AMG Grading FAQ: Your Top Questions Answered
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Whether you're submitting your first record or your fiftieth, these are the questions AMG hears most. Here's the short, straight answer to each.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why grade and encapsulate music?
Grading is core to any collectible space — it inspires trust between sellers and collectors, ensures authenticity, and sets a consistent standard for an item's condition instead of leaving it to a seller's description.
Why AMG specifically?
Four reasons: trust (collectors can count on the authenticity of anything in an AMG slab), a premier grading standard (an unbiased, proprietary 1-10 scale), protection (a sonically sealed, tamper-evident case), and value (grading and encapsulation help ensure the highest achievable value for your piece).
What products can I send in?
Vinyl records, cassette tapes, CDs, and 8-tracks, across three categories: sealed, open, and autographed. Encapsulation options range from a standard acrylic case to side-by-side display with the original packaging to a fully custom layout.
How does the process work?
Five steps: create or log into your account at audiomediagrading.com, complete an online submission form for each item, securely pack and ship your submission to AMG, AMG authenticates, grades, and encapsulates your items, and AMG returns your order via FedEx.
What's the standard turnaround time?
Roughly 4-6 weeks from when the submission arrives at AMG. Items needing autograph authentication or custom cases take approximately 8 weeks. Need it faster? 7 Day Express is $250, and 48 Hour Express is $500 (only applies to AMG grading service; autograph authentication cannot be expedited).
How much does grading cost?
Base pricing starts at $75 for vinyl and $50 for CDs, cassettes, and 8-tracks, with additional costs for display upgrades, expedited service, or autograph authentication. See the full pricing breakdown →
Can I get a signed record authenticated?
Yes — AMG partners with JSA for autograph authentication, offering either a Letter of Authenticity or full autograph grading, and also accepts existing PSA and Beckett COAs. See the JSA Authentication page →
What if my item is resealed instead of factory sealed?
The seal must be original. If AMG determines an item has been resealed, it may be considered for refusal.
Is my grade backed by anything?
Yes — AMG's Authenticity and Grade Guarantee covers items later found to be improperly graded or inauthentic, up to a per-item cap. Details are on the Grade Guarantee page →
How do I verify an item is genuinely AMG-graded?
Every AMG-graded item carries a tamper-proof, serial-numbered hologram that's searchable through AMG's HoloID Lookup tool →
Submit Your Records
Have a question that's not covered here? Visit the full AMG FAQ → or start your submission at audiomediagrading.com →