Record Castle Grading Standards
Sealed (SS)
Near
Mint (NM)
Excellent (EX)
Very Good
Plus (VG+)
Very Good (VG)
Good
Plus (G+)
Good (G)
Fair to
Poor (FP)
Detailed Description for vinyls
cover graded first / vinyl graded second
Sealed (ss)
Self-explanatory. Some record companies in the 60's sealed the
disc in a plastic inner bag but not the record jacket. These are graded
jacket=(as appropriate) / disc="sealed." For instance a VG+ jacket and sealed
disc would be: VG++/sealed. Otherwise, a sealed item has only one grade.
Near Mint (NM)
This is the highest grade used by Record Castle for an
unsealed item. "Mint" is not used as a grade because, without a microscope and
40 minutes of inspection per record, perfection cannot be verified to everyone's
satisfaction. Near Mint ranges from a record appearing unused, to an item that
may have been used, but is without a notable cosmetic defect as evidence of that
use.
Excellent (EX)
This grade refers to an attractive, fresh-in-appearance
item that, upon closer inspection, has been disqualified from the NM category
due to (usually) one flaw that could not be overlooked.
Very Good Plus (VG+)
This is the broadest grade serving as a catch-all for
any decent, presentable, average, usable (not marred or defective) item. People
ordering VG+ items usually are prepared to accept an imperfect item representing
the artifact that it is, and are going to enjoy it without being excessively
preoccupied with cosmetic details. VG+ is a fine copy that is indisputably
"used", being your basic "decent used record" for utilitarian purposes. .
Very Good (VG)
This is the beginning of "rough" for collector's purposes.
A VG record is usually one that a collector will buy to fill a "hole" in his/her
library until a better copy comes along. We usually don't advertise items with
either VG covers or discs unless they are deemed scarce enough to attract a
collector for this purpose.
Good Plus (G+)
Averaged between VG and G,
Good (G)
Items graded "good" are very used and only presentable to the
least discriminating record hunter. This classification is usually employed for
jackets when it's the disc that's worth collecting, and vice-versa; or when the
component in question is very rare and still a COLLECTIBLE item.
Fair to Poor (FP)
Extremely bad condition
CODES USED IN COMMENTS (shown for items VG+ or better):
chp/cchp: edge chip/center hole chip
ct: cover tear
cr: crack
cc/coh: cut-out/cut corner
dsh: dish warp
lt: label
tear
nc: no cover
nol: number on label
sk: skip
sm.splt/sp: seam
split
soc: sticker on cover
sobr: sticker on back cover
sol:
sticker on label
sw: shrink wrap
ts: taped seam
tpc: tape on
cover
wrp: warp
wobc: writing on back cover
woc: writing on front
cover
wol: writing on label
xol: X on label
Detailed Description for Posters / Paper goods
Near Mint (NM)
Perfect condition - no flaws
Excellent (EX)
Beautiful condition - almost new - may have slight fading,
light bends or corner dings. NO holes.
Very Good (VG+)
A nice item with light wear - may have a light crease or a
few clean tack holes
Very Good (VG)
A vintage item in decent shape but shows it's age - may
have folds / stains / multiple tack holes / chipped edges
Good (G)
Severe damage - but is listed as it's a rare item -