Joseph,
The grade is of little consequence to me if I can hear the music clearly and crisply with minimal surface noise distraction, and if the front of the cover looks nice. I have an original copy of Coltrane “Live at the Village Vanguard” that looks like death but has a nice cover and plays probably at a VG++/VG+ level. Got it for single clams because it was graded G, and since it was in person, I had the chance to sample it on the store turntable. I didn’t let on that their visual grade was way off from the play grade. But if a mint copy came along for the right price I’d probably scoop it up.

Of course, when buying on eBay, I rarely if ever buy anything graded below VG+, since I can’t really make the determination myself.

I do not require mint copies. I do, however, typically prefer first pressings if I can get them. I would only pay 1/3-1/2 the price of a NY Prestige for the same release on NJ labels, for example, mostly because I just like the idea of original documents, not because I think they are superior. The few reissues I have along those lines I am very happy with, but knowing your copy likely came off the press as a brand-new release that few people had ever heard yet is a fun feeling indeed!

But that’s just me.