What does "mint" actually mean?

[Jack Flash]

The people who say "It means this to me" are falling into a trap set by the seller, who will always say after the sale "Oh no, that's not what it means to me!" That's why they will not use the NRA grading terms, because those are defined.

 

[Andyd]

Mint means like new, not new or unfired. All single-word descriptions are wide open to interpretation. Seller and buyer opinions also vary widely.

Mint condition Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster.

 

[Andyd]

The people who say "It means this to me" are falling into a trap set by the seller, who will always say after the sale "Oh no, that's not what it means to me!" That's why they will not use the NRA grading terms, because those are defined.

And the question is really it they are defined by an enthusiastic seller or by the extremely critical buyer?

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

Spanking brand new, mark free and CLEAN.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

I'm holding a 2022 Canadian Maple Leaf.
Using my recently cataract corrected eyes with no additional magnification,
I'm not seeing any marks or dings.
It could be 'Mint'.
But it's not a Proof coin.
A magnified inspection by a coin expert would probably disclose flaws.
So I'll back off to - its Uncirculated!

 

[DWalt]

Uncirculated generally means that it is a coin that was shipped from the mint but was never placed into circulation for some reason after it reached its destination. However, if it was placed in to circulation, say from a bank (assuming you know that), technically it cannot be called uncirculated. At one time, and maybe still, the U. S. Mints shipped out bags of loose coins. During shipment coins often got what are called bag marks (small surface scratches and dents) due to rough handling causing the coins to be jostled around. At one time, and maybe still, the U. S. Mint would sell sets of uncirculated coins in cellophane packaging to collectors. Those are actually different from proof sets, as no special care was taken during their manufacture to produce a flawless surface.

 

[Imissedagain]

Mint or Minty, as in unfired and perfect in every way or possibly a lightly used gem, was 180 degrees opposite of what I received not long ago.
Maybe that worn out Pony, after eating a freight car load of ammo and oats, had an after dinner mint prior to trotting over to the post office, and that was why it was advertised as Minty?.

 

[pantannojack]

I thought Certs was a candy mint. My wife says Certs is a breath mint. She still does not know I break wind sometimes.

 

[YeshuaIsa53]

I might add, if there were only three, or every other cylinder, slight burn rings
it could be a gem.

 

[Chukar60]

If it was on GB this would not surprise me. GB is the home to the world's most generous thesaurus.
How many times have we all seen a relatively high demand Smith (19, 27, 28…..) listed as rare despite the fact there are 10-40 just like it listed at the same time. Mint condition could describe factory original, never been cycled with zero detractions in the finish, OR, it could mean the condition of mint in a field or recently harvested mint or they were chewing mint gun when they rated the condition and all are applicable because nobody will enforce honesty in the descriptions.
We allow politicians of every stripe and side of the aisle to lie and just accept it is normal behavior from that segment of society. Apparently the on line sellers have been paying attention.

 

[G-Mac]

I bought a set of J frame Combat grips in the Classifieds here. The seller advertised them as being in "stellar" condition. One grip had a crack in it. I shipped them back and never got a refund. $220.00 lesson.

 

[.357magger]

Caveat Emptor is the word for internet sales and auctions. The seller wants to sell it. It's up to the buyer to qualify if what is being sold is to the standard desired. There should be LOTS of pics, different angles and aspects, and the seller shouldn't mind answering reasonable questions. A return policy, agreed by both in writing, is required before I buy.

Just my $.02.

Don't even get me started on the term "RARE"...

 

[pantannojack]

I recall when Colt 1911's sold for 700$ new, MINT, but still required 700$ tune up.

 

[Greyman50]

IMHO, All examples posted regarding online sales is Perfect reason to go to Local( few hours drive) shows. By chance I'm selling anything collectable and some cheap skate starts whining about my price I Always say, Well you can hold this in your hands and inspect it, cant do that with online items. They always shut up.

 

[glenwolde]

There's actually a definition:

adjective: mint
(of an object) in pristine condition; as new.

It doesn't matter what they meant, they listed it as "unfired". I guess you could send them half the money and just say "Gee, I meant to send it all...oh well".

 

[gwpercle]

According to the NRA "Mint" is not a firearms grading term.

NRA Conditions Grading Standards | armsbid.com

NRA Modern Gun Condition Standards

NEW: Not previously sold at retail, in same condition as current factory production.

PERFECT: In New condition in every respect. (Many collectors & dealers use "As New" to describe this condition).

EXCELLENT: New condition, used but little, no noticeable marring of wood or metal, bluing perfect, (except at muzzle or sharp edges).

