How I Grade My Records
Goldmine Standard · Vinyl & Sleeve Graded Separately
Every record is graded by hand against the Goldmine scale, the standard used across the collector market. Grading is visual first, with a play test whenever the surface or the price of the record calls for it. When in doubt, I grade down rather than up.
MINT (M)
Absolutely perfect and never played. I only use this grade for records that are still factory sealed.
NEAR MINT (NM / M–)
Looks and plays like it just left the shop. Glossy surface, no marks that catch the light, no visible wear. Labels are clean and unmarked. Plays silently apart from the usual quiet lead-in.
VERY GOOD PLUS (VG+)
Light signs of handling that do not interfere with the music. A few faint scuffs or hairlines may show under direct light. You may hear very light surface noise in quiet passages, but nothing intrusive. The most common grade for a well cared for used record.
VERY GOOD (VG)
Clearly played and clearly enjoyed. Visible scuffs and light scratches, with audible surface noise that sits under the music rather than over it. Groove wear may show on the loud passages. A solid listening copy at a fair price.
GOOD / GOOD PLUS (G / G+)
Plays all the way through without skipping, but with heavy surface noise and obvious wear throughout. Bought as a placeholder, a filler for a collection, or for a title that is hard to find in anything better.
POOR / FAIR (P / F)
Cracked, badly warped, or skipping. Sold for the cover art or as a wall piece only, and always described as such.
Two grades, not one
The vinyl and the sleeve are graded separately, and they often differ. A record listed as VG+ / VG means the vinyl is VG+ and the sleeve is VG. Sleeves are graded on seam splits, ring wear, corner wear, creasing, writing, and stickers. Inner sleeves, inserts, posters, and booklets are listed individually when present, and their absence is stated.
What happens before a record is listed
• Inspected under direct light on both sides
• Play tested when the surface condition or the value of the record calls for it
• Photographed as the actual item you will receive, never a stock image
• Any flaw that affects play is written into the listing and shown in the photos
• Packed flat in a rigid record mailer with the sleeve outside the jacket to prevent seam splits
Grading is a judgement call and reasonable collectors sometimes see things differently. If a record arrives and the grade is not what you expected, message me and I will make it right.