Grading Guide for LPs and Covers

Mint (M)  This is a very rare grading.

Record is brand new no surface marks. Cover and any extra items are in perfect condition.

Excellent (EX) ñ Near Mint (NM)

Record shows some signs of having been played, but not to the point of affecting the sound quality.  Cover shows slight wear and/or creasing.

Very Good Plus (VG+)

The record has been handled but infrequently or carefully, not too far off being E-NM. 

Very Good (VG)

Record has been played many times, some surface marks on the vinyl but not enough to affect the sound quality.  Cover shows normal wear and tear without any major problems.

Good (G)

Record played considerably that the playing surface has been affected. The marks will not make the record skip or jump.  The Cover and contents suffer from splits and ring wear, staining.

Fair (F)

Record is still playable but will have considerable surface noise, it may skip.  Cover and contents torn or incomplete.

Other Abbreviations

CC ñ Cut Corner

CO ñ Cutout

DH ñ Drill Hole

GF ñ Gatefold

NSOBC ñ Name stamp on back cover

RE ñ Reissue

RWOC ñ Ring Wear on Cover

S ñ Stereo

SM ñ Saw mark

TOS ñ Tear on Seam

TPC ñ Tape on Cover

TS ñ Taped Seam

WOBC ñ Writing on Back Cover

WOC ñ Writing on Cover