Philatelic Condition Taxonomy

Updated: January 20, 2026

Stamp Condition

Name	Abbrev	Meaning
Mint Never Hinged	MNH	Original gum, no hinge, no mark
Mint Original Gum	MOG	Original gum; may or may not be hinged (neutral)
Mint Very Lightly Hinged	MVLH	Gum disturbed only slightly; hinge trace nearly invisible
Mint Lightly Hinged	MLH	Original gum; small hinge mark or slight disturbance
Mint Hinged	MH	Clear hinge mark or disturbance
Mint Heavily Hinged	HH	Strong hinge disturbance
Mint Hinge Remnant	MHR	Hinge fragment remains on gum
Mint No Gum	MNG	No gum at all (issued without gum or removed)
Mint Regummed	RG	Gum added later to mimic original
Unused No Gum	UNG	Often used for unused without gum
Used	Canceled	Canceled postally
Used Hinged	UH	Canceled postally, hinge intact
Used Lightly Hinged	ULH	Canceled postally, hinge marks
Used Hinge Remnant	UHR	Canceled postally, hinge fragment remains
Cancelled to Order	CTO	Cancelled without postal use; often with gum
Postal Used	PU	Distinguishes from CTO
Socked on the Nose	SON	Cancellation centered cleanly
Favor Cancel	FC	Cancelled without postal duty
On Cover	OC	Full cover exists
Tied	T	Tied to cover or piece
First day cover	FDC	First day cover

Name	Abbrev	Meaning
Original Gum	OG	Still original, no repaint
No Gum	NG	No Gum
Part Gum	POG	Partial gum present
Disturbed Gum	DOG	Gum rubbed, sweated, or uneven
Sweated Gum	SW	Heat exposure removed gum sheen
Crackly Gum	CG	Natural cracking; classic US & BEP era

Name	Abbrev	Meaning
Thins	Thins	Paper fibers removed, visible translucency
Scuffs	Scuffs	Surface abrasion
Tears	Tear	Paper structural defects
Crease	Crease	Paper structural defects
Fold	Fold	Paper structural defects
Reperforated	Reperforated	Perfs added to simulate different variety
Repaired	Repaired	Professional restoration work
Pressed	POC	Human attempt to remove crease
Cleaned	Cleaned	Chemical alteration
Bleached	Bleached	Color artificially lightened