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Grading the Condition of Your Vinyl Records Learning the Goldmine Standard
Question: What does the term "Mint Condition" mean for vinyl records?
Answer: "Mint Condition" refers to vinyl records that are flawless, unplayed, and usually still sealed in original shrink wrap, implying absolute perfection in appearance and sound. While some dispute the existence of truly "Mint" records, VinylRecords.Pro uses a meticulous grading system to ensure fair evaluations, offering professional record valuation services across Ontario.
NOTE: Grading Expectations
All records assessed on location are inspected visually, without a play test. Only records still sealed in original shrinkwrap are presumed Mint. All others are given a conservative grade one-notch lower than they appear to eye; whereas an onsite play test of each record is impractical.
Mint (M)
A record that is absolutely perfect in every way. It certainly has never been played, and should still be sealed in the original shrink wrap to even begin pondering a Mint grading. The Mint (M) rating should be used very sparingly as a grade, if at all. Some might even argue that there is NO SUCH THING as a perfect record.
Insert/Inlay/Booklet/Sleeve:
All absolutely perfect. No wear, no marks, no creases, no corner dings, no scuffs on the shrinkwrap, no imperfections of any kind whatsoever.
Near Mint (NM or M-)
A nearly perfect record. A NM/M- record has more than likely never been played, and the vinyl will play perfectly, with no imperfections during playback, no pops or crackles, etc. 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. The ever-faintest of a spindle mark may be present. An LP cover of this rating should have no creases, no folds, no seam splits, no cut-out holes, or any other noticeable similar defects. The same should be true of any other inserts, such as posters, lyric sleeves, etc. If you only handled your records a few times throughout their entire life, and you have always stored your records upright in proper protective polymer outer-liners, then it is likely that your records will reach a 'Near Mint (NM or M-) grade.
Very Good Plus (VG+) Typically, about a quarter to a third of a very well-cared for record collection ranks here. If you played your records just a few times over the years, and you handled them only by their edges, then likely their grading starts here. Generally worth half of the Near Mint value. A Very Good Plus (VG+) record will show some hints that it has been played and otherwise handled with great care. Any defects must be only cosmetic in nature, not affecting the actual musical/sound playback. The vinyl record surface may show some very minor signs of use, and may have just a few very slight scuffs or maybe the slightest of a scratch that does not affect the listening experience whatsoever. A very slight warp that do not affect the sound is also "OK" for this rating. The label may have some ring wear or discoloration, but it should be barely noticeable. Some spindle marks may be present on the record label. Picture sleeves and inner sleeves will have a couple small blemishes; but no seam splits. An LP cover may have just the slightest first signs of wear. In general, if not for just a few minor things wrong with it, this record would be Near Mint.
Very Good (VG)
Generally worth about a fifth of the Near Mint value. Many of the defects found in a VG+ record will be more pronounced in a VG. Some light surface noise may 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 with a few light scratches (deep enough to feel with a fingernail) that will be audible. It may have obvious edge wear or ring wear on the sleeve (but no large tears or cut-outs). The same will be true of picture sleeves or LP covers. However, it will not have anymore than all of these problems at the same time. Goldmine price guides with more than one price will list Very Good as the lowest price.
Good (G), Good Plus (G+)
Common, popular records of this grading are worth nothing, as it is easy to find better. Only a very rare record of this grade with still retain some value. A record in Good or Good Plus condition can be played through without skipping. But it will have obvious surface noise, scratches, and visible groove wear. The cover or sleeve might have some seam splitting, on the bottom or on the spine. While the record must be playable without skipping, noticeable surface noise and "ticks" will almost certainly accompany the playback. We rank any record without an inner-liner as this grading at best.
Poor (P), Fair (F)
Generally worthless. The record is missing its inner sleeve/liner, cracked, badly warped, or badly scratched and won't play through without skipping or repeating. The sleeve is water damaged, seems are split and/or heavily marred by wear or has been written on. The LP cover barely keeps the LP inside it. Inner sleeves are fully split, crinkled, and/or have been written upon. A record of this grade, should be properly recycled - and not thrown in the garbage. If you wrote your name on your records and/or took them to parties where anyone and everyone fancied themselves as a drunken DJ, then your records most likely grade here.
We regularly receive phone calls wherein a caller enthusiasically informs us that their records are in "good" condition. If we accept their own words as true, then they are inherently informing us that their records are fifth from the top and second from the bottom/worst of the grading scale, near worthless. Typically what we try to read into it, is that they need us to properly grade their records.