Grading

Gradings are record first then cover.
Near Mint (NM): A nearly perfect record. There may be one or
two small inaudible defects. The record should show no
obvious signs of wear. A 45 RPM or EP sleeve should have no
more than the most minor defects, such as almost invisible
ring wear or other sights of slight handling. An LP jacket
should have no creases, folds, seam splits or any other
noticeable similar defect. No cut-out holes, either.
Very Good Plus (VG+): A Very Good Plus record will show some
signs that it was played and otherwise handled by a previous
owner who took good care of it. Record surfaces may show
some slight signs of wear and may have slight scuffs or very
light scratches that don`t affect one`s listening
experience. Slight warps that do not affect the sound are
OK. The label may have some ring wear or discoloration, but
it should be barely noticeable. The center hole will not
have been misshapen by repeated play. Picture sleeves and LP
inner sleeves will have some slight wear, lightly turned-up
corners, or a slight seam-split. An LP jacket may have
slight signs of wear also and may be marred by a cut-out
hole, indentation or corner indicating it was taken out of
print and sold at a discount.
Very Good (VG): Many of the defects found in a VG+ record
will be more pronounced in a VG disc. 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
otherwise. Groove wear will start to be noticeable, as will
light scratches (deep enough to feel with a fingernail) that
will affect the sound. Labels may be marred by writing, or
have tape or stickers (or their residue) attached. The same
will be true of picture sleeves or LP covers. However, it
will not have all of these problems at the same time, just
two or three of them.
Good (G): Good does not mean Bad! A record in Good condition
can be put onto a turntable and will play though without
skipping. But it will have significant surface noise and
scratches and visible groove wear. A jacket or sleeve will
have seam splits, especially at the bottom or on the spine.
Tape, writing, ring wear or other defects will start to
overwhelm the subject.
Poor (P), Fair (F): The record is cracked, badly warped, and
won`t play through without skipping or repeating. The
picture sleeve is water damaged, split on all three seams
and heavily marred by wear and writing. The LP jacket barely
keeps the LP inside it. Inner sleeves are fully seam split,
crinkled, and written upon.

Goldmine Grading Standard:

Mint [M]: Absolutely perfect in every way - certainly never played, possibly even still sealed. (More on still sealed below). Should be used sparingly as a grade, if at all.
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Near Mint [NM or M-]: A nearly perfect record. Many dealers won't give a grade higher than this implying (perhaps correctly) that no record is ever truly perfect. The record shows no obvious sign of wear. A 45 rpm sleeve has no more than the most minor defects, such as almost invisible ring wear or other signs of slight handling. An LP jacket has no creases, folds, seam splits or any other noticeable similar defect. No cut-out holes, either. And of course, the same is true of any other inserts, such as posters, lyric sleeves, and the like. Basically, Near Mint looks as if you just got it home from a new record store and removed the shrink wrap.
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Very Good Plus [VG+]: Shows some signs that it was played and otherwise handled by a previous owner who took good care of it. Record surfaces may show some slight signs of wear and may have slight scuffs or very light scratches that don't affect one's listening experience. Slight warps that do not affect the sound are OK. The label may have some ring wear or discoloration, but is should be barely noticeable. The center hole is not misshapen by repeated play. Picture sleeves and LP inner sleeves will have some slight wear, lightly turn-up corners, or a slight seam-split. An LP jacket my have slight signs of wear also and may be marred by a cut-out hole, indentation or corner indicating it was taken out of print and sold at a discount. In general, if not for a couple of minor things wrong with it, this would be Near Mint. All but the most mint-crazy collectors will find a Very Good Plus record highly acceptable.
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Very Good [VG]: Many of the defects found in a VG+ record are more pronounced in a VG disc. Surface noise is evident upon playing, especially in soft passages and during the song's intro and fade, but will not overpower the music otherwise. Groove wear will start to be noticeable, as will light scratches deep enough to feel with a fingernail) that will affect the sound. Labels may be marred by writing, or have tape or stickers (or their residue) attached. The same will be true of picture sleeves or LP covers. However, it will not have all of these problems at the same time, only two or three of them.
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Good [G], Good Plus [G+]: Good does not mean bad! A record in Good or Good Plus condition can be put onto a turntable and will play through without skipping. But it will have significant surface noise and scratches and visible groove wear. A jacket or sleeve has seam splits, especially at the bottom or on the spine. Tape, writing, ring wear or other defects will start to overwhelm the object. If it's a common item, you'll probably find another copy in better shape eventually. Pass it up. But if it's something you have been seeking for years, and the price is right, get it.
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Poor [P], Fair [F]: The record is cracked, badly warped, and won't play through without skipping or repeating. The picture sleeve is water damaged, split on all three seams and heavily marred by wear and/or writing. The LP jacket barely keeps the LP inside it. Inner sleeves are fully seam split, and written upon. Except for impossibly rare records otherwise unattainable, records in this condition should be bought or sold for no more than a few cents each.

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Grading

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