Every record we sell at House of Vinyl is graded using the Goldmine Grading Standard — the industry benchmark used by serious collectors and dealers worldwide. Here's exactly what each grade means, and what to expect when your record arrives.
Why Grading Matters
Vinyl condition affects everything: sound quality, playback noise, and value. A Near Mint pressing of a classic 12" plays like a different record to a VG copy of the same title. We grade honestly and conservatively — if we're unsure, we grade down, not up.
The Grades
Mint (M)
Perfect in every way. Unplayed, often still factory sealed or removed from shrink wrap for grading only. No marks, no scuffs, no sleeve wear. The highest grade possible — and genuinely rare on original pressings.
Near Mint (NM or M-)
Nearly perfect. The record has been played but shows no visible signs of wear. Surfaces are clean and shiny with no marks visible to the naked eye. Plays with no noise. The standard for a "as new" record that has been out of its sleeve.
Very Good Plus (VG+)
Shows some signs of play but still plays near-perfectly. You may see light scuffs or hairlines under direct light, but these should not affect playback. A VG+ record should play with minimal surface noise. This is the most common grade for well-kept second-hand records.
Very Good (VG)
Visible marks and scuffs that will produce some surface noise during playback — particularly in quiet passages. Still very listenable, and often the grade for original pressings that have had a life. Priced accordingly.
Good (G) / Good Plus (G+)
Heavily played with significant surface noise throughout. The record plays from start to finish but the listening experience is compromised. Typically only worth buying for very rare titles where better copies don't exist.
Poor (P) / Fair (F)
Damaged, cracked, or so heavily worn as to be barely playable. We rarely stock records at this grade.
Sleeves Are Graded Separately
We grade media (the record) and sleeve independently. A record listed as "Near Mint (NM) / Very Good Plus (VG+)" means the vinyl is NM and the sleeve is VG+. Generic sleeves — plain white or black paper inners — are noted as such and not graded.
New Stock From Distributor
Many of our records are new stock sourced directly from distributors — represses and reissues that arrive shrink-wrapped and unplayed. These are graded Mint (M) and represent the best possible condition for a new pressing.
A Note on Original Pressings
Original pressings from the late 1980s and early 1990s — Acid House, early Techno, early House — were often pressed on lower-quality vinyl and played hard in clubs. Do not expect audiophile quality from an original Trax Records or DJ International pressing. What you're buying is history. We note this clearly in our listings.
Any questions about a specific record's condition before you buy? Get in touch and we'll give you a straight answer.
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