Our grading is based on the U.S.A. "Goldmine Magazine" grading standard, with the added conservative grade of [NM-].

Our Record Grading Guide [Quick]:
For more detailed goldmine descriptions including cover grades see below...

[M] or [SS]: Only Used for Still Sealed (Unopened) records.

[NM]: ABSOLUTELY STONE MINT, PERFECT (Our highest grade for non-sealed records)

[NM-]: A few whisper scuffs from paper sleeve (does not affect sound) otherwise, ABSOLUTELY STONE MINT. Other guides may refer to this grade as "Excellent" [E] or [VG++]

[VG+] : Some light scuffs/marks that DO NOT affect play.

[VG]: Light scuffs/marks that affect play with a faint pop here and there, no deep scratches (no clicks*). Perfectly acceptable copy. *If any deep scratches (clicks) exist it will be clearly noted in the items description.

We grade very conservatively, you will find that we grade down, so our VG is generally what other stores call VG+
We only sell records that are in playable condition.
We do not sell records that contain multiple heavy deep scratches (clicks), or heavy background noise.

We list the record grade first followed by the cover grade in our descriptions: record is NM / cover is VG+ = NM/VG+

All items and grading are 100% guaranteed.

If you are dissatisfied with the condition of your purchase you may return it for a full refund.

Goldmine Grading Guide
© Goldmine magazine

The Goldmine grading guide is considered to be the standard for record collectors worldwide.

Mint [M]: Absolutely perfect in every way - certainly never played, possibly even still sealed. (More on still sealed below). Should be used sparingly as a grade, if at all.

Near Mint [NM or M-]: A nearly perfect record. Many dealers won't give a grade higher than this implying (perhaps correctly) that no record is ever truly perfect. The record shows no obvious sign of wear. A 45 rpm sleeve has no more than the most minor defects, such as almost invisible ring wear or other signs of slight handling.
An LP jacket has no creases, folds, seam splits or any other noticeable similar defect. No cut-out holes, either. And of course, the same is true of any other inserts, such as posters, lyric sleeves, and the like. Basically, Near Mint looks as if you just got it home from a new record store and removed the shrink wrap.

*Near Mint Minus [NM-]: With the exception of light scuffs from the paper sleeve, the record shows no obvious sign of wear. Near Mint Minus looks as if you just got it home from a new record store and removed the shrink wrap, pulled the record out to look at it, never played it and put it back in the sleeve, creating a light scuff that does not affect play. A 45 rpm sleeve has no more than the most minor defects, such as almost invisible ring wear or other signs of slight handling.
An LP jacket may display some slight wear but has no creases, folds, seam splits or any other noticeable similar defect. No cut-out holes, either. And of course, the same is true of any other inserts, such as posters, lyric sleeves, and the like. Other guides refer to this grade as "Excellent" [E] or [VG++]

Very Good Plus [VG+]: Shows some signs that it was played and otherwise handled by a previous owner who took good care of it. Record surfaces may show some slight signs of wear and may have slight scuffs or very light scratches that don't affect one's listening experience. Slight warps that do not affect the sound are OK.
The label may have some ring wear or discoloration, but is should be barely noticeable. The center hole is not misshapen by repeated play. Picture sleeves and LP inner sleeves will have some slight wear, lightly turn-up corners, or a slight seam-split. An LP jacket my have slight signs of wear also and may be marred by a cut-out hole, indentation or corner indicating it was taken out of print and sold at a discount.
In general, if not for a couple of minor things wrong with it, this would be Near Mint. All but the most mint-crazy collectors will find a Very Good Plus record highly acceptable.

Very Good [VG]: Many of the defects found in a VG+ record are more pronounced in a VG disc. Surface noise is evident upon playing, especially in soft passages and during the song's intro and fade, but will not overpower the music otherwise. Groove wear will start to be noticeable, as will light scratches deep enough to feel with a fingernail) that will affect the sound.
Labels may be marred by writing, or have tape or stickers (or their residue) attached. The same will be true of picture sleeves or LP covers. However, it will not have all of these problems at the same time, only two or three of them.

