What is Mint?

[Nemozoe]

Recently I was looking at a toy on Ebay which the seller described as "Mint". Upon looking at the toy it obviously wasn't. There were very noticable signs of wear and tear, as well as other issues. This lead me searching google for a "toy grading" guide and I found this which appears to be very close to my own definition of terms. I was curious as to how many here would agree or disagree about the following terms, as they certainly can apply to Megos. Here are the terms copied from my google search:

Mint - indistinguishable from the condition of the toy when produced by the manufacturer originally. A Very high standard. The toy must have no damage - stored under ideal conditions. Surfaces are perfect. Any missing parts must be described. Toy may have developed a very pleasing patina due to slight oxidation of the surface. A manufacturing defect does not downgrade the toy but should be described. Old toys almost never meet this standard.

Near Mint - As mint except for a very minor flaw not readily noticed.

Excellent - more flaws, but toy is quite acceptable in the finest collections. Beautiful toy. Paint still glossy and bright. Very minor paint or cloth damage. The eye is not drawn to the defects but to the overall beauty of the toy.

Very Good - paint or clothes have some problems. Paint may be slightly dull, clothes somewhat faded. There may be some wood damage. Still an acceptable grade for fine collections, especially for rare pieces.

Good - obviously played with. Considerable wear and damage. not acceptable in the finest collections but still quite displayable.

Fair - played with to the point of breakdown. Needs restoration to be presentable.

Poor - a space filler for rare pieces. Significant paint or wood damage. May not be reliably identifiable as to style. Hard to properly restore.

Plus + and minus - signs may be used to indicate that the toy is a bit better or worse than the standard for the grade.

[clemso]

Well I could imagine a mint figure in N.Mint packaging (mocs for example) but even freshly open cases of Megos have flaws. So i agree that Mint may not apply to most old toys.

And welcome Nemozoe!

Clem

[Mikey]

There is no such thing as "mint"

Mint is a subjective term

The sharpest razor blade in the world is blunt when looking at it through a micoscope.

[Nemozoe]

I do tend to agree with you Kirk about "Mint" being a subjective term. But on a personal level I will still consider something Mint if it is still sealed in the factory packaging without ever having been opened. But at the same time I know there are sealed Megos that have say a broken limb. In this case they are not Mint. They can be opened and repaired making them Near Mint at best.

[MysteryWho]

Mint is a little bird chirping in a meadow.
Mint is a wreath of pretty flowers that smell bad.

[Bill]

If you're selling it, it's Mint.

If you're buying it, it has flaws.

[cjefferys]

For the most part, I don't believe in absolutes. The tiniest flaw could be found in something at the top of the scale if you look hard enough, as could some very small positive aspect be found in something at the bottom of the scale. So no, I don't believe in "mint condition".

[kryptosmaster]

If you're selling it, it's Mint.

If you're buying it, it has flaws.

Hahahahahahahahaha!!!
I like that answer!!
So true!!
If you're buying it you're going to pick every little speck apart. If you're selling it, it's "normal".
Rich

[livnxxxl]

Mint is a very common misused word that most sellers use to peddle their wares. Just like rare and hard to find. For the most part I do agree with Bill.

[Mikey]

I've always hated mint jelly.

[livnxxxl]

I've always hated mint jelly.

It doesn't really sound all that appealing to me either. I never tried it so I will take your word for it.

[trekman101]

I agree with those definitions but one is left out...MIB(mint in box)which pretty much means perfect toy,perfect packaging.Something thats almost impossible to find.

[jwiz154]

Mint is a very common misused word that most sellers use to peddle their wares. Just like rare and hard to find. For the most part I do agree with Bill.

Very well said...... or typed! All those words are used by sellers to convince you that their item is great and if you don't buy it right now, you may never see it again. Another word way over used is .... collectible. How many times how you gone somewhere and found something that interests you. As soon as you ask a question, the first thing out of the sellers mouth is " O that, that's collectible. I have to get (price) for that.......

[Nemozoe]

I agree with those definitions but one is left out...MIB(mint in box)which pretty much means perfect toy,perfect packaging.Something thats almost impossible to find.

That's not entirely accurate. MIB, MOC, MIP, usually means the contents have never been opened or removed. The packaging could look like it's been kicked around, sun faded, bent corners, etc. These definitions are a little more difficult to challenge because they mean exactly what they imply: The packaging can have flaws but the item itself is still "considered" factory perfect.

MIMB - Mint in Mint Box. I believe this is the term you might actually mean. The problem with using this term is you are opening yourself up to vast scrutiny from collectors who will put more emphasis on the packaging rather than the actual contents.

These terms were not included on the list because they are essentially sub-terms for packaging, not the physical toy. Somewhere along the way (probably due to vintage Star Wars) packaging got perversly incorporated into the equation because collectors wanted complete toys that had never been played with. Then it became a case of finding perfect packaging that one could display instead of opening. Most people really did not care about the packaging for many vintage toy lines prior to this because they did not realize they would eventually become "collectible". So these MIB terms should really be in their own category.

[trekman101]

That's not entirely accurate. MIB, MOC, MIP, usually means the contents have never been opened or removed. The packaging could look like it's been kicked around, sun faded, bent corners, etc. These definitions are a little more difficult to challenge because they mean exactly what they imply: The packaging can have flaws but the item itself is still "considered" factory perfect.

MIMB - Mint in Mint Box. I believe this is the term you might actually mean. The problem with using this term is you are opening yourself up to vast scrutiny from collectors who will put more emphasis on the packaging rather than the actual contents.

These terms were not included on the list because they are essentially sub-terms for packaging, not the physical toy. Somewhere along the way (probably due to vintage Star Wars) packaging got perversly incorporated into the equation because collectors wanted complete toys that had never been played with. Then it became a case of finding perfect packaging that one could display instead of opening. Most people really did not care about the packaging for many vintage toy lines prior to this because they did not realize they would eventually become "collectible". So these MIB terms should really be in their own category.

point taken...you could probably also add "never been opened"to the sub category