VMG Grading Rubric
VMG Grading Rubric
Gem Mint
10
- A perfect album and cover.
- The cover has no wrinkles or creases, no writing, scuffs, scratches, or dents. There are no saw-cuts, notches, or cut corners. There is no evidence of stickers or tape, still present or removed, and the seams are perfectly intact. There is no softening of corners due to wear or shrink.
- The spine has sharp printing, with no splits, paper loss, wrinkles, or fraying.
- The vinyl has perfect gloss, with no scratches or scuffs, warping or dimpling.
- The label is perfectly centered on both sides, and lacks spindle marks, fraying around the center hole, writing, paper loss, and other print defects or stains.
Near Mint
(NM)
9
- The cover, including the seams, may have few small/tiny wrinkles, dents, marks or scratches that are not distracting from the eye appeal of the cover and are limited to the outer edges. The color is sharp, with minimal loss of sharpness on close inspection. Ring wear may be starting to present very faintly but without color loss. There are no saw-cuts, notches, or cut corners, and no writing or stains on either the front or back.
- The spine may have minimal wrinkling/creasing but no paper loss or corner fraying. There are no splits.
- The vinyl has nearly no gloss loss, very few hairline scratches, including the run out, barely noticeable to no warping, no dimpling, and no deep scratches that can be felt.
- The label has minimal, hard to see spindle marks, faint wrinkling at the center hole, no writing or print defects, and minimal to tiny paper loss (i.e. a tiny crack in the paper) limited to the center hold and interior ridges. The centering of all labels averages 55/45.
Excellent
(E)
8
- The cover has a notable handful of tiny marks, nicks or wrinkles, including at the seams and away from the center of the cover. There is very minor ring wear on inspection, and there may be a loss of sharpness in color on a glance, particularly on the edges. There are very few dents, scuffs or scratches, and no saw-cuts, cutouts, writing, nor any evidence non-factory stickers or tape.
- The spine has few tiny spots of ink loss on the letters (all characters are legible though), with few tiny wrinkles, areas of minor paper loss, or frays on the edges. There are no splits.
- The vinyl may have spotted scattered areas of gloss loss, limited to a few tracks and faint questionable groove wear. There is a handful of fine scratches, including on the run out. The warping is slightly notable, but does not appear as if it would affect playback. There are no dimples or deep, palpable scratches.
- The label has minimal, but noticeable spindle marks, noticeable wrinkling at the center hole, no writing, stains or print defects. Paper loss is minimal but more than tiny areas, typically in the cracks. The label centering averages 60/40.
Very Good Plus
(VG+)
7
- The cover has small marks or nicks and some paper loss, including the seams. Small wrinkles are mostly towards the outside of the cover or the back. Ring wear is more noticeable at a glance, but the normal art is still visible. Any loss of color is approaching the middle, making it more distracting. Scuffs, scratches or small dents are becoming notable at a glance. A larger dent may be noted, even if it is a factory flaw. There are no saw-cuts, cutouts, writing, nor any evidence of non-factory stickers or tape.
- The spine has a more noticeable bit of paper loss and wrinkling, perhaps a few millimeters in size. Fraying is more noticeable at one corner. There are no splits. Many letters have small spots of print loss, but are all still readable.
- The vinyl has 10-20% of gloss loss, and faint dulling or scuffing on a track or a few tracks. There are roughly 5-7 small scratches on each side. The warping may be notable but is still playable and would not appear likely to affect sound. There are no deep palpable scratches.
- The label has obvious spindle marks without paper loss. There may be wrinkling at the center hole with tiny paper loss, and other areas of paper loss that are more noticeable, but does not affect words or art. There are no print defects, stains or writing. The label centering on all labels averages 65/35.
Very Good
(VG)
6
The cover has more notable paper loss, but not distracting. Wrinkles are larger, more numerous, or one noticeable wrinkle within the center of the cover. Ring wear is present but original album color is maintained. There is color loss and dulling of the sharpness of the color towards the middle, and any writing is very minor and tough to see, typically in pencil or limited to the back cover. There may be an after-market sticker, or a dark or light area as evidence of where a sticker was removed, typically on the back. There are no hole punches, saw-cuts, or corner cuts. There are dozens of scratches when held up to the light, or few are easily visible. There may be minor splitting of one seam.
