Grading ▶
How to grade a copy
Every copy gets two grades: one for the media (the discs or tapes) and one for the packaging (the case, artwork, slipcover and inserts). A flawless disc in a battered case is common, and the two grades say so.
Grade what you see under a good light, not what you hope. When you are between two grades, choose the lower one. For a set, grade to its worst disc and mention the others in your notes.
SealedStill in its original factory wrap, never opened.
- Discs
- Not graded on its own: you can't see it. Tick Still factory sealed on your copy and it counts for both the media and the packaging.
- Tapes
- As for discs.
- Case, slipcover and inserts
- The original factory wrap is intact, with any security or studio seal stickers. A resealed or shop-wrapped copy is not Sealed; grade what you can see and say so in your notes. Tears or holes in the wrap belong in your notes too.
Like newOpened, but with no marks or wear you can find.
- Discs
- No scratches, scuffs or fingerprints on the playing side, even under a strong light. The label side is clean.
- Tapes
- The shell and labels are clean and unmarked. The tape is evenly wound, with no creases at the leader and no white specks or dust inside the window.
- Case, slipcover and inserts
- Looks unhandled. Sharp corners, no shelf wear, no price stickers or residue. Every insert, booklet and card is present and flat. Hubs and clasps hold firmly.
Very goodLight signs of use that don't affect play or stand out.
- Discs
- A few hairline marks that show only when you tilt the disc to the light. Nothing you can feel with a fingernail. Plays perfectly.
- Tapes
- Light handling marks on the shell; labels intact, perhaps slightly rubbed. Plays with a steady picture and clean sound.
- Case, slipcover and inserts
- Minor shelf wear: slightly soft corners on a slipcover, light rubbing, a faint crease. A case may have light scuffs. All inserts present.
GoodClearly used, with visible wear, but plays without trouble.
- Discs
- Visible surface scratches or scuffing across the disc, but none deep, and it plays through without skipping or freezing.
- Tapes
- Worn or partly peeling labels, a scuffed shell. Plays through, though you may see occasional tracking lines or a brief dropout.
- Case, slipcover and inserts
- Obvious wear: creased or dented slipcover, a sun-faded spine, sticker residue, a small tear, a cracked but working case. An insert may be missing; say which.
AcceptableHeavy wear; plays through, perhaps with minor faults.
- Discs
- Heavy scratching. Plays, but may skip, freeze briefly or need a second try to load. Say where if you know.
- Tapes
- Noticeable picture noise, tracking problems or muffled sound in places, or a rental copy with heavy use. Still plays from start to end.
- Case, slipcover and inserts
- Heavy wear: torn or water-marked artwork, a split slipcover, broken hubs so the disc sits loose, writing or rental stickers on the cover, missing inserts.
DamagedBroken, incomplete or does not play properly.
- Discs
- Cracked, warped, rotted (bronzing or pinholes you can see through) or scratched so deeply that it will not play through.
- Tapes
- Mold (white or grey powder on the tape edges, visible through the window), snapped or crinkled tape, a broken shell, or it will not play. Do not put a moldy tape in a player.
- Case, slipcover and inserts
- Missing altogether, or the artwork is ruined: a disc in a blank case, a tape with no sleeve, a cover torn in pieces.
Things worth a note
- Ex-rental copies: stickers, security tags and a replaced case, even when the tape or disc itself is clean.
- Anything missing that the edition was sold with: slipcover, booklet, art cards, a digital code sheet, a bonus disc.
- Cut-outs, punch holes, remainder marks and club-edition markings.
- Faults the whole pressing is known for. Those belong on the edition itself too; see the contributor guidelines.