Mahasa Music uses the Goldmine Standard for listing the condition of items for sale
Mint (M)
Absolutely perfect in every way. Certainly never been played, possibly even still sealed. Used very sparingly as a grade, if at all.
Near Mint (NM)
A nearly perfect record. Many dealers won't give a grade higher than this. The record should show no obvious signs of wear.
A 45 RPM or EP sleeve should have no more than the most minor defects, such as almost invisible ring wear or other signs of slight
handling. An LP cover should have no creases, folds, seam splits or other noticeable similar defects. No cut-out holes, either.
And of course, the same should be true of any other inserts, such as posters, lyric sleeves and the like. Basically, an LP in
near mint condition looks as if you just got it home from a new record store and removed the shrink wrap. Near Mint is the highest
price listed in all Goldmine price guides. Anything that exceeds this grade, in the opinion of both buyer and seller, is worth
significantly more than the highest Goldmine book value.
Very Good Plus (VG+)
A Very Good Plus record will show some signs that it was played and otherwise handled by a previous owner who took good care of it.
Record surfaces may show some signs of wear and may have slight scuffs or very light scratches that don't affect one's listening
experiences. Slight warps that do not affect the sound are 'OK'. The label may have some ring wear or discoloration, but it should
be barely noticeable. The center hole will not have been misshapen by repeated play. Picture sleeves and LP inner sleeves will have
some slight wear, lightly turned up corners, or a slight seam split. An LP cover may have slight signs of wear also and may be
marred by a cut-out hole, indentation or corner indicating it was taken out of print and sold at a discount. In general, if not for
a couple things wrong with it, this would be Near Mint. Most collectors will find a Very Good Plus record highly acceptable.
Very Good (VG)
Many of the defects found in a VG+ record will be more pronounced in a VG disc. Surface noise will be evident upon playing,
especially in soft passages and during a song's intro and fade, but will not overpower the music otherwise. Groove wear will
start to be noticeable, as with light scratches (deep enough to feel with a fingernail) that will affect the sound. Labels may
be marred by writing, or have tape or stickers (or their residue) attached. The same will be true of picture sleeves or LP covers.
However, it will not have all of these problems at the same time, only two or three of them.
Good (G), Good Plus (G+)
Good does not mean Bad! A record in Good or Good Plus condition can be put onto a turntable and will play through without
skipping. But it will have significant surface noise and scratches and visible groove wear. A cover or sleeve will have seam
splits, especially at the bottom or on the spine. Tape, writing, ring wear or other defects will start to overwhelm the object.
Poor (P), Fair (F)
The record is cracked, badly warped, and won't play through without skipping or repeating. The picture sleeve is water damaged,
split on all three seams and heavily marred by wear and writing. The LP cover barely keeps the LP inside it. Inner sleeves are
fully seam split, crinkled, and written upon. Except for impossibly rare records otherwise unattainable, records in this condition
should be bought or sold for no more than a few cents each.
