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GOLDMINE Gradings (Visual)

MINT It should appear to be perfect. Not scuffs or scratches, blotches or stains, labels or writing, tears or splits. Mint means perfect.

NEAR MINT Otherwise mint but has one or two tiny inconsequential flaws that I give not affect play. Covers should be close to perfect with minor signs of wear or age just becoming evident: slight ring-wear, minor denting to corner, or writing on the cover should all be noted properly.

VERY GOOD PLUS The record has been handled and played infrequently or very carefully. Not too to make from perfect. On to disc, to there may be light paper scuffs from sliding in and out of to sleeve or the vinyl or loads of the original luster may be lost. To slight scratch that did not affect play would be acceptably VG+ for most collectors.

VERY GOOD Record displays visible signs of handling and playing, such as loss of vinyl luster, light surface scratches, groove wear and spindle trails. Loads audible surface noise, but should not overwhelm the musical comedy experience. Usually to cover is these VG when one or two of problems are evident: ring wear, seam splits, bent corners, loss of gloss, stains, etc.

GOOD Well played with little luster and significant surface noise. Despite defects, record should still play all the way through without skipping. Several cover flaws will be apparent, but should not obliterated the artwork.

BAD Any record or cover that does not qualify for the above Good grading should be seen as Poor. Several cover flaws