Collecting Vinyl Records: Grading Standards

Believe it or not, grading records is not hard to do. It only takes a little time. How we describe what we see is another matter. Unfortunately, the grading standards used to determine a record's value takes on many forms and uses a wide variety of terminologies. Unless you are there to physically look at a vinyl record or jacket, you must rely on a verbal description and grade evaluation from a complete stranger.

Most record collecting is done by mail order, online or otherwise. It is a matter of descriptions evaluations and trust. Reputable dealers will give you an honest grade based on their experienced evaluation. That grade will determine the record's market value. If you are trying to sell your record collection to a dealer describing them as "real shiny and in mint condition," they will understandably have their doubts.

For those wanting to purchase collectible vinyl records, you will sometimes find yourself treading in difficult and confusing waters when straying from reputable record dealers. Get ready for a whole slew of vague and interesting descriptions from some inexperienced sellers. Sometimes they just happened upon a box of records and haphazardly looked them over.

You'll hear "Perfect" or "Mint Condition". Other times "Clean" or "from my personal collection", and not much else. To begin with, no record is perfect. This is why they invented laser CDs. Secondly the Mint grade can only be attributed in terms of vinyl as to having never been opened, otherwise known as 'still sealed'. In regards to the jacket, it can be sealed and still have a lower grade than Mint if any defects are present.

This is why a grading system was established, but even reputable record dealers have different systems and will still not give a buyer many details about a record they are selling. Their price is based on their grading system, reputation and the buyer's trust. All of these grading systems have many things in common. What varies is mostly the terminology that is used.

The most basic system uses six grades: Mint, Near Mint (NM), Very Good Plus (VG+), Very Good (VG), Good or Fair, and Poor. After that, some systems are more defined and can sometimes get darn complicated. Personally I add a Very Good Plus-Plus (VG++) for records only having a few light paper scuffs or stains. These are only cosmetic defects and do not cause any noise when playing the record.

Some sellers will use Fine or Pristine instead of Mint. Others will use Excellent (EX) for NM with varying degrees, and some will even use the grade of 'Nice' (?). An experienced dealer will often have a short list of how they grade records, and/or a link to a more detailed grading system. This is a convenient way of explaining how they determined the record's grade without having to answer a thousand questions. The terminology may vary, but the general idea is similar in them all.

Just about all of the grading systems out there grade the record and jacket or sleeve separately. These results are combined to determine the overall grade. With 78s and 45s the sleeve will not affect the value unless it is a picture sleeve. Picture sleeves are graded and valued separately, then added to the record's price. Things start downgrading with a record when the vinyl's grooves or labels are affected physically. Jackets and paper sleeves begin with wear.

The following system can help you become familiar with how grading is determined. There are exceptions and some may disagree with a few details, but in general most of them run along common lines.

VINYL GRADING
Mint: This only applies to STILL SEALED vinyl.

NM (Near Mint): The grooves and labels are in superb condition with no visible flaws.

VG++ (Very Good ++): Excellent condition. May have 1-3 very light paper scuffs/stains, but nothing that will cause any audible effects. Labels will only have minor scuffs, mostly near the center hole.

VG+ (Very Good +): Only a few very light scuffs, or one short and very light needle scratch (either only causing minimal audible effect). Labels may have some light signs of wear.

VG (Very Good): Often times only one small scratch affecting one track, that WILL cause an audible effect (pops), but will not skip. Sometimes a VG grade will be because of surface noise. Label wear may vary from excellent to light wear.

JACKET or SLEEVE GRADING
Mint: Still Sealed -or- still has Shrink Wrap covering the jacket. Please note that the jacket of a Mint record will get a lower grade if it has any visible defects, such as edge wear or sale-bin cut/hole.

NM (Near Mint): Should only have minor signs of wear on the edges. Very little wear on the front or backside.
VG++ (Very Good ++): Corners & edges only show very light signs of wear. Hardly noticeable ring wear.

VG+ (Very Good +): Only 1-2 of these: Corners & edges may show light signs of wear. Most often a bargain bin "cut corner" or punch hole. Front and backside may have light ring wear. May have a partial seam split (1-3 inches) or light crease. May have unobtrusive writing or sticker.

VG (Very Good): Corners & edges are somewhat worn -OR- ring wear is very noticeable -OR- jacket has stickers -OR- jacket has writing -OR- may have a seam split. The jacket may have 1-3 of these defects, but never all of them.

For more information about terminology and visual examples see the link at the bottom of this page. A record's condition is only part of how to determine its value or price. Determining how much a record is worth gets a little more complicated. Figuring out what someone will actually pay is even more difficult. Just because a record is worth a hundred dollars doesn't mean someone will pay a hundred dollars, even if it is NM.

Monitoring market fluctuations and demands over a period of time helps a great deal in determining prices. Not in it for the long haul? Try purchasing a record price guidebook. Two major sources are Jerry Osborne and Gold Mine. The only available guidebook for 78s is Les Dock, which hasn't been updated in years as far as I know.

Keep in mind that guidebook values are based on what a few people were willing to pay for a record on a single occasion in most cases. Tomorrow someone may or may not be willing to pay this price. Guidebooks are only meant to get an estimate in value. It is the market that determines the demand, and therefore the price of a record, rare or not.

Buying a guidebook to determine their value means you are serious about collecting or selling vinyl records. If you just want to know the value of a bunch of records you bought or inherited, good luck. As you can now see it takes a lot of time and effort to determine this. Other than the grading system above, you won't get much help from me. So don't ask.

Anyway that's about it for determining condition and grading vinyl records. The main thing in all of this is that you get pleasure from collecting or selling records. It isn't just about making money. After being around them you discover new music and artists you may have never heard before. It is the enjoyment of listening to what someone thought important enough to record and preserve. Whether it is music words or sound it all brings pleasure to someone. May you have great pleasure in collecting our vinyl buddies, and happy hunting!