How Much Is My Vinyl Record Worth?

You have a huge vinyl record collection and decided to sell some of them thinking that they're worth a great deal of money. If they are in good condition, they probably are valuable; if not, they are just plain old and are not worth even in your own collection. How much a person is willing to pay another person or business for that specific vinyl record is the worth of the record. However, there are many factors and variables to consider putting value on a record. A 50-year old vinyl record of the most famous band or artist in poor condition won't command a good resale price compared to a week-old record in mint condition.

In putting value to the record, the condition of the vinyl records is the supreme determining factor. Although there is no standard in grading and appraising vinyl records, but the "Rockin' Records" price guide, written by Jerry Osborne has been a widely accepted grading method. According to this method, the vinyl records are given a certain grade as to their condition:

Mint (M) - an absolutely perfect recrod in every way - to allow for a tiny blemish or flaw, this record would be considered Near Mint, which is the highest grade used in the Osborne price guides and what the prices in the record guides reflect.

Very Good (VG) - records in this condition should have a minimum of visual or audio imperfections that do not detract from your enjoyment and listening pleasure. After this grade, you may see a plus or minus.

Good (G) - this grade may mean the record is a good enough copy to fill a gap in your collection until you can get a better copy. This record will show obvious signs of wear and tear and play all the way through without skipping.

Lower graded vinyl records, unless they are the rarest of the rare, are not worth much.

Osborne also suggests a ten point grading scale and some feel that this system allows for a more precise description of the record than the mint, very good, good scale. The scale is as follows:

10 - Mint

9 - Near Mint

8 - better than VG but below NM

7 - VG

6 - better than Good but below VG

5 - Good

4 - better than Poor but below Good

3 - Poor

2 and 1 - why bother adding these to a collection?

Again, the most critical factor when buying and selling is the condition of the vinyl record. Find a trustworthy seller or buyer and ascertain which method he is using to assess what he has for sale. But the condition is not the only factor in appraising vinyl records, there are other factors involved such as: scarcity, demand, history, artist or group, LP jackets, inserts, picture sleeves, the year of release, the record label, and stereo vs. mono. As long as you know the value of your vinyl record, vinyl record collecting can be a fun and lucrative hobby or business.