>> Near mint   
       Near mint Pretty much looks perfect. There may be a very minor blemish, but I'd probably mention it.

>> VG + +  
       Really good condition. Perhaps the very slightest of ring wear or a slight signs of price sticker removal. Maybe a carefully done, small rubber-stamped "name" in a back cover margins; possibly a tiny rough spot or two on the seam. Here again, I would mention any real problems.

>> VG +
       The seams may be a little roughed-up, or there is an ink name on the back, or a corner may have been bent, or perhaps there is some obvious ring wear or maybe a little "schmutz" here & there, not bad, but noticeable. A bad seam split or clear-tape holding a seam-split would probably automatically make a cover, at most, a VG+. With all this, the cover graphics and backside of the cover would have to be in pretty good shape.

>> VG  
       It would have to be a damn good (or scarce) album for me to put up a VG cover, plus the record, itself, would be in good condition. I would probably use this rating in combo with VG+ (i.e. VG/VG+) and a detailed description.

>> VG-
       I have never listed a VG- cover, nor do I intend to list one. AS YOU MAY HAVE NOTICED, I put more grading value in the record, over the cover. I mention all obvious extraneous writing and any splits, stickers, names, promo markings or other obvious cover "flaws".