Abbreviations, Notations, and Standards Used in Our Listing

Format

To make it easy to search for items in our store, we have adopted a listing format that follows the pattern of <Country> <Catalog Number> <Condition> <Grade (Optional)> <Description> <SKU>. For example, a standard stamp listing will usually look like this:

China 599-602 MNH VF President Lin Shen Historical Figure 1945 ZAYIX 072722SM01M

There are variations in this pattern, but in general we list this way.

Catalog Numbers

Catalog numbers are by default Scott catalog numbers. Most of our listings also include a detail field (Catalog Used) that specifies the catalog publisher (Scott, Michel, Stanley Gibbons, Etc.).

Catalog numbers separated by a hyphen (-) indicates a continuous range of numbers. For example, China 599-602 includes catalog numbers 599, 600, 601, and 602.

Catalog numbers separated by a comma indicates individual stamps. For example, Chine 599, 602 includes two stamps #599 and #602.

Catalog numbers separated by a slash (/) or double slash (//) means numbers are missing between the first and last number listed. This is most frequently used when we sell an incomplete set. For example, China 599//602 means there is more than one stamp (but not all) in the range of catalog numbers 599-602. For example, this set might include numbers 599, 600 and 602.

Condition

We use the following notations to describe condition:

MNH	Mint Never Hinged	Used	Used (CTO or Postal Use, unspecified)
VLH	Mint Very Lightly Hinged	CTO	Used, Cancel to Order
MLH	Mint Lightly Hinged	PU	Postally Used
MH	Mint Hinged	First Day Covers
Mint	Mint Hinged	A	Addressed
MOG	Mint Hinged with at least partial original gum	UA	Unaddressed
MNGAI	Mint Not Gum as Issued
MNG	Mint, no gum

 

Grade

Grade describes the centering and overall appearance of the stamp. In most cases, the Scott catalog value is for a Very Fine (VF) stamp. Very Fine stamps are typically well-centered (but not perfectly) and in post office fresh condition. Stamps above the grade of very fine (XF and better) demand a premium price. Stamps below the grade of VF typically (with notable exceptions) sell at a discounted price. For many stamps we simply use the notation “see photo(s)” in this case, the stamp is ungraded and what you see in the photo is what you will receive if we only have a single copy of the item for sale. If we have more than one item for sale in the listing, the photo is a close representation of the item you will receive.

Grades from Best to Worst
Gem	Perfectly balanced margins, wide margins, and post office fresh (POF)
Superb	Perfectly-balanced, normal-size margins, POF
XF/S	Extremely Fine to Superb - Almost perfect centering, POF
XF	Extremely Fine, extremely well centered, POF
VF/XF	Very Fine to Extremely Fine, a step above well-centered, POF
VF	Very Fine, standard, well-centered stamps, POF
F/VF	Fine to Very Fine, centering may be off on one side or slightly off on 2 sides
F	Fine, margins are clear of the perforations on all sides, but centering is not good
VG/F	Very Good to Fine, perforations touch or cut into the stamp design slightly
VF	Very Good, perforations cut into the stamp design
P	Poor, a “space filler” or damaged stamp

 

Faults and Damage

If we have noted faults or damage in the stamp or cover we will not them in the “Condition Description” section of the listing that is found just below or asking price.

Other Abbreviations

Other abbreviations we use include but are not limited to the following:

Abbv	Definition	Abbv	Definition
BLK	Block	P#	Plate Number
Bklt	Booklet	PB	Plate Block
Fa	FACIT catalog number (Scandanavia)	PNC	Plate Number Coil
FDC	First Day Cover
Fi	Fisher Catalog Number (Poland)	Sc	Scott Catalog Number
LP	Line Pair	SG	Stanley Gibbons Catalog Number
Mi	Michel Catalog Number	SS	Souvenir Sheet
Mk	Minkus Catalog Number	Y	Yang Catalog Number (Hong Kong)
MP	Mellone-Planty Catalog Number (for FDCs)	YT	Yvert-Tellier Catalog Number
OP	On Piece / On Paper

 Questions

We attempt to answer questions within 24 hours. We encourage you to ask any questions you have before making a purchase.

Listing Errors

In the rare instance that we have incorrectly identified or described an item please contact us directly with the issue. Please do not open a case with or give us negative feedback. We will resolve your issue if one occurs. Also, we offer a 100% moneyback guarantee on any product not sold “AS IS” or listed as “NO RETURNS ACCEPTED”. If you wish to return a product because it was damaged or described inaccurately, we will pay the shipping and either replace or refund your item. If you return a product for any other reason, you are required to pay the return shipping and at our discretion, we may charge a restocking fee of up to 20% of the price of the item.