The Goldmine Standard: A Complete Guide to Vinyl Record Grading

Buying second-hand vinyl can be exciting, but understanding the condition of a record is an important part of collecting. If you have ever browsed used records online or in a record shop, you have probably come across terms such as NM, VG+, VG and G. These grades are part of the Goldmine Standard, one of the most widely recognised systems for grading vinyl records and their sleeves.

At Relic Records, accurate and consistent record grading is an important part of buying and selling second-hand vinyl. Whether you are looking for a classic album, a rare pressing or simply adding to your collection, understanding the Goldmine grading scale can help you know exactly what to expect from a record before you buy it.

In this guide, we explain how the Goldmine Standard works, what each vinyl record grade means, how record sleeves are graded, and what to look for when buying second-hand vinyl.

What Is the Goldmine Standard?

The Goldmine Standard is a grading system used to describe the condition of vinyl records and their sleeves. It was developed by Goldmine magazine to give record collectors, dealers and sellers a consistent way of describing the condition of used records.

Rather than relying on subjective descriptions such as "excellent" or "good condition", the Goldmine system uses a recognised scale ranging from Mint (M) through to Poor (P).

The Goldmine grading scale is:

M → NM → VG+ → VG → G+ → G → F → P

The higher the grade, the better the condition.

The system is particularly useful when buying second-hand vinyl records online, where you cannot physically inspect the record before purchasing it. A consistent grading system gives buyers a much clearer idea of the condition of the vinyl and sleeve.

How Does Vinyl Record Grading Work?

When a record is graded, the vinyl and the sleeve are normally assessed separately.

This is important because the record and its sleeve can have very different levels of wear. For example, you might find a record with an almost flawless NM vinyl disc inside a sleeve with noticeable ring wear. Alternatively, a beautifully preserved sleeve might contain a record that has been heavily played.

A record listed as:

NM / VG

would generally mean the vinyl is Near Mint, while the sleeve is Very Good.

When grading the vinyl, factors such as these are considered:

• Scratches and scuffs
• Hairlines and surface marks
• Groove wear
• Warping
• Spindle marks
• Label condition
• Surface noise
• Pops and clicks
• Skipping or repeating

The sleeve is assessed separately for:

• Ring wear
• Seam splits
• Creases and folds
• Corner and edge wear
• Writing
• Stickers and sticker residue
• Tears
• Water damage
• Fading

A careful record seller should assess the vinyl under good lighting and, particularly when assigning higher grades, consider its playback as well as its visual condition.

The Goldmine Vinyl Grading Scale

Let's take a closer look at what each Goldmine record grade means.

Mint (M)

Mint is the highest possible Goldmine grade and should be used very sparingly.

A Mint record is considered to be in absolutely perfect condition, with no defects or signs of use. In practical terms, this will usually mean a record is still factory sealed or can otherwise be confidently considered completely unplayed.

A genuinely Mint record should have:

• No scratches or scuffs
• No visible signs of handling
• No spindle wear
• No groove wear
• No playback issues
• A sleeve with no noticeable defects

Because truly perfect records are extremely rare, experienced record dealers are generally very cautious about assigning a Mint grade.

If an opened, older record that has clearly been played is described as Mint, it is worth taking the description with a degree of caution.

Near Mint (NM)

Near Mint is the highest grade you will commonly encounter for a used vinyl record.

A Near Mint record is almost perfect and should show very little evidence of having been played or handled. The vinyl should be clean and free from obvious scratches, scuffs or significant wear.

A Near Mint record should generally:

• Look almost like new
• Have no significant scratches or marks
• Have minimal or no spindle wear
• Have no noticeable groove wear
• Play cleanly
• Have a sleeve with very little, if any, wear

Near Mint does not necessarily mean the record has never been played. Rather, it means that any previous use has left little or no noticeable evidence.

For collectors searching for high-quality second-hand vinyl, NM is often the benchmark.

Very Good Plus (VG+)

Very Good Plus is one of the most desirable grades for second-hand vinyl.

A VG+ record has been played and handled, but has been well cared for. You may see some light surface marks, faint scuffs or other minor signs of use, but these should not significantly affect playback.

A VG+ record may have:

• Light surface marks or hairlines
• Minor scuffs
• Some spindle wear
• Minor sleeve wear
• Occasional faint surface noise

The key distinction is that the wear should generally be cosmetic rather than significantly affecting the listening experience.

For many vinyl collectors, VG+ represents the sweet spot between condition and price. A well-cared-for VG+ record can look and sound excellent without carrying the premium often associated with a Near Mint copy.