The spine may have a letter or number that is tough to read. There are no splits, and there may be one significant area of paper loss, small to medium wrinkles or creases or few approximately very small wrinkles or areas of paper loss. There is fraying on both corners.
The vinyl has 20-40% of gloss loss, with dulling/scuffing on multiple tracks. Roughly 5-10 hairline scratches are on each side, including the runout. There are no deep scratches that would be suspicious for causing skipping. The warping is notable, almost parabolic, but a viewer would be hopeful that it would not affect play.
The label has spindle marks obviously notable at a glance, with wrinkling and tiny indentation with some paper loss around the center hole. Paper loss pieces are roughly few millimeters. Print defects or stains are notable but not distracting. There may be some minor writing, which is tough to see, and typically in pencil. The centering of the labels averages 70/30.
Good Plus
(G+)
5
- The cover seams may have a small perpendicular rip or distracting paper loss. There are multiple wrinkles of about 1+ cm, including multiple in the center ring. Ring wear is starting to show whitening. There is some sun fading, and the color is dull. There may be some tiny paper loss. There are few letters of writing, light but visible on the front and/or back. There is a sticker or stickers that are unattractive (stained, frayed) or sticker marks or residue on the front. There are no hole punches, saw-cuts or corner cuts, and there may be large dents or scratches to the point of showing age and use. There may be minor splitting of multiple seams or a slightly larger split on one seam.
- The spine has multiple letters that are tough to read, and a couple larger wrinkles or points of paper loss are present. No splitting, but a corner may be starting to crack.
- The vinyl has areas of dullness of 40-50%, perhaps on one side more than the other. About 10+ non-palpable hairline scratches are on each side, approaching 25-30% of the vinyl. A scratch may be barely felt, worrying for skipping. The warping is notable, and would be concerning for hurting playback.
- The label has some paper loss, and paper loss around the center hole may be more notable, with creasing, wrinkling, and mild indenting. Paper loss is scattered, 2-3mm areas, and staining or print defects would be bothersome to the consumer. The average label centering is 75/25. There may be some writing, but only a few letters.
Good
(G)
4
- The cover has wrinkles on the front that are distracting, or a bigger crease outside the inner circle. Seam splitting is obviously visible. Ring wear shows spotty paper loss for <50% of the center circle. The cover otherwise has some scattered spotting of paper loss and notable sun fading. Sticker marks are large, with residue and staining on the front, or a removed sticker shows darker color due to surrounding fading. Writing may be in dark pen, as in initials or a full word. This is the maximum grade a cover with a saw cut or hole punch can get, but they must be clean. Overall, it is a used album, frequently touched, scratched or scuffed.
- The spine has an entire word or group of words lost, and may be just starting to tear. It may have about 20% paper loss, and is wrinkled up to 50%. Both corners are starting to crack.
- The vinyl has larger patches of dulling and scuffing, amounting to 50-75% of the surface. 50% of the album is scratched or scuffed, and there is a notable scratch that can be felt and would be expected to cause skipping. The warping is even more notable.
- The label has spindle marking creating notable paper loss, and there is paper loss around the circumference of the center hole, but it is thin. There are a couple more moderate indents around the hole. Writing is in pen, as a word or initials, and there are multiple areas of paper loss of over a few millimeters. Staining or print defects are distracting. The centering, on average, is 80/20.
Fair Plus
(F+)
3
The cover has distracting wrinkles on the front and back with larger creases towards the center. A seam may be starting to split, up to 20-50% torn. There is tearing at the opening as well. Ring wear shows scattered paper loss in a complete circle (or nearly complete), or full paper loss on <50% of the circle. The cover otherwise has notably lost spots of paper and fading is severe and obvious. There are many words in pencil written on it, or a few in pen. Stickers or price tags are in poor condition and sticker removal has left multiple stains. Scratches and scuffs are aplenty, an obviously worn and used album.
Most of the words on the spine are unreadable. It is 20-50% torn, with 20-50% paper loss, and a moderate number of medium sized wrinkles. Corner fraying extends a few millimeters toward the center of the spine.
The vinyl is not glossy, overall dull. 75% of the tracks have hairline scratches, and multiple very small palpable scratches (or one moderate scratch) would be concerning for causing skipping. The warping is significant, and unlikely to play correctly.
The label has multiple areas of paper loss, including at the spindle marking. Around the center hole are more indents, with paper loss spreading out. There may be a larger bit of 5+mm paper loss, and staining or print defects are very noticeable. Writing is distracting and extends through art and lettering. The label centering averages 85/15.
