Record Grading with Record Collector categories
MINT: “The record itself is in brand new condition with no surface marks or deterioration in sound quality. The cover and any any extra items such as the lyric sheet, booklet or poster are in perfect condition. Records advertised as Sealed or Unplayed should be mint…”
(also Near Mint, Mint Minus) Holy Grail for collectors, price can be x3-4 average condition. Not unknown for trophy hunters to have one sealed copy and a second play copy. Trusting records to be mint because ”sealed” seems reckless but it does not stop the triumph of hope over experience. The mere presence of open shrink can add 10-15% to prices.
EXCELLENT: “The record shows some sign of having been played, but there is very little lessening in sound quality. The cover and packaging might have slight wear and/or creasing…”
(Also -E or E minus) The realistic collectors Holy Grail, often the highest grade used by sellers. Fussy collectors expect to pay the price – 1.5-2x more than VG+ condition. I have heard of collectors however who mistake Excellent to mean Mint. It can be a risky claim, for which reason some sellers use VG+ as their highest grade.
VERY GOOD: “The record has obviously been played many times, but displays no major deterioration in sound quality, despite noticeable surface marks and the occasional light scratch. Normal wear and tear on the cover or extra items, without any major defects, is acceptable.
Neil Umphred, who curated the early Goldmine price guides, used to define the VG (Very Good) grade as “Very God Awful!..”
(also VG+, VG++) “VG Plus” is probably the most common descriptor in use by sellers, as it represents a realistic claim of desirable condition without over-egging it, therefore discouraging buyers from requesting price adjustments under a ”not as described” claim. A grade most collectors will happily settle for provided the occasional defect does not cause needle sticks or jumps and is of short duration – 3-4 revs maximum, and occasional crackles but not continuous surface noise.
GOOD: “The record has been played so much that the sound quality has noticeably deteriorated, perhaps with some distortion and mild scratches. The cover and contents suffer from folding, scuffing of edges, spine splits, discoloration, etc…”
In plain English, “Good” means “Not Very Good”. Not acceptable quality unless you are unusually fault-tolerant. Be wary of sellers using “common parlance” as in ” it’s in good condition (considering its age)” not intended as grading.
FAIR: “The record is still just playable but has not been cared for properly and displays considerable surface noise; it may even jump. The cover and contents will be torn, stained and/or defaced…”
You still see records graded as “Fair” for sale, in case the collector has no intention of playing it. Tourists who don’t even own a record player will buy a “fair” Beatles or Rolling Stones record to take home as a memento of Swinging England. Anything that helps keep the vinyl industry afloat is welcome.
POOR: “The record will not play properly due to scratches, bad surface noise, etc. The cover and contents will be badly damaged or partly missing…”
Par for the course for records of the “Punk” genre, however of no place in a jazz collection. Suitable only as coasters. I know, I have one for precisely said purpose. AND its a Lexington.
BAD: “The record is unplayable or might even be broken, and is only of use as a collection filler…”
Self-explanatory. Some people feel challenged to test the expression “unbreakable in normal use”
