Visual grading (conservative) |
Mint (M) |
Vinyl |
Absolutely perfect. Physicaly impossible. Of course, I will not use this grade |
Cover |
Same as vinyl |
NM |
Vinyl |
No scratches, scuffs or other obvious defects. Very clean |
Cover |
Almost perfect. Great-looking. |
NM- |
Vinyl |
An almost pristine looking record with, perhaps, one or two very faint scuffs or barely visible needlemarks (hairline) |
Cover |
Very minor sign of wear |
VG++ (Exc) |
Vinyl |
Almost as good as NM-, but a few more faint scuffs and/or very light surface needlemarks. |
Cover |
No split seams, some minor signs of wear like faint ring wear or little seam wear. Still pretty good-looking |
VG+ |
Vinyl |
More surface light scratches or/and scuffs |
Cover |
A bit more wear than a VG++, such as moderate ring wear or/and seam wear. Maybe one partially split seam. |
VG |
Vinyl |
A good-looking record with more scuffs and/or scratches |
Cover |
possibly split seams, perhaps some writing, tape, sticker, ring wear. Looks used |