Do You Collect Mint Or Used?

I always try to purchase the best unused stamp I can afford. Will always choose a well centered copy that is hinged over an off center, unhinged one.

I'd say used have more life in them, being a recorded reflection of places, times, events. Also a used stamp is the one that has managed to surve its purpose, while the mint ones, beautiful as they might look, seem a little mumified.

I collect both. Mint so that I can see and study the whole design uninterrupted; used to demonstrate when, where and how the stamps were used. But if it were possible for the Indian States stamps I collect, I'd have them all used on cover first.

I have only collected MNH Canadian stamps but have painted myself into a corner and I am slowly running out of mint items that I can afford without taking out a second mortgage on the wife.

So used items will find a home in my collection eventually.

I have to give 2 thumbs up to those that collect worldwide or at the least more than one country....my collection is Canada only and according to my wife takes up too much time and money already.

"second mortgage on the wife."

That's the way I feel sometimes with my MNH collection.

Used...no contest.

I don't really like mint stamps - they are hot-house flowers, and I'm a crappy farmer.

I try to collect unused unless the issue is out of my price range__then I'll try to obtain a lightly cancelled one.

For some reason I just can't resist a freshness of MNH stamps. However, if I can fetch for the stamp same good money, like $20 bucks :) , I'll better sell it and by some more stamps :) I need a lot of stamps to finish my world wide collection up to 2006 :)

I would have to say I am 90 % used and 10 % mint. The used have a character of there own that draws me, also the price.

I only collect MNH for the USA. My worldwide collection, however, is mostly used. If I come upon a mint stamp, I will keep it. I am always on the lookout for good cancellations.

Being a "new" collector considering time I have to go with what I can get at the moment. Or maybe I'm a young collector? I've seen here where we all wish younger people would get involved in collecting and I've attempted to get my son going but he will go a week really interested then go months without even thinking of them. I have threatened to take some of his stamps for my collection. By the way what is considered young in our world of stamps?

I now prefer the used ones and love covers, so we will see where I go from here. By the way everyone here is a great help to everyone else. A great stamping family.

I collect mainly GB mint and FDC... or I used to until GB FDC became a rubbish product so have moved to being choosey regarding mint and genuine used collecting.

For me used, preferably with a nice CDS, is the way to go. The stamp has served its purpose and if anything bad happens to it, a nice bath of warm water (sometimes with some chemical help) will solve the problem.

Mint stamps, especially new issues are expansive, vulnerable and don't look as nice (to me that is).

I started with MNH, then swapped to used and posal history. Most countries I collect (UK, Scandinavia) are used, other FDC and I also collect my hometown (Barcelona) Postal History. Lately I'm very interested on Cinderellas.

Don't you feel, an old used stamp with an attractive cancellation looks like a heroic warrior decorated for winning over all the worldly hardships.