A Real Oops Moment Here

I've been cataloging the stamps that I have and recording them, but I think before I go any further and continue with the mistake I think I've been making, I thought I would throw this out here and then cringe.

I know how to read a Scott catalog's columns for the values of stamps. The left column being for unused and the right being for used or canceled. Now here's where I think I've been messing up. Most of the stamps that I have been working on are my MH stamps, but (now here's where I'll cringe) I've been listing them as canceled because they are or have been hinged. Shouldn't I be recording them as mint even though they are MH?

This borders on the can of worms subject I know, but how should I be recording them?

Donna

This could easily erupt into another war.

There tend to be some pretty strong opinions on whether there is such a thing as a Mint Hinged stamp. But in general, the terminology used by most sellers (including the major dealers) in the US will either be Mint Hinged or Unused Hinged. Regardless of where you stand on this, everybody will understand what you mean (even if they don't agree on the terminology) if you use one of those 2 terms, because the word "hinged" is there.

Excuse me while I head back into the foxhole...

I use mint hinged by way of habit.
Explains the status fine for me.
Common in Aust for a MUH code, mint unhinged.

For me Donna I grade in 4 types.

Mint with no gum disturbances.
Mint with gum disturbance.
Mint no gum.
Used.

These are the descriptions I like to see in the stamp buying process for me!

Good to hear that it means something to you. It is nice to get it right.

For value purposes there are other factors to consider. Scotts lists some older items as not existing in MNH for cataloging purposes but you will often be closer to actual market value by using the used value anyway.
Please take note of any items though where used are valued higher than mint and used in this instance is postally used.

In the inventory spreadsheets I have built for my various collections, I include columns for the following:

Year of Issue
Scott Catalog Number
In Album - MNH (1 or 0) In this case assuming I will only put MNH issues in the album
In Stock - MNH (0 or number of duplicates)
In Stock - MH (0 or number of duplicates)
In Stock - Used (0 or number of duplicates)
Catalog Value - MNH
Catalog Value - MH
Catalog Value - U
Total Value For Issue (Excel formula that accounts for quantity and condition)

Of course I have to make concessions for certain variables - like tabbed stamps vs non-tabbed in my Israel collection.

One of the reasons I go to so much effort to keep such a detailed accounting is that it gives my wife something to go by if I kick the bucket suddenly and she needs a guide to help sell my material.

She will need the cash to pay the new pool boy to take care of the new pool.

All of you have made valid points and I have taken it all into consideration. All of it made sense and by going back over what the Scott cat. had to say on the matter, I think that really all I have to do is make a notation on the cards as it being MH. I do like how KGV has done it. I'm not listing canceled stamps as I wanted to just do a collection of mint and MH stamps.

khj, I don't think that you will have to stay too long in the foxhole. I can stop cringing...I was getting cramps in my neck anyhow.

Donna

"Used" in my understanding means "postally used."

I'm more curious about why you would be noting the value of your stamps. What is your reason for that?

Donna,
I use the the mint column for pricing. For most of the classic stamps there is a price for MNH and Mint. When scott gives the main price, unless they specify, "stamp prices from this point on are for mint never hinged copies", the price they give is for a mint hinged stamp. they do not grade in the catalog. looking up a stamp you will see the mint price, then a mint never hinged price which is higher. SO the SCV is a reference. Now, if you would like to sell all your mint stamps to me at the used price, I will buy them.

My take on this is that a mint stamp is one without any trace of hinge marks or gum disturbance, basically the condition it was in after it was printed & bought at the post office.
Michel catalogue describes it as postfrisch meaning fresh from the post office or you could say brand new.
Anything else without a postmark is just unused whether it's original gum hinged or part original gum or no gum.

I try to keep it simple, I agree with Moonbird here I see something as used, "postally used" other wise I mark it as mint and worry about the finite details later, since 99.9% of the time I don't plan on selling it anyway.

as per Moonbirds question why note the value? I do it with tiny mark below my stamp (I note the stamp scott #, then the current value) as I'm a new collector I'm still learning what has value and what does not so if I bump into duplicates I'll know if they are worth taking a second look or selling, or just throwing in a large duplicate box.

Moonbird, I'm recording the value for prosperity or to make it easier for my family to have a general idea of the collection should they decide to sell it.

stampvirgin, I think you should use khj's foxhole because I'm about to lob my catalog at you.

Donna