Media Grading: NM.  Sleeve Grading: NM
Both media and sleeve are practically MINT!!

Notes

Barcode and Other Identifiers

More images

Metallica – Death Magnetic

Tracklist

Companies, etc.

• Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Blackened Recordings
• Copyright © – Blackened Recordings
• Manufactured By – Warner Music Group
• Published By – Creeping Death Music
• Recorded At – Sound City Studios
• Recorded At – Shangri-La, Malibu, CA
• Recorded At – HQ, San Rafael
• Mixed At – The Sound Factory
• Mixed At – Punkerpad West
• Mastered At – Record Technology Incorporated – 17790
• Lacquer Cut At – AcousTech Mastering
• Pressed By – Rainbo Records – S-66870
• Pressed By – Rainbo Records – S-66871
• Pressed By – Rainbo Records – S-66872
• Pressed By – Rainbo Records – S-66873

Credits

• Arranged By [Strings], Conductor [Strings] – David Campbell
• Coordinator [Album Production Coordination] – Lindsay Chase
• Design [Album Design] – Turner Duckworth
• Edited By [Digital Editing] – D.D. Erlich, Dan Monti, Dana Nielsen, Kent Matcke
• Engineer – Greg Fidelman
• Lacquer Cut By – KPG*
• Lyrics By – Hetfield*
• Management – Q Prime Inc.
• Mastered By – Ted Jensen
• Mixed By – Andrew Scheps
• Mixed By, Recorded By – Greg Fidelman
• Other [Assisted By] – Adam Fuller, Jason Gossman, Jason Mott, Joshua Smith, Sara Killion
• Performer – James Hetfield, Kirk Hammett, Lars Ulrich, Robert Trujillo
• Photography [Album Photography] – Britt Hull, Craig Snelgrove, David Turner (10), Gavin Hurrell, Harper Reed
• Photography [Band Photography] – Anton Corbijn
• Photography [Cover Photography] – Andy Grimshaw
• Producer – Rick Rubin
• Recorded By [Additional Recording] – Mike Gillies
• Written-By – Hetfield*, Hammett*, Ulrich*, Trujillo*

• Barcode: 8 56115 00469 9
• Barcode (Scanned): 856115004699
• Rights Society: ASCAP
• Matrix / Runout (Side A runout, etched): 1-508732-A Re S-66870 KPG@ATM 17790.1(3)...
• Matrix / Runout (Side B runout, etched): 1-508732-B Re S-66871 KPG@ATM 17790.2(3)...
• Matrix / Runout (Side C runout, etched): 1-508732-C Re S-66872 KPG@ATM 17790.3(3)...
• Matrix / Runout (Side D runout, etched): 1-508732-D Re S-66873 KPG@ATM 17790.4(3)...

The Goldmine Standard for grading is used for my vinyl listings:

Mint (M)

The sleeve and cover are absolutely perfect in every way. To qualify as Mint, the record must never have been played and is possibly still sealed. Mint should be used sparingly as a grade, if at all. Note that a record can be sealed and not Mint. There could be sleeve discoloration, ring wear, or vinyl warp if guidelines on how to store vinyl were not followed. If you suspect your record is in Mint condition, do not play it.

Near Mint (NM or M-)

A nearly perfect record. A Near Mint (NM) record has more than likely never been played. The vinyl will play perfectly, with no imperfections during playback. The record should show no obvious signs of wear. The sleeve of a 45 of EP should have no more than the most minor defects, such as any sign of slight handling. The LP cover should have no creases, folds, seam-splits, cut-out holes, or other noticeable similar defects. The same should be true of any other inserts, such as posters, lyric sleeves, etc. Many dealers won’t give a grade higher than NM, implying (perhaps correctly) that no record is ever truly perfect.

Very Good Plus (VG+)

A Very Good Plus (VG+) record will show some signs that it was played and handled by a previous owner who took good care of it. Any defects are of a cosmetic nature and do not affect the actual playback. In theory, a VG+ record should sound the same as a Near Mint (NM) one. Vinyl surfaces may show some signs of wear, such as slight scuffs or very light scratches. Slight warps that do not affect the sound are okay. The label may have some ring wear or discoloration, but it should be barely noticeable. Spindle marks may be present. Picture sleeves and inner sleeves will have some wear, slightly turned-up corners, or a small seam-split. An LP cover may have sparse signs of wear and may be marred by a cut-out hole, indentation, or cut corner. In general, it plays perfectly, and if not for some minor aesthetic wear, it would be Near Mint.

Very Good (VG)

The defects found in a Very Good Plus (VG+) record will be more pronounced in a Very Good (VG) item. Surface noise will be evident upon playing, especially in soft passages and during a song’s intro and fade, but will not overpower the music otherwise. Groove wear will start to be noticeable, such as with light scratches (deep enough to feel with a fingernail) that will affect the sound. Labels may be marred by writing, or have tape or stickers (or their residue) attached. The same will be true of picture sleeves or LP covers. However, a VG item will not have all of these problems at the same time.

Good, Good Plus (G, G+)

A record in Good (G) or Good Plus (G+) condition can be played through without skipping, but it will have significant surface noise, scratches, and visible groove wear. A cover or sleeve will have seam-splits, especially at the bottom or on the spine. Tape, writing, ring wear, or other defects will be present. While the record will be playable without skipping, noticeable surface noise and “ticks” will almost certainly accompany the playback.

Poor, Fair (P, F)

The record is cracked, badly warped, and won’t play through without skipping or repeating. The picture sleeve could be water damaged, split on more than one seam, and heavily marred by wear or writing. The LP cover barely keeps the LP inside it. Inner sleeves are fully split, crinkled, and written upon. Poor (P) or Fair (F) records are generally worth very little, at most 5% of the Near Mint (NM) price.