Term Explanation

ok here are some stamp terms I dont know what they mean can someone please tell this newbie what they mean? definitives and MNH, THANKS

MNH is an acronym for Mint Never Hinged.

The Scott catalog pricing policy for MNH stamps takes more than hinging into account. Scott considers a MNH stamp to be a mint stamp with FULL original gum and NO gum disturbances. The only exception to the "no gum disturbances" rules is an expertizer mark on the back of the gum.

For regular postage stamps, definitives and commemoratives complement each other. It used to be easy to say that commemoratives were larger stamps that commemorated a person/place/thing/event and had a limited print run, while definitives were the small stamps that might depicted the same things, but not necessarily for the purpose of commemorating and often issued with a long print run as a series of stamps over a period of many years.

Now, there is often a pretty blurry line between definitives and commemoratives when you consider what they depict and that there might be a very long series of stamps (consider the UN flag stamps).

I guess the only remaining unique thing left about definitives is that they are usually available at the post office for a much longer period of time (several years) and printed in significantly larger quantities. Everything else that I used to say about definitives now happens pretty regularly with commemoratives as well.

The catalogs tend to be helpful, as they will usually group definitive series together (or in bunches) in the listings.

Sometimes the issuing country defines whether a stamp is a commemorative/definitive in their press release or even as a set ID on the stamp itself. Sometimes, the catalog editors help us define by the way they list.

I know some collectors who don't care what a government or catalog says. They group the stamps the way they like it! I admit, I'm addicted to catalog groupings, but I admire and applaud the independent-minded collectors!

Definitives is Regular Stamp,different from special stamp or commemorative stamps,
MNH is mint never hinged.

Thanks khj,your detailed description is also great help to me.

In the American tradition of 'definitives' the are smaller stamps of widely varied values, generally used presidential and Americana themes. Also, seasonal stamps are 'definitives' such as Christmas and the 'Love' stamps which can come in a variety of sizes.
As opposed to 'commemoratives' which are issued to honor people, places & the past. These stamps most often issued at the current rate of postage.

can you show me an example?

The US Presidential regular issue (i.e., Prexies) are an example of definitives. You previously posted in that thread, so I won't upload a scan.

A lot of collectors, catalog editors, and the USPS consider these to be commemoratives. But then again, who's to say? It's still a pretty blurry line.

Collect what you want the way you want; that's the best way to enjoy stamp collecting!

k

KP Minkus puts those seasonals with definitives, but if I had it my way any stamp, definitive, commeratives, air mail, express, priority, parcel, certified, even occupation stamps all cover prepaid services. Postage due stays separate because they cover post paid services, newspaper stamps were not available to the general public and officials only available to government
personal only.