Unused

An unused stamp is one that has not been cancelled or otherwise used for postage. The term is broader than mint: every mint stamp is unused, but not every unused stamp is mint.

Unused Versus Mint

• Mint generally means unused with full original gum, in the condition in which it was issued.
• Unused covers any stamp without a cancellation, whatever its gum condition — including stamps with no gum, part gum or regummed gum.

Usage varies between countries and catalogues. Some use “unused” as the general category and then describe the gum; others treat “unused” as implying something less than mint. Always check how a seller or catalogue defines the terms.

Catalogue Symbols

Many catalogues use symbols to distinguish conditions:

• ** — mint never hinged.
• * — unused with hinged gum.
• (*) — unused without gum.
• ⊙ or o — used.

The precise meaning depends on the catalogue, so consult its introduction.

Why Unused Without Gum Matters

For classic stamps, many surviving unused copies have lost their gum through soaking, deterioration or deliberate removal. Catalogues sometimes give separate values for unused without gum. Such stamps are genuine and collectable, but priced below copies with original gum.

Unused Versus Used

The opposite of unused is used — a stamp that has been cancelled. Cancelled to order stamps are cancelled but have not carried mail; they are neither truly used nor unused, and catalogues treat them separately where it matters.