Used Vs Mint

Another topic got me to thinking again. Uses or Mint?

I collect only postally used stamps in my German / Berlin collection because I consider them to be more valid. I collect mint for my topicals (triangles and beetles) because I take those collections less seriously.

How about you guys and gals? What do you think?

Given a choice, I'll go with a mint copy, though philosophically, collecting used stamps makes a lot of sense (a REAL stamp is a stamp that's done its job!) especially when so much was/is going out cancelled to order (CTO).

Right now, I like nice. Neatness counts for me and I don't take space fillers. It's so much easier to find flawless copies that are mint. And they look better too. Wasn't always this way and did at one time prefer postally used stamps. Maybe it's an age thing.

Hello....

I can see reasons to collect all options....mint, used, cut squares and covers. Mint stamps are the prettiest, but stamps were created for a reason, a mint stamp is still waiting to complete it's mission. Used stamps are more affordable in most cases. Cut squares require less room than covers but, covers provide the most detail for postal history. What you choose to collect is entirely up to you, there is no wrong way. Try to remember though, nothing can hold it's value if it's not protected.

That's all true, Tom, but with so many more stamps being produced than needed for the mail, and more importantly, being produced with collectors in mind (whether or not generating revenue is the ulterior motive behind their production), you could say that even a mint stamp has completed its mission when someone mounts it in their album.

Think of albums as shelters for unneeded stamps!

Hi guys

I see value in both sides of this argument.

I collect whatever I can get at a decent price and have both mint and used. Most of my mints are Canadian cause they're easier for me to obtain.

Most of the used I have are in good shape and unless they have nice cancellations my motto is "less is better" so you can see the stamp itself.

Dianne

What about CTO's? The are neither mint nor used. They are fake used!