Mint stamp
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.
Variations
Variations of the term mint include:
Mint hinged (MH) – the stamp is unused but has been previously hinged. Remains of the hinge or gum disturbance are visible.
Mounted mint (MM) – the same as Mint hinged.
Mint no gum (MNG) – the stamp appears to be unused but has no gum. It might have been used but not cancelled, or have been issued without gum.
Unmounted mint (UM) – the stamp is unused and appears never to have been mounted.
Mint never hinged (MNH) – the same as unmounted mint but with an assertion that the stamp is not a formerly mounted stamp that has been tampered with to remove traces of mounting.