Fair
(F)
2
The cover has many 2+ inch creases, creasing and wrinkling in the middle, and the seams and opening can be 50% torn. Ring wear is notable, with paper loss making almost a complete thick circle. The album has lost notable paper in the center, and there is a notable word or initial written in marker, or many words written in pen. A consumer placed sticker may be seen. A corner is completely cut.
The spine has very few letters readable, and is 50% torn with over 50% paper loss. There are many moderate wrinkles or a very large wrinkle. Corners have basically no original paper cover at all.
The vinyl is near completely dull, with nearly no gloss and groove wear likely throughout. The tracks are about 85% scratched and scuffed, and there may be a very long scratch or multiple moderate scratches that are felt with a finger. Warping is severe.
The label has notable paper loss in the spindle marks but some areas of visible paper coverage. The center hole has indented notably and there is paper loss that is very notable around the center hole and extending outward. Writing consists of a notable word or initials in marker, or many in pen. There is an obvious focus of paper loss greater than a few millimeters, and staining or print defects greatly hurting the eye appeal.
Poor
(P)
1
The cover is severely creased, with large creases typically through the center of the album. The opening is ripped and shredded, and a seam or seams are split completely or almost completely. There is severe paper loss in the ring wear, which is typically complete, and art is illegible due to loss of paper. There is severe writing, often in marker. There are rips where tape or stickers were removed, or consumer applied stickers are obvious and distracting. The cover has severe scratching and scuffing, beyond normal wear, as if on purpose.
The spine is completely illegible, split, and paper loss is severe or complete. It may be completely creased and the corners are completely frayed.
The vinyl is completely dull, with no gloss. The tracks are universally scratched and scuffed, and many long scratches are present to the point of being suspicious for intentional after-market etching. The warping is severe, and the album may be missing pieces or cracked. There are severe deep dimples.
The label has paper loss that is severe, obvious and distracting, and the center hole has severe complete paper loss with a widened circle. The labels are both totally mis-cut (or one is SEVERELY mis-cut). Writing is severe and distracting, and sticker or tape damage may be present. The label may also be missing. The stains and print defects are severe and distracting.
Notes:
Obviously, not all records will fit perfectly into a specific grade. For instance, some covers may have some characteristics of an 8, such as only tiny wrinkles, and some characteristics of a 3, such as a severely torn seam. Oftentimes, the worst or more glaring flaws of the graded item will impact the subgrade, and total grade, disproportionately.
Eye appeal is considered in all grading, and may contribute to the grade beyond the specifics listed above. That contribution may be negative or positive.
Removing stickers from shrink may leave marks that are also considered in the grade if they are visible.
Cut corners, saw-cutting and hole punching were methods used by factories and record companies to ensure that items were not sent back for reimbursement as unsold. They were also sometimes used to mark an item as “promo – not for resale”. Although albums were often bought in stores like this, these items are still considered damaged, as cut-outs and hole punches severely damage the visual condition of a record cover (and to a lesser extent, the seal). These cuts were designed to damage the item so it could not be resold. The only “cut” album cover that could be considered mint is an album specifically die-cut as the standard design of the cover. Covers designed to be squares/rectangles, but intentionally cut or damaged by a customer, store, or record company are considered damaged. Please keep this in mind when submitting “sealed” or “mint” covers that have cut-outs.
VMG Grading Rubric
Gem Mint
10
A perfect seal and cover.
The cover has no wrinkles or creases, no writing, scuffs, scratches, or dents. There are no saw-cuts, notches, or cut corners. There is no evidence of stickers or tape, still present or removed, and the seams are perfectly intact. There is no softening of corners due to wear or shrink.
The spine has sharp printing, with no splits, paper loss, wrinkles, or fraying.
The seal is perfect, with only factory-made markings and breathe holes. No scuffs, scratches, tears, or aftermarket holes or cuts. Hype stickers, if present, are in perfect condition. There are no non-hype stickers or tags.
Near Mint
(NM)
9
The cover, including the seams, may have few small/tiny wrinkles, dents, marks or scratches that are not distracting from the eye appeal of the cover and are limited to the outer edges. The color is sharp, with minimal loss of sharpness on close inspection. Ring wear may be starting to present very faintly but without color loss. There are no saw-cuts, notches, or cut corners, and no writing or stains on either the front or back.
