GOLDMINE GRADING SYSYEM
Mint (M)
Absolutely perfect in every way. Certainly never been played, possibly even still sealed. (More on still sealed under "Other Considerations"). Should be used sparingly as a grade, if at all.
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 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 signs of slight handling. An LP cover should have no creases, folds, seam splits or other noticeable similar defects. No cutout holes, either. And of course, the same should be true of any other inserts, such as posters, lyric sleeves and the like.
Basically, an LP in near mint condition looks as if you just got it home from a new record store and removed the shrink-wrap. Near Mint is the highest price listed in all Goldmine price guides. Anything that exceeds this grade, in the opinion of both buyer and seller, is worth significantly more than the highest Goldmine book value.
Very Good Plus (VG+)
Shows some signs that it was played and handled by a previous owner who took good care of it. Record surfaces may show some signs of wear and may have slight scuffs or very light scratches that don't affect listening experiences. Slight warps that do not affect the sound are "OK". Label may have some ring wear or discoloration, but it should be barely noticeable. Center hole will not be misshapen by repeated play. Sleeve and LP inner sleeve will have some slight wear, lightly turned up corners, or a slight seam split. Sleeve 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)
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. Groove wear will start to be noticeable, as with light scratches (deep enough to feel with a fingernail) that will not affect the sound. Writing may mar labels, or have tape or stickers (or their residue) attached. The same will be true of sleeves or LP covers. However, it will not have all of these problems at the same time, only two or three of them.
Good (G), Good Plus (G+)
Plays through without skipping. Significant surface noise and scratches and visible groove wear (on a styrene record, the groove will be starting to turn white). A cover 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 object.
Poor (P), Fair (F)
Cracked, badly warped, and won't play through without skipping or repeating.
Sleeve/cover is water damaged, split on all three seams and heavily marred by wear
and writing and cover barely keeps the record inside it. Inner sleeves are fully seam
split, crinkled, and written upon.
The record was played before packaging
|
;)