Very Good (VG)

Very Good records show more noticeable signs of use but remain playable and enjoyable.

At VG, you will generally see more obvious surface marks and scratches than on a VG+ record. Surface noise can also become more noticeable, particularly during quieter sections of an album, intros and fade-outs.

A VG record may have:

• Visible scratches and scuffs
• Noticeable surface noise
• Some groove wear
• More pronounced spindle wear
• Writing, stickers or residue on the label
• More obvious wear to the sleeve

A Very Good record should still provide a worthwhile listening experience, but you should expect to hear some evidence of its previous life.

For rare vinyl records, a VG copy can still be an excellent purchase, particularly when a higher-grade copy would be considerably more expensive or difficult to find.

Good Plus (G+)

Good Plus indicates a record with significant wear, but which remains playable.

At this level, surface noise, scratches and other signs of use become much more obvious. A G+ record should generally still play through, although the listening experience will be noticeably affected.

You may encounter:

• Significant surface noise
• Numerous scratches and scuffs
• Noticeable groove wear
• Audible clicks and pops
• Heavier label wear
• Significant sleeve wear
• Seam splits, writing or stickers

G+ records can make sense when you are looking for an inexpensive copy of an album, a placeholder copy, or a particularly rare pressing where better-condition examples are difficult to find.

Good (G)

Good does not mean "good condition" in the everyday sense.

This is one of the most important things to understand about the Goldmine Standard.

A record graded Good has substantial wear. It can generally still be played through, but significant surface noise, scratches and groove wear should be expected.

A G record may have:

• Heavy surface noise
• Numerous scratches
• Audible pops and clicks
• Significant groove wear
• Worn or marked labels
• Heavily worn sleeves
• Seam splits
• Writing, tape or stickers

Good-condition records are generally most appealing when the title is rare, expensive in better condition, or when you simply want a playable copy without spending as much.

Fair (F)

Fair records are heavily worn and have significant defects.

At this point, the condition is substantially compromised. The record may have major scratches, warping, heavy surface noise or other damage that affects playback.

The sleeve can also be heavily damaged, with issues such as severe seam splits, water damage, extensive writing or significant deterioration.

Fair copies are generally purchased because of the rarity or collectability of the particular pressing rather than because of their condition.

Poor (P)

Poor is the lowest Goldmine grade.

A Poor record is severely damaged and may be cracked, badly warped or otherwise unable to play properly. Skipping, repeating and other serious playback problems can be expected.

The sleeve may also be severely damaged or may no longer adequately protect the record.

Poor-condition records are generally of interest when the pressing itself is particularly rare, or when someone is looking for a copy for restoration, parts or archival purposes.

Goldmine Vinyl Grading: Quick Reference Guide

What Do the "+" and "-" Signs Mean?

You may sometimes see grades such as VG+, VG- or G+ when shopping for second-hand vinyl.

A plus (+) generally indicates that the record is at the better end of that particular grade. For example, VG+ is better than VG, but it does not reach NM.

A minus (-) indicates that a record is at the lower end of a particular grade.

The exact use of plus and minus grades can vary between individual sellers, so it is always worth checking the grading policy of the shop or marketplace you are buying from.

The most important thing is to understand the main Goldmine grade and any additional description provided by the seller.

Why Is the Record Sleeve Graded Separately?

Vinyl records and their sleeves experience wear in different ways, which is why they should be assessed independently.

A record could be:

NM / VG

This means the vinyl itself is in Near Mint condition, while the sleeve has more noticeable wear.

Alternatively:

VG+ / NM

Here, the sleeve is in excellent condition, but the vinyl shows more signs of previous use.

For collectors, sleeve condition can be particularly important. Original artwork, inner sleeves, lyric sheets, posters, inserts and other packaging can contribute significantly to the collectability and value of a record.

When buying a collectable vinyl record, it is therefore worth considering both the condition of the record and the completeness and condition of its original packaging.

Does a Higher Grade Always Mean a Better Record to Buy?

Not necessarily.

The best grade for you will depend on the album, its rarity, its price and how you intend to use it.

For a common album, you may prefer to spend a little more on a VG+ or NM copy because there are plenty of examples available.

For a rare or highly sought-after pressing, however, a VG copy may be a great find. Paying a substantial premium for NM condition is not always worthwhile if your main goal is simply to listen to the record.

As a general guide:

NM: Ideal for collectors looking for exceptional condition
VG+: An excellent balance of condition and value
VG: A playable copy with noticeable signs of use
G+/G: Budget copies, rare titles or placeholder copies
F/P: Primarily for very rare records, restoration or collecting purposes

Condition is only one part of a record's value. Pressing, rarity, demand, edition, label, catalogue number and completeness can all have a significant impact on what a record is worth.

