Vinyl Record Grader — Goldmine Standard

Check every condition that applies to your record. The final grade is set by the worst condition checked — checking all vinyl/cover boxes in a section automatically drops to the grade below.

Does this record have inserts?

Near mint

Very minor defects only — no effect on play

Cover

Light scuffs or edge wear on coverVery minor cosmetic marks on jacket edges or corners

Vinyl

Minor label wearSlight shelf wear or fading on the label — cosmetic only

Inserts

Light scuffs or edge wear on insertsVery minor cosmetic wear on sleeves or lyric sheets

insert

VG+

Very good plus

Cosmetic wear only — plays perfectly

Vinyl

Slight scuffs or very light scratches on vinylVisible in raking light — cosmetic only, no effect on playback

Slight warp — no effect on soundMinor bend in the disc that does not affect playback

Cover

Slightly turned-up cornersMinor shelf wear to jacket corners

Small fold or creaseMinor crease to the jacket — no structural damage

Small seam splitPartial separation along an edge

Ring wearCircular indentation from the record sitting inside the jacket

Inserts

Slight fold or crease on inner sleeveMinor crease — cosmetic only

insert

Slightly turned-up corners on lyric sheet or posterMinor shelf wear — no tears or splits

insert

Insert known to be missingOriginally included with this release — caps grade at VG+

max VG+

All VG+ vinyl/cover conditions checked — grade dropped to VG

Very good

Audible surface noise — does not overpower music

Vinyl

Light scratches felt with a fingernailDeep enough to feel — surface noise audible in soft passages

Noticeable groove wearDull, worn grooves from repeated play — affects sound

Cover

Writing on cover or labelsPen, marker, or sticker residue on jacket or label

Tape or sticker damage on coverResidue, tearing, or discolouration from tape or stickers

Significant seam splitCover largely or fully open at spine or bottom seam

Scratches on cover surfaceVisible scratches on the jacket face

Inserts

Writing or marks on inner sleeve or insertsPen, marker, or sticker residue

insert

Tape or sticker damage on insertsResidue or tearing on lyric sheet, poster, or sleeve

insert

Significant seam split on inner sleeveInner sleeve largely open or torn at the seam

insert

All VG vinyl/cover conditions checked — grade dropped to G/G+

G/G+

Good / Good plus

Heavy noise throughout — still plays

Vinyl

Significant surface noise and crackling throughoutHeavy noise that competes with the music during playback

Deep scratches or gouges on vinylSevere groove damage clearly audible during play

Cover

Heavy writing, tape, or stickers on labelsSevere label defacement across most of label

Water damage or staining on coverTide marks, mould, or moisture damage to the jacket

Heavy wear or structural damage to coverCrinkled, torn, or badly deteriorated jacket

Inserts

Insert heavily worn or damagedTorn, severely creased, or water-damaged

insert

All G/G+ vinyl/cover conditions checked — grade dropped to P/F

P/F

Poor / Fair

Will not play through without skipping

Vinyl

Crack or break in the vinylStructural damage to the disc itself

Severe warp — skips or repeatsDisc so badly warped it will not play through

Groove damage causing skippingDamage so severe the needle cannot track the groove

Mint

Listing description

No conditions checked — record and cover appear unplayed and perfect in every way.