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Record Collector Rare Price Guide
2006
Grading System
In order
to assist everyone who buys and sells rare discs, Record Collector
magazine has originated a set of standards for the condition of
second-hand records, cassettes and CDs. Anyone buying or selling records
through the magazine must use our conditions to state what amount of wear
and tear the disc, its sleeve and/or contents have been subject to. The
seven standard condition categories, and a description of what each one
means, are listed below:
MINT:
The record itself is in brand new condition with no surface marks or
deterioration in sound quality. The cover and any extra items such as the
lyric sheet, booklet or poster are in perfect condition. Records
advertised as Sealed or Unplayed should be Mint.
EXCELLENT:
The record shows some signs of having been played, but there is very
little lessening in sound quality. The cover and packaging might have
slight wear and/or creasing.
VERY GOOD:
The record has obviously been played many times, but displays no major
deterioration in sound quality, despite noticeable surface marks and the
occasional light scratch. Normal wear and tear on the cover or extra
items, without any major defects, is acceptable.
GOOD:
The record has been played so much that the sound quality has noticeably
deteriorated, perhaps with some distortion and mild scratches. The cover
and contents suffer from folding, scuffing of edges, spine splits,
discoloration, etc.
FAIR:
The record is still just playable but has not been cared for properly and
displays considerable surface noise; it may even jump.
The cover and contents will be torn, stained and/or defaced.
POOR:
The record will not play properly due to scratches, bad surface noise,
etc. The cover and contents will be badly damaged or partly missing.
BAD:
The record is unplayable or might even be broken, and is only of use as a
collection-filler.
CDs & As a general rule, CDs and cassettes either play perfectly — in
CASSETTES: which case they are in Mint condition — or they don't, in which
case their value is minimal. Cassette tape is liable to deteriorate with
age, even if it remains unplayed, so care should be taken when buying old
tapes. CDs are difficult to grade visually: they can look perfect but
actually be faulty, while in other cases they may appear damaged but still
play perfectly. Cassette and
CD inlays and booklets should be graded in the same way as record covers
and sleeves. In general, the plastic containers for cassettes and CDs can
easily be replaced if they are broken or scratched, but card covers and
digipaks are subject to the same wear as record sleeves.
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