What do you prefer to look at Mint or Used?

Me, I am used stamp over the mint variety 9 times out of 10. I like to see them having done the duty they were intended. But that is just me.

Alyn

I prefer mint so that I can see the stamp clearly without the cancel being in the way. I collect both tho, because I'll keep a really cool looking used stamp in my collection forever!!

I can not vote so I will state my vote.

Option 3, which of course is not there, I collect both mint and used.

So I prefer to look at both mint and used stamps.

I know I am a pain.

I collect both mint and used.

Generally, I prefer used, and that is how I voted. The postmark adds to the story the stamp has to tell. I especially like postmarks from the old empires that remind us of their history and how much geography has changed. Think of a Hapsburg-era Austrian stamp postmarked Prag or Trieste, or a German stamp postmarked Breslau.

European semi-postals are a major exception, though. Their designs are often memorable and may be marred by a postmark. Besides, mint semipostals are often cheaper than used.

There wasn't a third option for a reason to be disclosed after the polls close.

It depends. Normally, I want to see the design; for that, I prefer mint. Postally speaking, I want to see usage; for that, I prefer used, but would prefer a small cancellation touch on the corner. Unless I'm wanting usage in a particular area or era and the cancellation is important, then I prefer nice bulls-eye cancels (or legible town or slogan indications).

But most of the time, I want to see the design. So I voted "mint."

I voted used, but like many others have stated, I like both and often keep both if I have the choice. When searching I look for a used copy first.

I used to be just the opposite though, so who knows if I'll keep my preference with used! he he.

Shall we check it out?

Here's a couple of Montenegrin stamps from my collection.

Which do you like? The beautiful crisp detail and image of the Mint, or the tatty Used, socked on the nose in late April 1913 with a cancel that entirely obscures the loveliness of King Nickolas?




Ah, you're still here. Then let me tell you a story. On April 21st 1913, during the Second Balkan War, the Turkish garrison in the Albanian town of Scutari surrendered to the nearby kingdom of Montenegro which had been attacking it for 6 months. On the 14th May Montenegro was forced, after threats from Austria, Germany, Britain and France, to remove its troops. A few Montenegran stamps continued to be used in the town until the end of the first week of June. But still less than eight weeks of cancelling Montenegrin stamps with a Scutari/Skadar handstamp.

Want to go up to the top and vote now?