The Playboy magazines are graded by common sense. I do not use the grade "Mint". This is the most over-used, misleading term in the business. "Mint" means absolutely perfect. It is hard to find a "Mint" Playboy magazine. I use Near Mint as the highest grade. A plus (+) after a grade indicates the item is a bit better than that grade, but not quite to quality of the next highest grade. For Example: FN+ indicates a bit better than Fine, but not quite a Very Fine.

Good (G): A very-read and handled copy. Expect some spine wear, creases, small tears on pages or covers, minor stains, loose centerfolds, or faded or dirty covers. It is impossible to list all of the various things that might be wrong with a copy in this grade, however, they are not badly mutilated or damaged. They are complete and do hold collectible value. These copies make excellent reader or filler issues. Note: A few copies may have minor water damage. A few of the entries have a grade of "Poor" listed; this is a bit worse than the rating of "Good" described above.

Very Good (VG): An average read copy with normal handling. May have faded covers, creases, or chafing here and there, dog-eared corners on some pages. The centerfold could be loose and/or have a fold or crease in it. Overall, these copies are a bit better than the grade "Good".

Fine (FN): The most popular grade. These are tight, flat, solid copies with minimal signs of wear. Perhaps a glossy cover, may have some light spine wear, or a crease where a corner was folded under. The front cover may have rubber stamp, or a date neatly written on it.

Very Fine (VF): Cover shows luster, possible small defects could include small rub spots from initial shipping, fray at top or bottom of the spine, small curl on the corners. Note: A few older copies in this grade may have the year neatly written on the front cover.

Near Mint (NM): These are the very best copies in the inventory. They are almost perfect. These copies speak for themselves.

New: These are newsstand leftovers, or warehouse finds which have not been read. They may have minor defects from initial shipping. Close to "Near Mint".

3/4 Cover: The word "Playboy" has been cut from the front cover; this was how credit was given to stores for unused copies.