What do you consider "mint"?

[Balsquat]

Hi there Sideshowfreaks,
Just wanted some opinions on what "mint" truly means. Due to the hand painted and fragile nature of these collectibles, can there be such a thing as absolutely mint?
My own personal experiences have taught me that nothing is truly mint. Every single piece has some kind of flaw. I believe "mint" is ultimately based on what flaws one person is able to live with versus the next.

Example of not "mint":
a dent
large scratch
breakage

Example of still "mint":
Something is slightly loose or not tight (joints, moveable parts etc.)
slight discoloration
slightly poor paint apps in some areas
small hardly noticeable scratches or scratches in "non noticeable" places (Bottom of a base, at the back etc.)

What are your opinions... Do any of you truly have a perfect piece with no negatives?
No worries at all?
I have been stewing over this for a while. Is it right to be "knitpicky"?

 

[creecher]

Mint is when the item is as received, and not opened, regardless of if it has faults or not. The article itself would therefore be hard to grade, but having the packaging in perfect condition would be necessary.

The article itself is subject to flaws but only those from production, over which the individual has no control, breakages and chips do not fall under this category. Those could occur in transit, rendering the article non mint.

 

[Balsquat]

Mint is when the item is as received, and not opened, regardless of if it has faults or not. The article itself would therefore be hard to grade, but having the packaging in perfect condition would be necessary.

The article itself is subject to flaws but only those from production, over which the individual has no control, breakages and chips do not fall under this category. Those could occur in transit, rendering the article non mint.

Do you own pieces without flaws than, I mean after they have been opened and put on your shelf?

 

[creecher]

I'm not that nitpicky. I have items that pass my inspection, and am happy with.

Once they are on the shelf they are no longer mint, even if they are flawless. Due to the fact they have or could have been handled, and so, may have a residue on them.

To me, mint implies, as having come right of the press, as in straight from the mint. Even mint items, as in coins or paper monies, have flaws and inconsistencies that make them worth more in some cases.

 

[Balsquat]

I'm not that nitpicky. I have items that pass my inspection, and am happy with.

Once they are on the shelf they are no longer mint, even if they are flawless. Due to the fact they have or could have been handled, and so, may have a residue on them.

To me, mint implies, as having come right of the press, as in straight from the mint. Even mint items, as in coins or paper monies, have flaws and inconsistencies that make them worth more in some cases.

I get what your saying. Thanks for the input!

 

[Kratos]

I'm not that nitpicky. I have items that pass my inspection, and am happy with.

Once they are on the shelf they are no longer mint, even if they are flawless. Due to the fact they have or could have been handled, and so, may have a residue on them.

To me, mint implies, as having come right of the press, as in straight from the mint. Even mint items, as in coins or paper monies, have flaws and inconsistencies that make them worth more in some cases.

That is a good description of mint

 

[creecher]

Soitenly.

I'm sure there are more opinions out there. We've all got one, so there should be some more input soon.

Edit. I have more opinion.

I think the term 'mint' does come from our money producing factory. A place where close scrutiny of all moulds, father and mother moulds, and their produced offsping is supposed to render a perfect copy each time.

Even so, special production runs are put aside as mint items, for collectors, in their own display cases, to ensure the 'mint', untouched condition, of the said piece. This scrutiny isn't infallible, thus the flawed article, being even rarer, demands higher prices on the secondary market, when discovered. Due to time difference between discovery and recall of said flawed items, these flawed items occasionally find there way to discerning collectors.

 

[Balsquat]

yea i have seen that in action. Mistakes on packaging or variant covers = huge money in the aftermarket

Soitenly.

I'm sure there are more opinions out there. We've all got one, so there should be some more input soon.

Edit. I have more opinion.

I think the term 'mint' does come from our money producing factory. A place where close scrutiny of all moulds, father and mother moulds, and their produced offsping is supposed to render a perfect copy each time.

Even so, special production runs are put aside as mint items, for collectors, in their own display cases, to ensure the 'mint', untouched condition, of the said piece. This scrutiny isn't infallible, thus the flawed article, being even rarer, demands higher prices on the secondary market, when discovered. Due to time difference between discovery and recall of said flawed items, these flawed items occasionally find there way to discerning collectors.

 

[Havok]

I guess to me mint means excellent condition with no noticeable scratches, chips, paint rubs, etc. I agree no piece is gonna be perfect, just about everything I own has some kind of mark on it or something similar. The main thing for me is that as long as I can't notice it under the lighting in my display area, then it passes for me. You'd be surprised though how many flaws come out on a piece when you bring it out in natural light.

