Vinyl Record Grading Guide

We use a standard collector grading scale to describe the condition of records and covers. Vinyl Record Grading Guides are always subjective; factors such as lighting, playback equipment, and tolerance for surface noise can influence perception.

M (Mint)

Perfect. Unplayed and flawless. Extremely rare outside of sealed items.

NM (Near Mint)

Nearly perfect with no obvious defects. Playback should be clean with little to no noise. Sleeve looks close to new.

VG+ (Very Good Plus)

Shows light signs of handling or play. You may see faint scuffs or sleeve marks, but nothing that significantly affects playback. Minor surface noise may be noticeable in quiet passages.

VG (Very Good)

Noticeable wear from regular use. Light scratches and surface noise are present, especially in quieter sections, but the record plays through without skipping. Sleeve may have ring wear, writing, or edge wear.

G / G+ (Good / Good Plus)

Heavy wear. Significant surface noise and visible scratches are common, but the record generally plays through. Covers often show heavy wear, splitting, staining, or writing.

F / P (Fair / Poor)

Very worn or damaged. May skip, repeat, or have major playback issues. Often suitable only as a placeholder or for very rare titles.

Sealed vs. Mint: What’s the Difference?

Sealed means the record is still in its original factory shrink-wrap (or original packaging). It does not guarantee the vinyl is perfect—records can still have pressing defects, warps, seam splits, or corner dings even when sealed.

Mint (M) is a condition grade meaning the record (and often the sleeve) is flawless. A record can be sealed and still not qualify as Mint if the jacket has damage or if a pressing defect is likely.

In short: Sealed = unopened status. Mint = condition. They are related, but not the same.

Tip: For accurate value comparisons, always note whether grading applies to the vinyl, the sleeve, or both.