Rare-record guide

Using Record Grading Standards

Mint, Near Mint, Very Good Plus and lower grades for vinyl and sleeves.

Rare vinyl combines music history, manufacturing evidence, condition and collector demand. A useful conclusion should be traceable to identifiers on the physical release.

1. Grade vinyl and sleeve separately

Grade vinyl and sleeve separately should be evaluated against the exact release, country, format, label, catalog number, matrix/runout, packaging and condition. Preserve the physical evidence and avoid replacing identification with seller shorthand.

2. Use Mint sparingly

Use Mint sparingly should be evaluated against the exact release, country, format, label, catalog number, matrix/runout, packaging and condition. Preserve the physical evidence and avoid replacing identification with seller shorthand.

3. Play grade valuable records

Play grade valuable records should be evaluated against the exact release, country, format, label, catalog number, matrix/runout, packaging and condition. Preserve the physical evidence and avoid replacing identification with seller shorthand.

4. Describe specific defects

Describe specific defects should be evaluated against the exact release, country, format, label, catalog number, matrix/runout, packaging and condition. Preserve the physical evidence and avoid replacing identification with seller shorthand.

5. Do not hide cleaning

Do not hide cleaning should be evaluated against the exact release, country, format, label, catalog number, matrix/runout, packaging and condition. Preserve the physical evidence and avoid replacing identification with seller shorthand.

Identification rule: Do not call a record a first pressing, promo, test pressing or rare variant until the physical evidence supports the claim.

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