Very Strange Interpretation Of "Mint"

There are mid-century German stamps that have sulfuric acid containing gum. Michel advises removing the gum.

To wkusau, Thank you, I was unaware of the NGAI. I was aware that in some places the glue pot was on the counter so you could glue your stamps to the envelope. Maybe not now anymore but I did get stamps from the post office without glue and there was none on the front under the print. I know because I licked the front to make sure. How could anyone prove that the modern glueless stamps never had glue.
Maybe these could be called "no glue as issued"
To Rogdcam No licking those German stamps for me. How could you describe those? "No glue for your protection"

'As issued' is an interesting phrase. If the mint definition includes this phrase, then what does 'as issued' mean? Booklet stamps are not issued as single stamps and only issued as booklets. Is only a full booklet consider 'mint, as issued'?
Don

I never expected so many replies for this topic but it reveals there's no agreement on what "mint" means.
Some of the replies are not really what was questioned in the first place and that was " how can a stamp that was issued with gum and then the gum removed be considered mint.
After reading all the replies personally I will continue to use the definition supplied from this forums glossary, it makes the most sense.

MINT
" A stamp in the same state as issued by a post office: unused, undamaged and with full original gum (if issued with gum). Over time, handling, light and atmospheric conditions may affect the mint state of stamps".

With the meaning above accepted by me it means that if the stamp has been altered in any way from the way it was issued it can no longer be considered mint.
So for me there is no such thing as mint no gum or mint hinged etc. these terms are oxymorons.
At this point in my collecting I have only MNH stamps with original gum in my collection.
I have only a half dozen stamps to acquire to complete a set from Scott #100-#750.
It was only when I got into the admiral stamps that I started having problems with some of the terminology.
I do realize because of the cost that for the first 100 Canadian stamps at some point I'll have to start accepting stamps that are not mint.
Appreciate and respect all opinions and give thanks to all.

Cheers, Bill

I simply think that "u" for unused doesn't work as conveniently as "m" for mint, requiring longer and ambiguous abbreviations in descriptions - thus mnh instead of unh or unnh. I don't think "mnh", "mh" or "mng" are ambiguous or lacking clarity for most.

"Mint" by itself when describing a no gum or hinged stamp is an inaccurate description.

However "As Issued" is seen with NGAI (No Gum As Issued), for example for the Farley Special Issues.

I would use unused NGAI for those.

However, since they are issued with no gum, is Mint ok for those if still pristine unhinged?

Agree that NGAI still qualifies for "mint" :-)

I agree if issued with no gum they are still as issued by the post office so to they would be mint.
Perhaps the NGAI should be MNGAI or MNH-NGAI would be even better.

Cheers, Bill

Personally, I find good, quality, honest colectors, selling on ebay
are immediately recognised.

"Small rust spot top left corner" "tiny crease across right quadrant"
etc, I have instant confidence of whom I am dealing with.

The rest are taken with a pinch of salt.
Most queries can be solved by contact with the vendor.

Recently daily auto search for "Hungary"
a listing showed "assorted Hungary stamps" which were all
Egyptian.

Regarding yesterday's comment "What I find interesting are descriptions for complete booklets as mint never hinged. Does anyone hinge booklets?", unfortunately the answer is yes. I have bought numerous booklets over the years at auction only to receive them with hinge marks or hinge remnants on the back cover or even both front and back covers if the pane had been displayed. I guess it was during the same time period when people wrote the catalogue number on the front cover in ink on booklets and postal stationery.