FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
This is a very useful page and often includes answers to the questions we receive. We are always delighted to hear from you so if you require any further information, please get in touch to speak with a member of our team who will be happy to help.
Searching this site – tricks and tips
What do the abbreviations in your descriptions mean?
We often use abbreviations in our lot descriptions.
Our most popular ones:
M or MINT
Unused with original gum, previously or currently hinged.
MINT NH
Mint never hinged, the same as Unmounted Mint. See NHM.
NHM
Never hinged mint – unused with original gum never previously hinged or otherwise mounted by affixing anything to the gummed side.
UNUSED
As mint but without gum.
U or USED
Used, postmarked or otherwise cancelled.
Alphabetical list:
AU$ – Australian Dollars
BET – Between
BLK – Block (4)
C$ – Canadian Dollars
CANC – Cancelled
CAT – Catalogue value or catalogue name
CDS – Circular date stamp
COLLN – Collection
CTO – Cancelled to order, or cancelled by favour
F – Fine
FDC – First day cover
FDI – First day of issue
FU – Fine used
FULL OG – Full original gum, a sample with intact gum which has not been previously hinged or otherwise disturbed (see also never hinged mint)
GBP – Great Britain Pounds – the currency for all transactions on this site
INCL – Including
LARGE PART OG – Large part original gum, where less than 50% of the original gum has been disturbed by previous hinging or otherwise
MARG – Margin
M/S – Miniature sheet
OG – Original gum
OPT or OVPT– Overprint
P – Perforation
PART OG – part original gum, where approximately 50% of the original gum has been disturbed by previous hinging or otherwise
PERF – Perforation
PPC – Picture postcard
P.STAT or P/STAT – Postal stationary
SELN or VALS TO – Selection to (not a full unbroken run)
SET – Complete set as listed by Stanley Gibbons, or if expressly referred to in the description another published catalogue. This often precludes very high values and other (usually rarities) excluded from the numbered range described as a ‘set’ in the SG or other catalogue.
SET TO – A ‘short set’. A complete set as listed by Stanley Gibbons, or if expressly referred to in the description another published catalogue but to a value lower than the top value in the set as indicated by the catalogue as above. This often precludes very high values and other (usually rarities) excluded from the numbered range described as a ‘set’ in the SG or other catalogue.
STC – Stated to catalogue (a catalogue value not calculated by us so whilst appearing to be somewhat accurate we can’t guarantee accuracy)
SURCH – Surcharge
USD – United States Dollar
VALS – Values
VALUES TO – A range, not necessarily complete, up to a stated values
VARS – Varieties
VF – Very fine
VFM – Very fine mint
VFU – Very fine used
WMK – Watermark
W/N – Within
W/O – Without