How to Grade Your Vinyl: Understanding Goldmine Standards

Accurate vinyl grading is essential whether you're buying, selling, or simply cataloging your collection. The Goldmine Grading Standard is the industry-accepted system used by collectors and dealers worldwide to describe record condition consistently.

Understanding these standards will help you avoid overpaying for damaged records, accurately represent your own items when selling, and communicate effectively with other collectors.

The Goldmine Grading Scale

The Goldmine standard uses seven grades, from perfect to unplayable. Here's the complete breakdown:

Grade	Abbreviation	Description
Mint (M)	M	Perfect in every way. Never played, no marks, flawless. Extremely rare.
Near Mint (NM)	NM or M-	Appears unplayed with pristine surface. May have been played once or twice. No audible defects.
Very Good Plus (VG+)	VG+	Shows light signs of handling. May have light scuffs visible only at certain angles. Sound is excellent with minimal surface noise.
Very Good (VG)	VG	Shows obvious signs of play. Light scratches, scuffs, or marks present. Some surface noise but still very enjoyable to play.
Good Plus (G+)	G+	Well-played with significant wear. Surface noise throughout but still playable.
Good (G)	G	Heavy wear, scratches, and groove wear. Significant surface noise but music remains audible.
Poor/Fair (P/F)	P or F	Barely playable. Only for hardcore collectors or very rare items. Major defects.

Visual Inspection Guidelines

1. Lighting is Everything

Proper inspection requires good lighting. Hold the record at an angle under bright light to see surface marks that aren't visible straight-on. A desk lamp with a flexible arm works perfectly.

2. What to Look For

• Scratches: Light vs. deep, length, and whether they're in the direction of the grooves or across them (worse)
• Scuffs: Light marks from sliding in/out of sleeves or being handled
• Hairlines: Fine marks visible at certain angles—usually don't affect play
• Fingerprints: Can often be cleaned but may indicate poor handling
• Groove wear: Gray or white appearance in grooves from repeated play
• Warps: Hold record at eye level and look for curves or waves

3. The Shine Test

A vinyl record in NM condition should have a mirror-like shine. As condition decreases, the surface becomes duller due to scuffs and microscratches. This is often your first visual indicator of grade.

Play-Testing Standards

Visual grading can only tell you so much. The true test is how a record sounds.

What to Listen For:

1. Surface noise: Crackles, pops, and static between tracks or during quiet passages
2. Skips and jumps: Places where the needle loses its place (unacceptable for VG+ and above)
3. Distortion: Caused by groove damage or dirt
4. Sibilance: Exaggerated "S" sounds indicating groove wear
5. Channel drop-out: When one speaker cuts in and out

Common Grading Mistakes

Over-Grading (Grade Inflation)

Many sellers grade too generously. A true Near Mint record should look and sound nearly perfect. If you have to squint to see scratches, it's probably VG+ at best.

Confusing Visual and Audio Grades

A record can look VG+ but sound NM if the marks are superficial. Conversely, it can look great but have groove damage causing noise. When in doubt, grade conservatively.

Not Grading Sleeve Separately

Always grade the record and the sleeve separately using the same standards. Format: "NM/VG+" means the vinyl is Near Mint, the sleeve is Very Good Plus.

Grading Colored Vinyl

Colored vinyl requires extra attention:

• Scratches are harder to see on some colors (especially clear or light-colored pressings)
• Use multiple light angles to catch all defects
• White or gray grooves are more obvious on dark colors—this indicates serious wear
• Clouding or hazing can occur in translucent vinyl—note this in your description

Special Considerations

Factory Defects vs. Damage

Some marks are from manufacturing, not use. Non-fill (small dimples), edge warp, and off-center pressings are factory issues. Note these separately from condition grading.

Cleaned vs. Uncleaned Records

Always note if a record has been professionally cleaned. A cleaned VG+ record can sound near VG++, while a dirty NM record might sound VG.

Age Considerations

Be realistic with older pressings. A 1960s record in true VG+ condition is exceptional. Don't expect the same mint-level perfection as modern pressings.

Practical Grading Steps

Follow this checklist when grading your vinyl:

1. Clean the record first (you're grading the vinyl, not the dirt)
2. Visual inspection under good light at multiple angles
3. Check for warps by holding at eye level
4. Play-test including quiet passages and run-out grooves
5. Grade conservatively (when in doubt, go down a notch)
6. Note any defects beyond the grade (scratches, scuffs, warp, etc.)
7. Grade sleeve separately using same standards

Communicating Grades When Selling

When listing records for sale, follow these best practices:

• Use the Goldmine abbreviations (NM, VG+, etc.)
• Grade both vinyl and sleeve (e.g., "NM/VG+")
• Describe specific defects even within the grade
• Note if play-tested or visually graded only
• Mention cleaning or any restoration
• Include photos of any significant flaws

Final Thoughts

Accurate grading protects both buyers and sellers. It builds trust in the collecting community and ensures that rare pressings are valued appropriately. When in doubt, grade conservatively—you'll develop a reputation for honesty, and buyers will return.

Remember: A VG+ record that's accurately graded is worth more than an NM record that turns out to be VG. Honesty and accuracy are the hallmarks of respected collectors.