VERY GOOD: In perfect working condition, no appreciable wear on working surfaces, no corrosion or pitting, only minor surface dents or scratches.

GOOD: In safe working condition, minor wear on working surfaces, no broken parts, no corrosion or pitting that will interfere with proper functioning.

FAIR: In safe working condition but well worn, perhaps requiring replacement of minor parts or adjustments which should be indicated in advertisement, no rust, but may have corrosion pits which do not render article unsafe or inoperable.

Only the above descriptions should count as proper descriptions of condition for firearms .
All those other terms ...Pristine , mint , minty , unfired , unused etc , ...
are just advertising hype trying to justify the price with B. S. and confusion ... aka smoke and mirrors ...
Don't Fall For It !

Mint is a Coin Collectors terminology but there are varying degrees of Mint on the Sheldon Grading Scale ( between 60 and 70 ) in that area also ...
so again Mint means nothing ...

After dinner you sometimes have a small candy ...
...That's a Mint !

Great Post Arisin Wind !
Gary

 

[diyj98]

I would think of "mint" as in perfect condition, but could have been fired, versus "unfired". Then we have the internet classic "doesn't appear to have been fired but maybe a couple times".

I don't think I've ever sold a gun with the word "mint". I've sold "new in box" and "excellent condition", but never "mint".

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Whatever the owner of said object decides it means.

 

[JohnRippert]

To me, mint is a piece of candy.

 

[RWPBR]

Mint to me means unfired, pristine, unsullied.

 

[Laketime]

Mint also used to describe pristine condition on Guitars, Watches ,Baseball cards, stamps and automobiles. None of which could be mistaken for un opened items.

 

[stanmerrell]

My son works construction and when a job is done they all say it's "F in mint bud". But really mint is not a technical term used in firearm grading...anyone using it should be a suspected liar.

 

[lkabug]

And all this time I thought "mint" was a Girl Scout cookie.
I learn something here every visit.

 

[Echo40]

It means that it has been cleaned/lubricated with Frog Lube.

But seriously, the term is used so arbitrarily that it might as well mean whatever the seller thinks it means, or at least such has been my experience with folks selling firearms over the internet.

 

[Buford57]

Gun Auction sites should be limited to rating a firearm for sale to a 'Drop Down' list of categories, with the top condition being 'New In Box' (NIB) (Fresh from the factory/unsold/unhandled, with only factory test fire rounds through it).

Anything other than that, like 'Like New In Box' (LNIB) or other categories should require more in depth description of HOW they feel it's 'Like New'.

I'd second that, with NIB being limited to the original retailer. Anything previously owned by a customer would qualify for LNIB at most and then only if it has not been cocked, dry-fired or holstered and has no visible evidence of such.

And I prefer guns with "character" as long as it is good character. A turn ring, blue wear at the muzzle, normal use wear consistent with age bother me not a bit - but I pay accordingly.

 

[TIMETRIPPER]

Minty is even worse

Especially if it is those gawd awful green shakes that Micky D sells this time of the year!

John

 

[44magget]

Hello all, I am the one who bought the gun in question, I am not unhappy with the gun I just don't like being lied to and I could have returned it after paying shipping both ways and a 15% restocking fee, about $250. I chose not to.
We are not talking about factory firing here. Does unfired condition mean unfired? I guess I don't really know, but I do know what it implies. Here is a portion of an emal that they sent me responding to my email expressing my issue.
Admittedly in an email to you we said that it was in "unfired condition" in trying to state how "mint" it was!! But that does not mean "UNFIRED" any more than "LIKE NEW CONDITION" would mean that the gun is brand new! And based on that you are unjustly accusing us by saying in your recent note, "it is by no means unfired like you claimed." WE MADE NO SUCH "CLAIM!"
Here is there user name IDRACCA it was on gun broker.

 

[Laketime]

A girl can be ( hot=mint ) but not all virgins are attractive.

 

[TIMETRIPPER]

This thread reminds me of the quartermasters report for the Army of the Potomac, made after the battle of Gettysburg. It stated that hundreds, if not thousands, of rifles were retrieved from the field after the battle that were loaded with multiple charges. They were never discharged. Now those certainly were unfired, but they weren't mint!

John

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Years back now a Buddy and I bought guns from a PA Police Dealer.
He had over runs, trade ins, etc.
Some of the contract over runs appeared to be just as new as guns we got from a Regular Dealer.
Specially 459s made for Embassy security, 659 Low Serial No and CS-1 686s.
As I have posted, the only time I talked to Roy Jinks was concerning the 459s.
We also bought LE trade ins from them that most certainly looked like trade ins!