The spine may have minimal wrinkling/creasing but no paper loss or corner fraying. There are no splits.
The seal is not perfect. There are very few scratches or scuffs, typically seen on side lighting. There may be a tiny single hole, typically at a corner. Hype stickers, if present, are in nice condition, with only a tiny wrinkle or fray. There are no non-hype stickers or tags.
Excellent
(Ex)
8
The cover has a notable handful of tiny marks, nicks or wrinkles, including at the seams and away from the center of the cover. There is very minor ring wear on inspection, and there may be a loss of sharpness in color on a glance, particularly on the edges. There are very few dents, scuffs or scratches, and no saw-cuts, cutouts, writing, nor any evidence non-factory stickers or tape.
The spine has few tiny spots of ink loss on the letters (all characters are legible though), with few tiny wrinkles, areas of minor paper loss, or frays on the edges. There are no splits.
The seal has a few scratches or scuffs, barely noticeable but visible with the naked eye. There are few tiny holes at the corners. Hype stickers, if present, can have just a bit of wrinkling or peel. There are no non-hype stickers or tags.
Very Good Plus
(VG+)
7
- The cover has small marks or nicks and some paper loss, including the seams. Small wrinkles are mostly towards the outside of the cover or the back. Ring wear is more noticeable at a glance, but the normal art is still visible. Any loss of color is approaching the middle, making it more distracting. Scuffs, scratches or small dents are becoming notable at a glance. A larger dent may be noted, even if it is a factory flaw. There may be an after-market sticker, or a dark or light area as evidence of where a sticker was removed, typically on the back. There are no saw-cuts, cutouts, writing, nor any evidence of non-factory stickers or tape.
- The spine has a more noticeable bit of paper loss and wrinkling, perhaps a few millimeters in size. Fraying is more noticeable at one corner. There are no splits. Many letters have small spots of print loss, but are all still readable.
- The seal is visibly scuffed, and there may be a very small hole at a corner. The seal may also have a hole due to an after-market or promo (“not for resale”) punch hole into the cover, or a clean corner cut. Hype stickers, if present, may show mild peeling and scuffing. Any after factory stickers such as price tags would be in perfect condition.
Very Good
(VG)
6
The cover has more notable paper loss, but not distracting. Wrinkles are getting larger, more numerous, or one noticeable wrinkle within the center of the cover. Ring wear is present but original album color is maintained. There is color loss and dulling of the sharpness of the color towards the middle, and any writing is very minor and tough to see, typically in pencil or limited to the back cover. There are no hole punches, saw-cuts, or corner cuts. There are dozens of scratches when held up to the light, or few are easily visible. There may be minor seam splitting.
The spine may have a letter or number that is tough to read. There are no splits, and there may be one significant area of paper loss, small to medium wrinkles or creases or few approximately very small wrinkles or areas of paper loss. There is fraying on both corners.
The seal has more obvious scuffing and scratching with small holes at multiple corners. Hype stickers, if present, may be wrinkling, with minimal paper loss and some peeling and scuffing.
Good Plus
(G+)
5
The cover seams may have a small perpendicular rip or distracting paper loss, but no seam splitting. There are multiple wrinkles of about 1+ cm, including multiple in the center ring. Ring wear is starting to show whitening. There is some sun fading, and the color is dull. There may be some tiny paper loss. There are few letters of writing, light but visible on the front and/or back. There is a sticker or stickers that are unattractive (stained, frayed) or sticker marks or residue on the front. There are no hole punches, saw-cuts or corner cuts, and there may be large dents or scratches to the point of showing age and use. There may be minor splitting of multiple seams or a slightly larger split on one seam.
The spine has multiple letters that are tough to read, and a couple larger wrinkles or points of paper loss are present. No splitting, but a corner may be starting to crack.
The seal is covered in scuffs and scratches at up to 30% of the seal, worse on the back. There are small tears, typically at an edge. Hype stickers, if present, can be scuffed and scratched. After factory tags or stickers are just starting to fray or show minor wear.
Good
(G)
4
The cover has wrinkles on the front that are distracting, or a bigger crease outside the inner circle. Seam splitting is obviously visible. Ring wear shows spotty paper loss for <50% of the center circle. The cover otherwise has some scattered spotting of paper loss and notable sun fading. Sticker marks are large, with residue and staining on the front, or a removed sticker shows darker color due to surrounding fading. Writing may be in dark pen, as in initials or a full word. This is the maximum grade a cover with a saw cut or hole punch can get, but they must be clean. Overall, it is a used album, frequently touched, scratched or scuffed.
