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 Replies: 12 / Views: 1,682 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4637 Posts |
I used to collect coins, and on occasion, I still do. With that being said, I would like to talk about a discussion I got into with a member at a different currency forum, and proper paper money terminology. Many coin collecting terms translate over fine to paper money collecting. Take terms like Fine, Very Fine,and About Uncirculated. These translate well. Where I had a problem was the use of the word MINT to describe paper money. In my early paper money collecting days I was told/taught not to use the word MINT to describe an uncirculated, CH-CU example, because paper money does not come from a MINT and is not minted.....it's printed. My friend commented back saying he got it from his baseball card collecting days, and cards were graded mint, and are printed, so what's the problem. With many new collectors trolling and visiting and joining the many paper money forums, I thought it was a good idea to teach them the correct/preferred paper money term for CH-CU, GEM , uncirculated notes. Maybe it's because I'm old school, but I cringe when I see a note described as mint. I respect every opinion....but please don't try to change mine.
Rant over.
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Rest in Peace
United States
2668 Posts |
You call that a rant? Tomorrow, if you want, I can skip my meds and come back here to rant about something.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1326 Posts |
I see the word "mint" used to describe all kinds of items (i.e. cars). It seems ingrained. I think people use the word with currency because they feel more comfortable using vaguer terminology. A bit like describing a coin as "XF+++++"
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Moderator
 United States
56855 Posts |
Coins are Mint Currency is Crisp,IMHO John1  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2023 Posts |
Edited by Alpha2814
07/16/2016 3:01 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1812 Posts |
Sound like your friend knows little when it comes to Currency grading in Uncirculated Condition, as there is no mint State Note.. Being from the babyboomer generation, I was taught that **The "C" in "CU" Currency is Crisp Uncirculated** You can educate your friend with the correct nomenclature on MINT STATE currency.. Crisp Uncirculated - 60 to 62 Choice Crisp Uncirculated - 63 Very Choice Crisp Uncirculated - 64 Gem Crisp Uncirculated - 65 & 66 Superb Crisp Uncirculated - 67 & above I believe the above grading scale predates 3rd Party Certification and won't get into EPQ designated grades.. |
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Bedrock of the Community
 United States
12812 Posts |
It's something like the cent vs. penny debate. While "cent" is definitely the correct term, "penny" is used so frequently that everyone knows what you're talking about. Also merriam-webster.com says this about the term "mint condition": Quote:
perfect condition : a state of being like new <He kept the car in mint condition.> But personally, I'm with you, Steve. I feel people should use the correct terms. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
I also must agree with otto - the word "mint" is just synonymous with "top level new" in most all collecting fields. Clearly the term originated in the coin collecting hobby. I wouldn't use it personally, but it doesn't bother me.
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Pillar of the Community
Norway
1358 Posts |
let's use the scientific method and see what professional definition makers have to say about the word 'mint! I'll save you the nouns, verbs and babbling about candies and plants. First off, Google: Quote:
adjective: mint
1.
(of an object) in pristine condition; as new.
Second, Merriam-Webster: Quote:mint adjective Definition of mint : unmarred as if fresh from a mint <in mint condition> Examples of mint in a sentence <a mint baseball card that should be worth a lot to a collector> Related to mint Synonyms brand-new, fresh, pristine, span-new, virgin, virginal First Known Use of mint 1902 And third, Cambridge Quote:
mintadjective [ before noun ] uk /m#618;nt/ us /m#618;nt/
Mint stamps and coins, etc. have not been used:
A collector would pay $500 for a mint copy.
in mint condition
perfect, as if new:
I bought a two-year-old car, in mint condition, with less than 20,000 miles.
What I would conclude here is that numismatics has had an impact on the English language. The first usage is from the early 20th century, the expression is definitely derived from the minting of coins and as we can see, it actually is widely applicable to describe the state of any other object. 'Mint condition' for bank notes would thus be perfectly good use of the English language. Anyway, in case you don't want to use 'mint' to describe the condition of your bank notes, then I suggest to use the synonym 'virgin', as your notes haven't gotten dirty yet.  |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
Surely not "dirty'. How about "not fondled"?  |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
4637 Posts |
Thanks for the input everybody. Believe me, I get it, and I understand the use of the word MINT to describe anything/everything that is new or pristine. I'm all for it.....but from my original statement. Quote:
Where I had a problem was the use of the word MINT to describe paper money I have not yet seen any major auction catalogs , or descriptions on TPG holders use the word MINT as an adjective to describe paper money. So, comic books, baseball cards, vintage automobiles, etc is OK with me........paper money, use CH-CU or GEM. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
742 Posts |
It is bad enough that the coin people forced there absurd 70 point grading scale on the paper money field.
There are a couple other terms that make me cringe when used for paper money:
Obverse
Reverse
I work in a profession where words have meaning and terms of art have significant meaning. IMO those who don't spend the time to learn and use the appropriate terminology in any field show a lack of regard for the practitioners.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12812 Posts |
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Replies: 12 / Views: 1,682 |
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Posted 07/16/2016 11:40 am
with otto. Even in the realm of comic books, the highest basic (reasonably achievable) grade is "NM", or "near mint".
