Do You Collect Mint Or Used?

i collect used as much as possible. I want to keep my collection as consistent as possible.

I generally collect whatever I can get my hands on. If I find a stamp that I really like and find interesting, I'll try to get a MNH copy.

As far as CTO's to me they are a last resort...but if thats all that is available to fill a space..i will use em !

I collect used when possible but will take mint when I have to.

Dianne

Mint where I can afford, Used when I can't afford Mint or for a nice cancel. Postally used is always better than per favor cancels but I still like the looks of a nice CTO block.

I have always collected both, but now am concentrating more on used since, as a general rule, I can create a more complete collection.

I do prefer used stamps as a general rule. However, there are no rules without some exceptions. Since many stamps are also a work of art, I like to include a mint stamp in the collection as well for some of the nicer ones. The details of the stamps are better displayed on a mint stamp.

Also, for the stamps which are riddled with fake postmarks, I am happy with a mint stamp instead. I know I'm not well enough trained to spot the fake ones, yet anyway. So I play it safe.

As many, I started by collecting mnh stamps. But, today I collect some countries used and others on postal history covers or FDC for latest issues. In the later, I always look for the most relevant postmark (if there are more than one). Anyway, my main interest is Postal History. So, used stamps are a must!.

I prefer mint, but don't mind used if the cancel doesn't distract from the design too much. If there is a stamp design I really like, I try to get a mint copy. Of course, doing that all the time would cost $$$! I HATE CTOs...

Like so many others who prefer mint stamps, I simply cannot afford the majority of minst classics. Postally used stamps with CDSs and fancy cancels are nice, too!

As long as the image of the stamp is reasonably visible and not obliterated by a massive dense cancel, I collect used in the classics for the most part. And mint for the post 1900 stuff when I can get it reasonably.

My albums are full of both. I started out collecting used and as my income grew I started to upgrade to mint. Of course, most of the early ones will stay used because of cost. I could create another album for just mint and keep my current album for my used. Depending on cost, I'll collect MNH, MLH, MH or Used. ie, I have nice used copies of the C13-C15, C18 and MLH C13-C14, C18 and MNH C18. I'm still looking for a nice MLH C15.

Art

I have to admit with the Ottoman Turkish stamps, I like the used look. The old Turkish cancellations add
to the beauty and also depending on the cancellation it can also increase the value of a stamp!

I tend to be OCD when it comes to stamps. If I have a any blank space in the album it HAS to be filled. Mint if possible, used if I can't afford the mint price. I am beginning to warm up, however, to used. I look differently at them now. The postally used stamp did its job. It went through the mailstream and was the workhorse to get the piece from Point A to Point B.

And to me that is the real satisifaction of most things - the journey.

I used to collect what I could afford (as a kid made no difference to me). But one day someone told me to choose used or mint. So I chose mint. Bought everything that was used in mint (well almost, I'm not a millionaire). Now I've got Canada 'till 2011 all mint with less than 80 used and with more or less 35 holes in my albums. I never buy used stamps anymore. Just have to wait and save up a little more before buying another stamp.