special Edition Star Wars #1-2 (50p), Marvel Treasury Special (Giant Superhero Holiday Grab-Bag 50p, Captain America’s Bicentennial Battles 75p, 2001: A Space Odyssey 75p), and DC & Marvel Present Superman vs the Amazing Spider-Man (75p).
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I don’t know of anyone might be able to help me. I am trying to value my comic collection for the purpose of my estate. I am a former comic dealer in the UK (going back to 2002). I’m still sharp on grading, but the landscape has changed enormously since I was in the game. Most valuations for comics today refer specifically to cents priced issues, not to mention the additional complication of CGC graded books. My collection consists mainly of pence priced, non-CGC graded issues in mid-low grade (2.0 – 5.0) with most in the 4.0 range. I have complete runs of the superhero issues of Tales to Astonish (including #s 27 and 35) and Tales of Suspense (including #39) – among a wealth of others. I just have no idea where to find an up-to-date guide for valuing raw, pence-priced issues. Might anybody have any ideas? Many thanks in advance.
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What I have found, for now, the Pence variants of the old books are selling for 20%-ish below the prices realized for Cents copies, except for major keys (FF 1, for example) which can go from 60% to 120% of the cents values, depending on where the books are sold and how well promoted.
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Hi, James. Thank you so much for your response. 20% below doesn’t seem too bad. The other problem is the CGC sales. Let’s say a CGC graded cents copy of a book in 4.0 sold on eBay for a specific figure. What would you say would be a fair percentage reduction of that figure for a raw pence copy (not CGC graded) in the same grade?
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Unfortunately it’s nearly impossible to predict raw prices based on graded prices. Some books sell close, others are well below. Again, depends on who is selling and how, for the potential customer base. Many more of us care, recently, so prices are continuously rising.
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As a comic buyer as a teenager in the UK, several odd books were incredibly rare to find on the new stand (odd issues ones an Xmen) must have tried 30 odd newsagents to get it. So there will be some insanely rare ones.
Also for two random months they stopped shipping I can find the dates as I had to source cents copies. If these exist they are rare also
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Hi,
I’m trying to find out the 15 UK priced Marvel titles for cover date January 1980. So far I’ve identified 14 but the 15th is eluding me – unless there were only 14 that month. My memory isn’t helping – it was a long time ago!
I wonder if you can help, please?
Thanking you in advance.
Kind regards,
Stephen
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Here’s everything in our guide from Marvel & DC from January 1980:
Action Comics #503 15p
Avengers #191 12p
Batman #319 15p
Brave and the Bold #158 15p
Captain America #241 12p
DC Comics Presents #17 15p
Defenders #79 12p
Flash #281 15p
Ghost Rider #40 12p
Ghosts #84 15p
Green Lantern #124 15p
House of Mystery #276 15p
Iron Man #130 12p
Justice League of America #174 15p
Legion of Super-Heroes #259 15p
Marvel Spotlight Volume 2 #4 12p
Marvel Team-Up #89 12p
Marvel Two-in-One #59 12p
Master of Kung Fu #84 12p
Men of War #24 15p
New Adventures of Superboy #1 15p
ROM #2 12p
Secrets of Haunted House #20 15p
Sgt. Rock #336 15p
Shogun Warriors #12 12p
Spider-Woman #22 12p
Super Friends #28 15p
Superman #343 15p
Thor #291 12p
Unknown Soldier #235 15p
Weird War Tales #83 15p
Weird Western Tales #63 15p
Wonder Woman #263 15p
X-Men #129 12p
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Many thanks! It looks like there were indeed just 14 MACC titles that month, instead of the then usual 15.
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