Vinyl Grading
We grade every used record by hand according to the Goldmine grading standard, with vinyl (media) and sleeve (cover) graded separately. A grade such as Media NM- / Cover VG+ means: the record is nearly as new, the sleeve shows light signs of wear. Every listing also has our own scans of the exact copy for sale.
The grades at a glance
| Grade | Meaning | In short |
|---|---|---|
| M | Mint | Perfect, unplayed, often still sealed |
| NM / M- | Near Mint | Nearly perfect, no visible signs of wear |
| VG+ | Very Good Plus | Light signs of use, plays cleanly without distracting noise |
| VG | Very Good | Audible surface noise in quiet passages |
| G / G+ | Good | Clear noise and scratches, but plays through |
| P / F | Poor / Fair | Badly damaged – usually not offered in our shop |
The grades in detail
Mint (M)
The item and container are absolutely perfect in every way. To qualify as Mint, the item must never have been played and is possibly still sealed. Mint should be used sparingly as a grade, if at all. Note that an item can be sealed and not Mint. If you suspect your record is in Mint condition, do not play it.
Near Mint (NM)
The item is nearly perfect. Near Mint (NM) media has more than likely never been played, and if it has, there will be no imperfections during playback. The item should show no obvious signs of wear. The cover or container can have very minor defects, but it should have no folds, seam splits, scratches, or other noticeable similar defects. The same should be true of any other inserts, such as posters, lyric sleeves, etc. Many dealers won’t give a grade higher than NM, implying (perhaps correctly) that no item is ever truly perfect.
Very Good Plus (VG+)
The item will show some signs that it was played and handled by a previous owner who took good care of it. Any defects are of a cosmetic nature and do not affect the actual playback. In theory, a Very Good Plus (VG+) item should sound the same as a Near Mint (NM) one. Surfaces may show some signs of wear, such as slight scuffs or very light scratches, and slight warps that do not affect the sound are okay. Paper products like sleeves will have some wear, slightly turned-up corners, or a small seam-split. In general, it plays perfectly, and if not for some minor aesthetic wear, it would be Near Mint.
Very Good (VG)
The item’s defects will be more pronounced. Surface noise will be evident upon playing, especially in soft passages and during a song’s intro and fade, but will not overpower the music. Wear will start to be noticeable, such as with light scratches on vinyl (deep enough to feel with a fingernail) that will affect the sound. Labels, covers, and sleeves may be marred by writing or have tape, stickers, and residue attached. However, a VG item will not have all of these problems at the same time.
Good (G), Good Plus (G+)
An item in Good (G) or Good Plus (G+) condition can be played through without skipping, but it will have significant surface noise, scratches, crackling, or visible wear. A container, cover, or sleeve will have scratches or seam splits, especially at the bottom or on the spine. Tape, writing, or other defects will also be present.
FAQ
What does VG+ mean for vinyl records?
VG+ stands for "Very Good Plus": the record has been played but was well cared for. Light cosmetic marks are possible, but they do not affect playback.
What is the difference between NM and VG+?
An NM (Near Mint) record shows practically no signs of wear. A VG+ record has light marks such as fine scratches or scuffs, but should sound hardly any different from an NM copy.
Why are record and sleeve graded separately?
Because they age independently: a record can be nearly as new while the sleeve shows wear – and vice versa. Grading them separately shows you exactly what you get.
Is a sealed record automatically Mint?
Not necessarily. A factory-sealed record can still have flaws, such as a bent sleeve or a slightly warped disc. That is why we label new stock as "New & factory sealed".
