Vintage cars in optimal states of repair may be described as being in mint condition.
This Ukrainian stamp is unused and therefore is in mint condition.

Mint condition is an expression used to denote the quality of a pre-owned good as displaying virtually no imperfections and being in pristine condition relative to its original production state. Originally, the phrase related to the way collectors described the condition of coins. As the name given to a coin factory is a "mint", then mint condition is the condition a coin is in when it leaves the mint.[1]

Variations

The term mint condition may be used to describe a variety of collectible items, including action figures, dolls, toys, stamps,[1] records,[2] comic books, video games and similar items.[3] The term may have a slightly different meaning in each case. For instance, when describing trading cards, "perfect" condition is used to describe the condition as it is when pulled from a pack, while "mint" would be new but opened. Similar gradations of mint condition exist for other collectibles based on their specific characteristics. For example, a postage stamp may be mint or mint never hinged.

Abbreviations include:[4]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Thorp, Prescott Holden (1953). The Complete Guide to Stamp Collecting. New York: Minkus Publications. p. 136. OCLC 2866199.
  2. ^ Shuker, Roy (2010). Wax Trash and Vinyl Treasures: record collecting as a social practice. Surrey, UK: Ashgate Publishing. p. 140. ISBN 0-7546-6782-0. Retrieved 2010-01-10. vinyl record condition ratings +mint.
  3. ^ Benton, Mike (1985). Comic Book Collecting for Fun and Profit. New York: Crown Publ. p. 51. ISBN 0-517-55702-9.
  4. ^ "A guide to collecting barbies: preservation, finding and other tips". essortment.com. Archived from the original on 2009-04-08. Retrieved 2010-08-13.
Category