 

[tomandshell]

If I'm buying on eBay, something "mint" needs to be unopened and still factory sealed. If it's been opened and handled, it is no longer in the same condition as when it was sealed and shipped from the factory. For me, mint means that nobody has handled it since it was boxed up and shipped out. (That doesn't mean it's perfect--there may be some kind of flaw or issue that got past QC, but it was like that when it left the factory.)

Cut through the tape and it has become a used item, for my money. I have no idea whether a broken seal means that it was opened for inspection or if it was handled and the piece sat on display without incident, etc. That piece might still be absolutely worth buying, but I wouldn't consider it mint. I would call it "like new" or "in perfect condition" or something like that, but not "mint."

Mint = Untouched

But that's just my opinion. (Although with my opinion + four dollars, you can get coffee at Starbucks.)

 

[Mesa]

I guess to me mint means excellent condition with no noticeable scratches, chips, paint rubs, etc. I agree no piece is gonna be perfect, just about everything I own has some kind of mark on it or something similar. The main thing for me is that as long as I can't notice it under the lighting in my display area, then it passes for me. You'd be surprised though how many flaws come out on a piece when you bring it out in natural light.

Amen. My Iron spriderman looked great until people started complaining about scratches. I didn't even think mine had any, until I shined a focussed flashlight on the head, and then I noticed them; but they are invisible under "normal" lighting. So I would consider it mint, but someone else may not.

 

[Balsquat]

Great input guys

Being a perfectionist, this is the part of collecting I never liked and actually, turned me towards 1/6 figures due to the less fragile nature of the collectible. Plus i feel like with 1/4 scale, there is almost too much room for error.

 

[Voorhees27]

To answer the original question, my answer is this:

Something p!tu hasn't touched.

 

[King Darkness]

To answer the original question, my answer is this:

Something p!tu hasn't touched.

I guess my ween is no longer mint

 

[lcummins]

In most collectibles circles (e.g. Comics, trading cards, etc.) Mint does not mean it has never been handled... only that the condition is almost as good as it can get. I say "almost" because a lot of collectors also use "GEM MINT" to refer to an item that is basically perfect and couldn't be improved upon.

So in my opinion, even a statue or figure that has been displayed, could be considered Mint if it is in the same condition as when it came out of the package. That is why we have designations like MISB (Mint in sealed box) to show that it has never been opened, versus MIB (Mint in box) for an item that has been opened and possibly even displayed. Just my two cents...

 

[The Ween]

I guess my ween is no longer mint

What is it now? Butterscotch?

 

[Darklord Dave]

In most collectibles circles (e.g. Comics, trading cards, etc.) Mint does not mean it has never been handled... only that the condition is almost as good as it can get. I say "almost" because a lot of collectors also use "GEM MINT" to refer to an item that is basically perfect and couldn't be improved upon.

So in my opinion, even a statue or figure that has been displayed, could be considered Mint if it is in the same condition as when it came out of the package. That is why we have designations like MISB (Mint in sealed box) to show that it has never been opened, versus MIB (Mint in box) for an item that has been opened and possibly even displayed. Just my two cents...

I would agree with this about statues. But for 1/6 figure collectors, whether you say MIB or MIMB or MISB, just "Mint" implies the tape hasn't been cut and the twisties are in place. However for Star Wars figures that can be replaced exactly as they came from the factory, I'm not sure what the designation would mean.

 

[lcummins]

I would agree with this about statues. But for 1/6 figure collectors, whether you say MIB or MIMB or MISB, just "Mint" implies the tape hasn't been cut and the twisties are in place. However for Star Wars figures that can be replaced exactly as they came from the factory, I'm not sure what the designation would mean.

I'm not so sure Dave... if you look at a lot of eBay auctions, people will use MIB even though the figure has been opened. At least that has been my experience. If I saw MIB listed, I would ask if it has ever been opened and not assume it hasn't.

 

[Mad Old Lu]

I agree with Creecher. To me, "mint" implies that it's exactly how it came from the factory, and how it would be if I were to pick it out at a store and not manhandled. And like Creecher said, that may still mean that there are flaws--but the flaws are from the manufacturer or shipping. I know that when I buy something at a store like a book or comic or even a DVD, I will still look for a pristine copy among the shelves. My wife thinks I'm nuts, and a lot of my frenz did when I they first discovered that about me. Although I'm happy to say that I did convert a few once they saw the benefits of being that picky.

If the piece has been handled beyond what the manufacturer and shipper do, then it's no longer mint. It should be described as "perfect" or "flawless" (if they are indeed perfect or flawless), but not "mint".

And once I take it out of the packaging, even if I am utterly careful, I know it's not mint. I may even give it a little wear and tear, but I'm okay with it because it was caused by me. I would be more reluctant to accept someone else's wear and tear, even if it was identical to what I would cause. Did that make sense?

 

[Kuzeh]

What do you consider "mint"?

This:

or this too...