Good [G], Good Plus [G+]: Good does not mean bad! A record in Good or Good Plus condition can be put onto a turntable and will play through without skipping. But it will have significant surface noise and scratches and visible groove wear.
A jacket or sleeve has seam splits, especially at the bottom or on the spine. Tape, writing, ring wear or other defects will start to overwhelm the object. If it's a common item, you'll probably find another copy in better shape eventually. Pass it up. But if it's something you have been seeking for years, and the price is right, get it.

Poor [P], Fair [F]: The record is cracked, badly warped, and won't play through without skipping or repeating. The picture sleeve is water damaged, split on all three seams and heavily marred by wear and/or writing. The LP jacket barely keeps the LP inside it. Inner sleeves are fully seam split, and written upon.
Except for impossibly rare records otherwise unattainable, records in this condition should be bought or sold for no more than a few cents each.

Still Sealed [SS] : Let the buyer beware, unless it's a U.S. pressing from the last 10-15 years or so. It's too easy to reseal on. Yes, some legitimately never-opened LPs from the 1960s still exist. But if you're looking for a specific pressing, the only way you can know for sure is to open the record. Also, European imports are not factory-sealed, so if you see them advertised as sealed, someone other than the manufacturer sealed them.

*Further detail added to the GGG by Rarebro Records.

Pressings

There is always some amount of confusion due to many pressing runs of the same title: originals, re-issues, multiple original pressing runs and foreign subsidiary releases. Rarebro Records has outlined these descriptions regarding record pressings:

UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED ALL RECORDS ARE U.S.A. PRESSINGS

As most of our recordings are from the USA, USA Original will be noted as just "Original" if it is the first USA pressing.

If you have any questions regarding pressings or wish to submit pressing/discography info please contact us

USA Pressings:

1. ORIGINAL

This is the USA original first pressing.

Example: John Coltrane - A Love Supreme - Impulse Records 1964

2. VINTAGE

This is a vintage (OLD) pressing from the same time period as the original recording but was manufactured a year(s) later then the first pressing (2nd or later pressing run).

Example: John Coltrane - A Love Supreme - Impulse Records 1965
Example: John Coltrane - A Love Supreme - Impulse (ABC) Records 1969

3. REISSUE

This is a recent pressing not from the original time period and is possibly still in print.

Example: John Coltrane - A Love Supreme - Impulse Records 2010

Foreign Pressings:

1. ORIGINAL

This is the (FOREIGN COUNTRY) *original first pressing**.

Example: Bob Marley & The Wailers - Catch A Fire - Tuff Gong Records 1973 - (Jamaican) Original

2. VINTAGE

This is a vintage (OLD) pressing from the same time period as the original recording but was manufactured a year(s) later then the first pressing (2nd or later pressing run).

Example: Bob Marley & The Wailers - Catch A Fire - Tuff Gong Records 1978 - (Jamaican) Vintage

3. REISSUE

This is a recent pressing not from the original time period and possibly still in print.

Example: Bob Marley & The Wailers - Catch A Fire - Island Records 2010 - (Jamaican) Reissue

*Please note: Regardless of what country issued a recording first, "original" refers to the first pressing of the recording in that specific country. Generally the first release/pressing comes from the country that produced it, however many pressings were recorded in one country and released in another first or released at the same time in different countries.

Example:
Bob Marley & The Wailers - Catch A Fire - Tuff Gong Records 1973 : (Jamaican) Original
Bob Marley & The Wailers - Catch A Fire - Island Records 1973 : (USA) Original

The **one exception to this will be original Venezuelan pressings of already existing USA records which were imported to the USA. These will be referred to simply as vintage:

Example: Jimmy Sabater - Teresa Son - (Venezuelan) Vintage