Postfris?
Stamps are mint if they are in the same condition as at the moment they were sold by the postal service. Even if the gum layer shows a thumbprint from the clerk who tore the stamp from the sheet after just having a butter cookie with his coffee? Probably, because the term 'mint condition' has never really caught on!
An alternative to the term 'mint condition' is therefore necessary. What do you think of 'print condition'? But printers, too, occasionally crave a snack or have hands that are just slightly less clean for other reasons. Moreover, the designation 'mint condition' is fully established; we are probably better off leaving it as is. In days gone by, the terminology was more extensive. There was talk of 'mint condition without an adhesive' and 'mint condition with an adhesive'. That was truly illogical, because 'mint condition' is by definition without an adhesive, and a stamp *with* an adhesive can never be mint condition. To avoid any misunderstanding, a Hague dealer always spoke of 'pofrizopla', which was a clever invention in itself. For several decades now, 'mint condition' has simply been 'mint condition', and that only benefits clarity. But we are not there yet! Even more minor issues arise when describing the status of stamps. The expression 'unused without gum' is not unambiguous in a literal sense either. The term suggests, after all, that the stamp in question has never been used for postal services. Nevertheless, stamps that the postal service forgot to cancel are given the designation 'unused without gum' after being soaked, while in fact they are 'uncancelled used'. And then there are issues that were sold gumless, such as a number of classics from our former colonies. These stamps are indeed mint condition!
One more then! Just as one stamp may have been used but not cancelled, another may have been cancelled but not used, for example on blank first-day covers and with request and sheet cancellations. For the sake of convenience, we will leave cancelled sheets and sheet sections, which were indeed intended to settle postage costs, out of consideration. The phrase 'mint cancelled', which you hear regularly, creates confusion and is therefore undesirable; 'cancelled with gum' is perfectly acceptable. Fortunately, in daily philatelic practice, we generally know exactly what we are talking about, as long as we don't philosophize about it. 
And what about modern gumless issues?
Thus, to this day, Cuban issues without gum are sold to foreign traders and collectors, whereas in Cuba itself they are sold with gum at post offices.
I think the gummed stamps do have added value. Of course, they are also much harder to come by.
But as you said, let's not philosophize about it for too long!
Everything revolves around the definition of these terms within philately. There must be no room whatsoever for interpretation.
Mint condition: stamps as they are and were sold at the counter, with the note for the classic stamps that there must be no imperfections in or on the gum such as: rust, pencil marks, fingerprints, and absolutely no adhesive. After all, there is no such thing as being a little pregnant!
Unused without gum: this fully covers the situation regarding loose stamps. The discussion of “unused without gum” versus “uncancelled used” falls into the category of the glass being half full or half empty. The fact that a loose stamp has no cancellation on the front does not necessarily mean that it has been used; after all, with a loose stamp, this can no longer be verified. This is, however, the case with a postal item where stamps have not been cancelled. The back of the stamp is always gumless.
Mark,
This is indeed the case for a postal item where stamps have not been cancelled. The back of the stamp is gumless at all times.
Why??? Do you see that??? The eraser is still there, isn't it….
Mark,
Mint: stamps as they are and were sold at the counter, with the note for the classic stamps that there are no irregularities in or on the gum…
"
Why exceptions for classical???
And 'as these are sold at the counter...” also implies that stamps sold in blocks or booklets can no longer be mint once torn apart… After all, they were never sold in loose condition…
That also immediately renders the discussion about the countless combinations – e.g. with the City of the Netherlands – superfluous…
In short, in philately you have flexible definitions and orthodox…
You have kosher, halal, and halal-2 seals, and you'll get the anesthetic later when you realize that none of this makes a damn bit of difference when selling your material from after 1945. 🙂
'@reintjedevos
“Marc,
This is indeed the case for a postal item where stamps have not been cancelled. The back of the stamp is gumless at all times.
"Why??? Do you see that??? The eraser is still there, isn't it…."
Indeed, an ill-considered statement on my part!
'@reintjedevos
Why an exception for classics? Because with these stamps, units, sheets, booklets, and everything else I’ve forgotten, there is a large price difference between mint and unused with gum and postage, unused without gum and postage, uncancelled with gummed traces used, uncancelled without gummed used, etc., etc…
Now that we are taking a critical look at the comments anyway:
City of the Netherlands
“flexible definitions” ??? definitions
"hive" hive
Operating a keyboard correctly turns out to be more difficult than expected, doesn't it?
Well, mint, unused with a neat postmark, and used—I understand all that. But sometimes the insane price difference between that neat stamp with a postmark and a used one, especially in Germany to the disadvantage of the neat postmark, is beyond me.
The difference between mint and that neat sticker really goes too far; a price difference is okay, but to let it drop by 75% sometimes is going too far for me.
Mark,
My question remains: why only for classic??? The price difference could apply to any stamp!
What does my keyboard have to do with my comments???
The Netherlands really wants to get rid of kosher 🙂
What do you mean mint condition? The stamps surely don't come from the post office anymore, from Bruna or something like that.
So Brunafris. :-))!!!
Only a portion of the stamps are sold at Bruna.
Drukfris is not a bad alternative in itself, but how do you get everyone on the same page regarding philatelic views?
Mint fresh is used by everyone and actually stands for: in perfect original condition.