The Goldmine/GEMM grading standards are used with the following exception:EX Excellent
EX assigns a grading category between M- and VG+. A near flawless pressing, with only a few very minor clicks or a pop, due to manufacturing, not from use.
All items are visually inspected under high intensity lighting, and most are play graded, with the exception of cassettes and reel to reel tape.
Description Codes as follows:
bc- back cover
bl/w - black/white
bot - bottom
cc - cut corner
co - company
ctr - center
cvr - cover
dh - drill hole
dj - disc jockey
ep - extended play
fc - front cover
g/fold - gatefold
inner - inner sleeve
lbl - label
lg - large
lttrs - letters
m/s - mono/stereo
mks - marks
pic - picture
ps - picture sleeve
promo - promotional
rw - ring wear
sd -side
sec - seconds
sl - slight
slv - sleeve
sm - small
soc - stamp on cover
sol - stamp on label
sp - special
sw - shrink wrap
tol - tape on label
w/ - with
wl - white label
wobc - writing on bc
wol - writing on label
wos - writing on sleeve
wr - wear
"Goldmine Standard" grading:
SS Still Sealed
Never opened. Flawless, with no damage whatsoever.
M- Mint Minus
Has been opened, but is still flawless
with no damage whatsoever.
VG+ Very Good Plus
Vinyl: May have scuff marks and signs of some wear but
will still play almost perfectly throughout, with only
"barely detectable" crackles or pops. A slight noise at the
begining is allowable, but the remainder must be nearly flawless.
Cover: May only have the slightest signs of normal wear.
VG Very Good
The majority of records (worth selling) fall under this grade.
Vinyl: May crackle, pop or make other annoying noises, but only
occasionally,never continuously, and not more loudly than the
music being listened to.
Cover: Normal used cover wear such as ring wear and split seams.
If there is abnormal damage such as tears or markings,
but the seller still feels that it qualifies as a "VG",
the damage must be described in comments attached to the item.
G+ Good Plus
Vinyl: May have continuous crackles, pops, etc... but not so loud as to
make the music completely unlistenable or unenjoyable to the
casual listener.
Cover: More than normal wear and tear.
If the above policy leaves any doubts, please refer to GEMM's generally accepted Grading Standard
