In philately, a mint stamp is a stamp which is in its original state of issue, is unused, has never been mounted and has full gum, if issued with gum. The term applies equally to postage stamps and revenue stamps.
In practice, the term is used within philately to refer to any stamp that appears to be unused, including those without gum, or previously hinged.
Unlike other collectibles, a mint stamp may be in poor condition but still be regarded as being in mint condition as long as it is apparently unused.
Read more about Mint Stamp: Variations, Value, Tampering
Famous quotes containing the word stamp:
“If she must teem,
Create her child of spleen, that it may live
And be a thwart disnatured torment to her!
Let it stamp wrinkles in her brow of youth,
With cadent tears fret channels in her cheeks,
Turn all her mother’s pains and benefits
To laughter and contempt, that she may feel
How sharper than a serpent’s tooth it is
To have a thankless child!”
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616)