Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
48 visit
ome
oin
embers
scussion
xhibits
ticles
AQs
nks
uction
pprovals
nu
mbler
maintained by Andrew Busmanis. Last update April 22, 2009, 5:55 am EST
rama Gazette
Articles
Introduction
Business Cards
Ethics
ers
Webmaster
er Messages
Used (U)
Other Resources
w Messages
nt Messages
nd a Message
roduction
sing in 24 Hrs
New Items
es
Introduction
torial
Welcome to the stamp descriptive terms FAQ! We've added this page to help SOR
ction FAQ
members and visitors sort through some of the mysteries of the many terms and
scriptive Terms
als
board and as we post items in our Stamporama auction. What follows below is a
er Guide
terms that are commonly used to identify a stamp's "condition" (mint, used, etc.
tegories
opposed to its "condition" (VF, F, VG, etc.). Confusing, isn't it? That's what we tho
Books
too...
w Books
mplates
It is our hope that SOR auction sellers and buyers will use this page as a commo
cing
reference as we list and bid on the many different stamps and covers that are on
Buyers
auction page on a daily basis. Having a common language as we list and bid on l
m Sellers
go a long way towards improving our auctions and avoiding potential disappointm
on Board
and disputes between buyers and sellers. As you'll see from the definitions below
w User Inf.
are many common terms for the same type of stamp. We hope, with everyone's
participation, that this list will help to shed some light on the many stamp terms
see from day to day and give us a common language to use on this and other sit
st 30 Postings
always though, if a bidder has any questions at all, just link on the seller's name
ow Topics
arch
load an Image
mat a Message
oticons
Email Maint.
ny Page
reen Width
row
lot page to ask that question. Asking a question in advance saves more questions
We invite comments and ideas to help improve our list. The work done here repre
the results of a discussion on the SOR Discussion Board over which terms are the
ones to use when describing stamps. Out of that, Randy, Ralph, Ken, Dan, David,
(our intrepid weblord) and I sat down to actually read the front sections of our ol
catalogues (the boring part without any stamp listings in it) and consulted other
sites to see if we could come up with a usable and easy to access list for Stampo
visitors. This is the result. We hope that you will enjoy our collective efforts.
de
er
Online
Top
Mint Never Hinged (MNH)
s Only
Only
Also known as
**
Never hinged
Unused (a term used in different ways by different people, which can mean
type of Mint stamp or MNH. It is best to check with the other party for a sp
definition when a stamp is described in this way.)
A Mint, Never Hinged stamp is generally described as a mint stamp with absolute
disturbances on the gum on the back of the stamp. It also has not been retouche
regummed in any way (in general, older, classic stamps may have been regumm
they were issued to give the impression that they still have their original gum int
Top
A Mint Hinged stamp is one that shows disturbance on the gum of the stamp due
stamp hinge being used to mount the stamp at some point in that stamp's lifetim
degree that the hinge mark is noticeable is often used to refine the term into ligh
heavy hinge. Whether or not the whole hinge or part of the hinge is still attached
stamp is not important - the fact that a stamp hinge was once applied to that pa
stamp and is noticeable is all it takes to place it in this category.
Top
Mint - Disturbed Gum (MDG)
Also known as
Damaged gum
This category is for stamps that have faults in the original gum that are not the r
stamp hinges. Humidity, contact with moisture, and stamps sticking to old album
and then removed are common examples of disturbed gum. Once again, the amo
original gum left (most refer to +/- 50% of the original gum) on the stamp is a
distinction that's made amongst some dealers and collectors. M-DG stamps are a
Ungummed
The stamp has not been postally used; however, there is no gum left on the back
stamp. Some early stamps were issued without gum; and these are usually note
catalogues. Some collectors describe M-NG stamps as having little value; there is
aftermarket for unused (uncancelled) stamps sold at deep discounts from face; f
face stamps, this could be significantly more than its used value. In addition, ma
Postally used
Cancelled
These are stamps that have found a purpose in life and have been "used" to send
through the postal system (or on revenue documents, etc.). On used stamps, the
quality of the stamp determines its value more than anything else. Factors such a
centering; perforation quality; colour freshness (these first three are also determ
factors in all mint stamps); heavy, light or normal cancels; and the type of cance
are factors to take into consideration when selling or buying used stamps. Some
examples of specific types of cancels are SON (socked on the nose), Bullseye, Fa
cancels, Cork Cancels and Ring Cancels.
Top
Used - Cancelled to Order (CTO)
CTOs are mint stamps cancelled by postal authorities or authorized agents and h
never seen postal duty. Most CTOs have gum on the back, but some are sold mo
paper or with special cancellations on envelopes or paper. Notable CTO countries
former Eastern Bloc countries and Middle Eastern states. German inflation issues
common example of early CTOs. CTOs are usually not considered desirable by co
but, with some issues of stamps, postally used examples are very hard to obtain
some catalogues like Scott's will list values for CTOs and place a premium on pos
used copies.
Top
Used- Precancel (PCL)
There are several types of precancels. They include those with some type of canc
well as service-inscribed stamps, with the intended service (pre-sorted first cla
non-profit being two examples) either part of the stamp or applied after printing
before sale.
Top
Other Resources
Here are some sites which have more information about stamp collecting terms a
Final Word
Most stamp catalogues will only list a few of the above terms with their stamps. T
Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue lists MNH, MH and Used for early issues
only MNH and Used for modern issues. Michel (a German catalogue) lists MNH, M
NG, M-DG and Used for earlier issues and only MNH and Used in modern issues.
French catalogue) lists MNH, M-NG and Used for older issues and MNH and Used
modern issues.
Top
Index to FAQ's
Top of Page