GLOSSARY
Mint never hinged, hinge, single franking or certificate – here we explain the terms and abbreviations you will find in our item descriptions.
Condition · Covers and frankings · Catalogue and expertising · Further terms
Condition
mint never hinged (**)
Unused, with full, undisturbed original gum and no hinge mark – just as the stamp was sold at the post office counter.
unused, hinged (*)
Unused, but the gum shows the mark of a stamp hinge or a hinge remnant.
unused without gum ((*))
Unused, but without gum – either issued that way or removed later.
used (⊙)
The stamp was used for postage and cancelled with a postmark.
Hinge
Small gummed paper strip once used to mount stamps in albums. It leaves traces on the back.
Piece
Cut-out from a cover or card with stamp and postmark. It shows genuine use, but is worth less than the complete cover.
Covers and frankings
Cover
Collective term for items carried by the post, such as letters, postcards or parcel cards.
Letter / envelope
A letter is a mailed item, often with contents. By envelope we mean the cover without contents.
Postal stationery
Postcard, envelope or letter card with a pre-printed stamp.
EF – single franking
One single stamp pays the entire postage on its own. Correct single frankings are sought after for many stamps.
MeF / MeFr. – multiple franking
Several stamps of the same value on one item.
MiF / MiFr. – mixed franking
Stamps of different values on one item.
Correct postage rate
The franking exactly matches the postage that applied at the time for this type and weight of item. Covers with correct postage are especially popular with collectors.
Overfranked
The item bears more stamps than the postage required – common on philatelic covers.
Registered mail
Item with proof of posting and delivery, recognisable by the registration label or cancel.
FDC – first day cover
Envelope with a new stamp, cancelled on its first day of issue.
Special cancel
Postmark for a special occasion, such as an exhibition, an anniversary or an event.
Pre-philately
Letters from the time before stamps were introduced in the area concerned – with handwritten notes or early town postmarks.
Field post
Mail to and from soldiers, usually free of postage and with a field post cancel.
Censorship
Item opened by a censor, recognisable by a censor mark or resealing strip.
Catalogue and expertising
Michel number
Number of the stamp in the MICHEL catalogue, the most widely used stamp catalogue in German-speaking countries. More in our guide What is a Michel number?
Catalogue value
Guide value from the catalogue for orientation. Actual market prices are usually well below it.
Shade, type and suffixes
Letters and symbols after the Michel number indicate differences, for example in shade (a, b, c) or type (I, II) – such as Michel number 92 I a.
Expertised
A recognised expert has examined the stamp and marked it with his signature on the back.
Short certificate (Befund)
Brief written confirmation from an expert on authenticity and condition, often also noting faults.
Certificate (Attest)
Detailed written expertise with a photo of the item – customary for valuable stamps and covers.
Plate flaw
Small, recurring flaw in the stamp design caused by damage to the printing plate.
Further terms
Souvenir sheet (block)
Small sheet with one or more stamps and a printed margin, issued as a whole.
Se-tenant
Different stamps, or a stamp and an advertising label, printed joined together.
Overprint
Text or value printed onto a stamp afterwards, for example a new face value.
Official stamp
Stamp for the mail of authorities and public offices only.
Perforation / imperforate
The holes along the edge used to separate stamps. Early stamps are often imperforate, i.e. without perforation.
Forerunner / concurrent use
Stamps of the mother country used in colonies and post offices abroad – as forerunners before their own issues, or concurrently alongside them.
Postage-valid stamps
Valid, mint stamps that can still be used for postage. We buy them at fixed rates – see Sell your collection.
