Near Mint Minus (MN-): The record has been handled with a high degree of care and may look unplayed.
Near Mint Minus (MN-) Audio Clip
NM- Album Cover: NM covers are free of creases, ring wear and seam splits of any kind. A NM- Cover may have very, very slight rounded corners
Very Good Plus (VG+): The record may show some slight signs of wear, including light scuffs or very light scratches or blemishes that do not affect the listening experience. Slight surface noise may be heard during softer passages or ballads.
Very Good Plus (VG+) Audio Clip
VG+ Album Cover: VG+ covers should have only minor wear and/or very minor creasing. A VG+ cover might have some very minor seam wear or a split (less than one inch long) at the bottom.
Very Good (VG): The record will have more obvious flaws. Groove wear and some dullness may be evident. Blemishes and light scratches (some feelable) are common with a VG record. It will have surface noise that should not distract most listeners.
Very Good (VG) Audio Clip
VG Album Cover: Will have many signs of handling. Ring wear in the middle or along the edges of the cover where the edge of a record would reside, is obvious, though not overwhelming. Some more creases might be visible. Seam splitting will be more obvious; it may appear on all three sides, though it won’t be obvious upon looking. Someone might have written or it or stamped a price tag on it, too.
Good Plus (G+): The record still plays through without skipping. It can have significant surface noise and groove wear. The surface noise may/will be a distraction for most listeners.
Good Plus (G+) Audio Clip
G+ Album Cover: More ring wear, edge wear, heavier creasing and more predominant writing than a VG Cover.