Grading

I tend to use mainly Goldmine grading, but not exclusively (see below). I grade conservatively cover/record, in that order. The Goldmine Grading System was created in the early years of record collecting. These grades were established from various sources pertaining to collecting (for example coins, books, comics etc).
MINT or M: This means perfect! A mint record should look like it has just left the factory, with NO flaws whatsoever. It should look as though it had never been handled. No scuffs or scratches, blotches or stains. No stickers address labels, writing on the covers or labels. No tears or seam splits, with no wear to the cover or record. The age of the record is immaterial. A MINT record from 1949 should look and play like a MINT record from 2005.
The chief complaint from collectors about grading over the years has been the deteriorating standards that dealers and private sellers use when grading. It is only natural for people to turn to use the "MINT" grade to receive the highest price possible; this has been especially true since the advent of online auction sites such as eBay where perhaps less than scrupulous sellers have been able to ply their trade without policing! The bottom line is that Mint means perfect and nothing else!
NEAR MINT or NM: The M- (Mint Minus) grade. I define NM and or M- as being almost Mint. This grade should be, for the most part, the most widely used grade for records that appear virtually flawless. Virtually flawless records are not perfect. A very minor scuff and very little else can appear on the vinyl and still attain M-.
NEAR MINT COVERS: The cover should look as close to perfect with only minor signs of wear and or age. Minor impressions to the cover (due to the outer edge of the vinyl resting inside) may be acceptable; however the artwork should be as close to perfect as can be.
EXCELLENT, or EX. Whilst this is not a Goldmine defined grade, it has become a more recognized and accepted grade amongst collectors and sellers. It is also a very conservative grade for those who don't want to grade NM or M-, for fear they may over grade the record and cover. In which case, it is acceptable.
EX VINYL: An excellent (EX) condition vinyl will allow for minor scuffs which are visible but not audible. Any scratches that can be felt with your fingernail can NOT be called scuffs. Scuffs lay on top of the grooves. If any break in the grooves are felt, they ARE scratches. And most often, they will be heard when played (soft clicks or even loud pops). Once again, no scratches can make this grade!
EX COVER: Artwork should still be as close to perfect as can be. The corners can show white (where the artwork pasted slick was) meaning, slight wear. No seam splits or writing on the cover or taped repairs can make this grade.
VERY GOOD PLUS or VG+: Most vinyl for sale today will attain this grade. I use this grade yet Goldmine defines this as Excellent (EX), I tend to think that this is a grade below EX and should command 50% of the value of a mint record.
VG+ VINYL: VG+ will show wear, some surface scuffs,(or spiral scuffs that came from turn table platters or jukeboxes for 45 singles) and maybe some light scratching. Surface scuffs are caused from blunt (not sharp) objects. Often the minor scuffs are caused from inner sleeves. The vinyl should still have a good luster, with flaws noticeable to the naked eye. Holding the record up to a very bright light will highlight many tiny lines across the surface. If the flaws don't cause any audible surface noise, the vinyl can make the VG+ grade. Most (but not all) VG+ records should still play like an EX record.
VG+ COVERS: A virtually clean cover, but may have small writing on it. The artwork should look clean with slightly more aging. The back of the cover usually gives away the age of the cover. Flat white paper will be somewhat yellow yet no stains or mildew from water damage. Some minor wear on the spine is acceptable, but with no tears or holes. The corners may be slightly dinked but not cracked. In essence, a VG+ cover should have no more than 3 flaws mentioned.
VERY GOOD or VG: The Very Good Grade does may not mean very good at all! A Very Good (VG) record will appear well played but still have some luster. The vinyl may be faded, slightly greyish, yet appears to have been handled and looked after well. Records that get continuous play will start to deteriorate, this is only natural. A VG record will have more surface scuffs and scratches, and audible sound defects will be heard. They should not, however, overpower the dynamics of the music. With VG records, the surface noise will be minor crackle or a slight hiss, but should only be heard in between tracks or in low registering musical passages.
VG COVERS: VG covers will look worn and well used. There may be some seam splitting (but not completely separated). There will be some ring wear, where the ink has begun to wear off. Sometimes this gives the cover a look of snow falling or like TV interference. If the artwork looks snowy all over, it is less than VG. There may be some writing on the cover (but not large lettering or with a Magic Marker type pen).
It may look aged and more yellowish due to airborne contamination (and sometimes damaged by cigarette smoke). VG should at least still have some attractive life to it, and still not have taped seams or water damage.
GOOD or G (including the G+): A good record will look very well played, dull, greyish and possibly abused. However a Good record should still play. It will have distracting surface noise. Such as crackle that may be continuous or some hiss. It may also have some loss of dynamics caused by worn grooves. It should play without any skips or any obtrusively loud pops or repeated clicks, caused by deep scratches. If you can't enjoy the record, it may no longer be even good. Good means that it will play and the music enjoyed.
GOOD COVER: A Good cover will have much wrong with it. It will have seam splits (possibly tape repairs, but only with scotch tape. No duct tape or masking tape repairs are acceptable even at this grade). The cover may have magic marker writing on the cover but still not huge lettering. In essence, the cover will have seen better days. If the artwork is worn, it may even be POOR and the cover worthless. Large tears or gouges in the cover will also make the cover POOR.
FAIR & POOR: The easiest way to define these grades is if the item doesnt meet a G grade. The item may be worthless unless it is so rare that by its very existence it has a resale value. It may not even be playable for the most part. Very few poor records are collectable but some are, and this will depend on the collector and sale price. Some rare coloured vinyl or picture discs may fit in here and will be nice to have. As mentioned, rarity usually dictates these items as saleable and only then at low prices and as collection fillers.

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