MINT (M)
These
are absolutely perfect in every way. Often rumored but rarely seen,
Mint should never be used as a grade unless more than one person agrees
that the record or sleeve truly is in this condition.
NEAR MINT (NM OR M-)
A
good description of a NM record is “it looks like it just came from a
retail store and it was opened for the first time.” In other words,
it’s nearly perfect.
Many dealers won’t use a grade higher than this, implying (perhaps correctly) that no record or sleeve is ever truly perfect.
Near
mint records are shiny and free of visible defects. No writing,
stickers, other markings or spindle marks appear on the label. No major
factory defects are present; a record and label obviously pressed off
center is not Near Mint.
NM covers have no creases, ring wear or seam splits of any kind.
VERY GOOD PLUS (VG+)
A good description of a VG+ Record is “except for a couple of minor things, this would be Near Mint.”
Most
collectors, especially those who want to play their records, will be
happy with a VG+ record, especially if it is toward the high end of the
grade, (sometimes called VG++).
VG+
records may show some slight signs of wear, including light scuffs or
very light scratches that do not affect the listening experience.
Slight warps that don’t affect the sound are OK. Minor signs of
handling are OK, too, such as telltale marks around the center hole, so
long as repeated playing has not misshapen the hole. There may be some
very light ring wear or discoloration, but it should be barely
noticeable.
VG+
Covers should have only minor wear. A VG+ cover might have some very
minor seam wear or a split (less than one inch long) at the bottom, the
most vulnerable location. Also, a VG+ cover may have some defacing,
such as a cut-out marking. Covers with cut-out markings can never be
considered Near Mint.
VERY GOOD (VG)
Many
of the imperfections found on a VG+ Record are more obvious on a VG
record. VG records have more obvious flaws than their counterparts in
better shape. They lack most of the original gloss found on
factory-fresh records. Groove wear is evident on sight, as are light
scratches deep enough to feel with a fingernail.
When
played, a VG record has surface noise, and some scratches may be
audible, especially in soft passages and during a song’s intro and
ending. But the noise won’t overpower the music otherwise. Minor
writing, tape or a sticker can detract from the label. Many collectors
who have jukeboxes will use VG records in them and not think twice.
They remain a fine listening experience, just not the same as if it
were in better shape.
VG
covers will have many signs on human handling. Ring wear in the middle
or along the edges of the cover, where the edge of a record would
reside, is obvious; it may appear on all three sides, thought it won’t
be obvious upon looking. Someone might have written on it or stamped a
price tag on it, too.