The spine has an entire word or group of words lost, and may be just starting to tear. It may have about 20% paper loss, and is wrinkled up to 50%. Both corners are starting to crack.
The seal has scuffing and scratching on about 30-50% of the back, 30% of the front, and there are multiple small tears or a medium sized tear. Hype stickers, if present, are scuffed, scratched or written on. After factory tags or stickers may show mild staining or peeling.
Fair Plus
(F+)
3
The cover has distracting wrinkles on the front and back with larger creases towards the center. A seam may be starting to split, up to 20-50% torn. There is tearing at the opening as well. Ring wear shows scattered paper loss in a complete circle (or nearly complete), or full paper loss on <50% of the circle. The cover otherwise has notably lost spots of paper and fading is severe and obvious. There are many words in pencil written on it, or a few in pen. Stickers or price tags are in poor condition and sticker removal has left multiple stains. Scratches and scuffs are aplenty, an obviously worn and used album.
Most of the words on the spine are unreadable. It is 20-50% torn, with 20-50% paper loss, and a moderate number of medium sized wrinkles. Corner fraying extends a few millimeters toward the center of the spine.
The seal is mostly scuffed or scratched on the back, and about 30-50% of front. There is a very large tear near an edge, or a smaller tear near the center. Hype stickers, if present, are scuffed, scratched or written on, and there may be some tearing. After factory tags or stickers may show staining and peeling, or some mild tearing.
Fair
(F)
2
The cover has many 2+ inch creases, creasing and wrinkling in the middle, and the seams and opening can be 50% torn. Ring wear is notable, with paper loss making almost a complete thick circle. The album has lost notable paper in the center, and there is a notable word or initial written in marker, or many words written in pen. A consumer placed sticker may be seen. A corner is completely cut.
The spine has very few letters readable, and is 50% torn with over 50% paper loss. There are many moderate wrinkles or a very large wrinkle. Corners have basically no original paper cover at all.
The seal is mostly scratched on the front, and there is a very large tear closer to the center or multiple smaller tears near the outside. Hype stickers, if present, are <50% peeled or ripped. After factory tags or stickers may show peeling, fraying and notable staining.
Poor
(P)
1
The cover is severely creased, with large creases typically through the center of the album. The opening is ripped and shredded, and a seam or seams are split completely or almost completely. There is severe paper loss in the ring wear, which is typically complete, and art is illegible due to loss of paper. There is severe writing, often in marker. There are rips where tape or stickers were removed, or consumer applied stickers are obvious and distracting. The cover has severe scratching and scuffing, beyond normal wear, as if on purpose.
The spine is completely illegible, split, and paper loss is severe or complete. It may be completely creased and the corners are completely frayed.
The seal is so scuffed it is difficult to see the cover. There are multiple tears (or a very large tear) removing >30% of the seal. Hype stickers, if present, are severely scuffed, scratched or written on, and peeling half-off or more, with paper loss approaching 50% of the sticker. After factory tags or stickers are stained, peeling, ripped, scratched, or written on, severely detracting from the eye appears.
Notes:
Obviously, not all records will fit perfectly into a specific grade. For instance, some covers may have some characteristics of an 8, such as only tiny wrinkles, and some characteristics of a 3, such as a severely torn seam. Oftentimes, the worst or more glaring flaws of the graded item will impact the subgrade, and total grade, disproportionately.
Eye appeal is considered in all grading, and may contribute to the grade beyond the specifics listed above. That contribution may be negative or positive.
Removing stickers from shrink may leave marks that are also considered in the grade if they are visible.
Cut corners, saw-cutting and hole punching were methods used by factories and record companies to ensure that items were not sent back for reimbursement as unsold. They were also sometimes used to mark an item as “promo – not for resale”. Although albums were often bought in stores like this, these items are still considered damaged, as cut-outs and hole punches severely damage the visual condition of a record cover (and to a lesser extent, the seal). These cuts were designed to damage the item so it could not be resold. The only “cut” album cover that could be considered mint is an album specifically die-cut as the standard design of the cover. Covers designed to be squares/rectangles, but intentionally cut or damaged by a customer, store, or record company are considered damaged. Please keep this in mind when submitting “sealed” or “mint” covers that have cut-outs.