Condition grading

We describe the condition of vinyl records and sleeves using the Goldmine system — the industry-standard grading scale. For each item, the condition of the media (the record itself) and the condition of the sleeve (the cover) are stated separately.

We use six grades, from best to worst:

• Mint (M) — completely new. Perfect condition, with no signs of use: a sealed copy that has never been opened.
• NM (Near Mint) — as new. The copy has been opened, but shows no signs of use: it looks and sounds as new.
• VG+ (Very Good Plus) — very good. Minimal signs of careful use, barely noticeable; they do not affect playback.
• VG (Very Good) — good. Noticeable signs of use (light scuffs, small scratches), but the record plays cleanly.
• G (Good) — fair. Heavy wear, visible scratches; the record plays but with background noise.
• P (Poor) — poor. Significant damage; playback is difficult or has substantial defects.

The condition of every copy is always stated on the product page — separately for the media and for the sleeve. If you have any questions about a specific copy, write to us — we will clarify the details before purchase.