What Should You Look For When Buying Used Vinyl?

Understanding the Goldmine Standard is a great starting point, but there are a few other things worth considering when buying second-hand records.

Check the pressing

Two copies of the same album can be very different records. Different countries, years, labels and catalogue numbers can indicate different pressings, and some may be considerably more collectible than others.

Consider the condition of the sleeve

If you are buying a record for your collection, don't overlook the sleeve. Original artwork, inserts and other components can be an important part of a record's collectability.

Look beyond the grade

A grade gives you a useful overall indication of condition, but a detailed description can provide additional context. If a seller mentions specific scratches, surface noise, seam splits or other defects, take those details into account.

Think about what matters to you

If you are primarily buying records to listen to, a VG or VG+ copy may offer much better value than paying a significant premium for NM.

If you are building a serious vinyl collection, condition and completeness may be much more important.

There is no single "right" grade to buy. It comes down to what you value most.

How Relic Records Grades Vinyl

At Relic Records, we know that buying second-hand vinyl is about more than simply finding an album you love. The condition of the record matters, particularly when you are buying online and cannot inspect it yourself.

That's why clear and consistent grading is so important.

We use the Goldmine Standard as a guide when assessing the condition of our second-hand records, considering both the vinyl and the sleeve. Where relevant, we also provide additional information about noticeable marks, wear or other imperfections so you can make an informed decision before purchasing.

Our aim is simple: to make buying used vinyl records online as transparent as possible, whether you are a seasoned collector or buying your very first second-hand record.

Why Accurate Vinyl Grading Matters

The Goldmine Standard gives vinyl collectors a common language.

Without a grading system, descriptions such as "excellent condition", "very clean" or "good for its age" can mean completely different things to different sellers. Goldmine grading provides a more consistent way to communicate the physical condition of a record before a buyer commits to a purchase.

For sellers, accurate grading helps build trust with customers. For buyers, understanding the grading scale helps you compare records, make informed decisions and avoid paying NM prices for a record that is actually VG or G+.

The golden rule is simple: grade conservatively and describe defects honestly. It is always better for a record to arrive in better condition than expected than for a buyer to discover that its condition has been overstated.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Goldmine Standard

What is the Goldmine Standard for vinyl records?

The Goldmine Standard is a widely used grading system for describing the condition of vinyl records and their sleeves. It ranges from Mint (M), the highest grade, through to Poor (P), the lowest.

Is VG+ better than VG?

Yes. VG+ (Very Good Plus) indicates a record in better condition than VG (Very Good). A VG+ record can show minor signs of use, but should generally have considerably less wear and surface noise than a VG copy.

Is NM better than VG+?

Yes. Near Mint (NM) is a higher grade than VG+. An NM record should show very little evidence of previous use, while VG+ records can have minor visible wear and signs of playback.

What is the best condition for a used vinyl record?

Near Mint is generally considered the best condition for a used record. However, VG+ is often considered an excellent balance between condition and price, particularly for common albums.

What does VG mean on a record?

VG stands for Very Good. A VG record has noticeable signs of use, such as scratches, scuffs and some surface noise, but should remain playable.

What does G mean on a vinyl record?

G stands for Good. Despite the name, a Good record has substantial wear and can have significant surface noise, scratches and groove wear. It should generally still be playable, but the listening experience will be noticeably affected.

Why are vinyl records and sleeves graded separately?

The record and sleeve can experience very different levels of wear. A vinyl disc might be NM while its sleeve is VG, for example. Grading them separately gives buyers a more accurate picture of the overall condition of the record.

The Bottom Line

The Goldmine Standard for vinyl records might seem complicated when you first encounter abbreviations such as NM, VG+ and G, but the basic principle is straightforward: the higher the grade, the better the condition.

For most second-hand vinyl buyers, the grades you will encounter most often are Near Mint (NM), Very Good Plus (VG+) and Very Good (VG).

If you are looking for a record that is close to new, NM is the grade to look for. If you want excellent condition without paying the highest possible price, VG+ is often the sweet spot. And if you are happy with some signs of wear and surface noise, VG can offer excellent value, particularly for older or harder-to-find records.

Once you understand the Goldmine grading scale, those mysterious letters and symbols on second-hand vinyl listings become much easier to navigate. More importantly, you can shop with confidence and know what to look for when building your record collection.

Looking for your next record? Explore the second-hand vinyl collection at Relic Records and find your next addition to the collection.