To help you in your search, here is a guide to the ratings commonly used to describe the condition of a vinyl record and its sleeve.
Vinyl record ratings:
- STILL SEALED: Factory-sealed record, never opened. The record is presumed new, but this can only be verified upon opening.
- MINT: Record with no defects or scratches that would indicate it has been handled or even played.
- NEAR MINT: Record without scratches, with a perfectly shiny appearance. A few rare micro-scratches with no impact on the sound are allowed. The label is clean, shiny, and unmarked.
- EXCELLENT: Record with an almost perfect surface, with only a few micro-scratches and/or one or two scratches with no impact on the sound. The record is shiny, the label is clean and unmarked.
- VERY GOOD +: Record with visible wear, with some scratches with limited impact on the sound. The sheen remains good, the label is clean but may have minor imperfections (small sticker, initials, etc.)
- VERY GOOD: Record with visible scratches causing minor surface noise without overpowering the music, but no skips. The record may appear dull, the label may be worn and have larger inscriptions, but remains perfectly legible.
- GOOD: Record clearly worn, dull, showing deeper scratches causing noticeable crackling. The record plays through without major irregularities, the label may be significantly damaged or faded.
- FAIR: Record with a clearly damaged surface, with deep scratches, pronounced crackling, and skips. Listening to this type of record is unpleasant, and it should only be acquired if it is particularly rare or in anticipation of a better copy.
Sleeve ratings:
- STILL SEALED: Sleeve in its original cellophane.
- MINT: Absolutely perfect sleeve (corners without deformation, no creases, marks or tears whatsoever, no circular wear due to the thickness of the record).
- NEAR MINT: Sleeve close to perfection, showing only minor signs of wear.
- EXCELLENT: Sleeve with minor circular wear and slight corner creases, but no other creases, edge tears, or writing. The artwork is clean and without wear.
- VERY GOOD +: Clean sleeve but with minor writing and/or slight circular wear causing the artwork to show early signs of wear. Other possible defects: slight discoloration, minor edge wear without tearing, small corner creases.
- VERY GOOD: Visibly worn sleeve. The edges are splitting or have been repaired with tape, circular wear is pronounced but the artwork remains attractive. Other possible defects: discoloration, large writing, stickers, various marks, damaged corners.
- GOOD: Sleeve showing several of the above defects clearly. To be acquired only in anticipation of a better copy.
- FAIR: Unusable.
