MINT!?!? Lets get this straight!!!!

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leicashot

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I am seeing a MAJOR DECLINE in the meaning of 'MINT' when it comes to describing Leica camera equipment in recent times.

Mint, to me has always meant that the lens is:
- clean, no stains or blemishes.
- can show signs of use with very faint rub marks, but no scratches or damage.
- is NOT 'like new' or else it would 'look' like new.
- is a description of the equipment ONLY, and does not insinuate that it comes with the box and accessories as it came new.
- works 100% perfectly, 'as new'.
- no paint loss at all.

....then how do some sellers claim lenses are mint?



So tell me, has the meaning of mint changed since digital, and 'everyone' became a photographer?
 
For me, "mint" means as close to looking new as is reasonable for the age of the item. A mint Leica X1 should look practically new, but a mint M3 could reasonably have some scratches and nicks. That's just me though.

I think if "mint" is very important to you, you should probably just pay the extra and get new stuff.
 
The black one has marks on the hood... that's not mint, but it is excellent + ... no big deal to me really since it so minimal.
 
IMO "mint" should only be used to describe an item that is near-impossible to tell apart from new. "Like new" is thus a synonym. That is, after all, where the term comes from: I.E. "to be freshly minted." Meaning new.

Therefore, it is highly unlikely that a piece of camera gear over 20 years old can be described as mint unless it's been kept in a box.

The first lens you linked is clearly not "mint". I think it could rate as "excellent" given its age.

The second lens does look "mint" to me.
 
thegman said:
For me, "mint" means as close to looking new as is reasonable for the age of the item.
Click to expand...

To me, that is a loose use of "mint". I don't think you can make it a relative term. It should be absolute. If your 50 year old Summicron is mint, that means it looks and performs like it did the day it came out of the factory.
 
leicashot said:
I am seeing a MAJOR DECLINE in the meaning of 'MINT' when it comes to describing Leica camera equipment in recent times.

Mint, to me has always meant that the lens is:
- clean, no stains or blemishes.
- can show signs of use with very faint rub marks, but no scratches or damage.
- is NOT 'like new' or else it would 'look' like new.
- is a description of the equipment ONLY, and does not insinuate that it comes with the box and accessories as it came new.
- works 100% perfectly, 'as new'.
- no paint loss at all.
Click to expand...

That is already a loose definition. In numismatics, where the term comes from, it means "new, unblemished and untouched by human hands" - and two generations ago, respectable camera dealers had similar standards (and would touch mint items only in gloves, if at all).
 
Paddy C said:
IMO "mint" should only be used to describe an item that is near-impossible to tell apart from new. "Like new" is thus a synonym. That is, after all, where the term comes from: I.E. "to be freshly minted." Meaning new.
Click to expand...

+1 on this definition, and "like new" means its so fresh that it still has the box, papers, caps and case.

I also use the term "minty" to describe used gear that requires someone to point out any wear or flaw, or when macrovision is needed to see any.

On used gear in the past I'd say about half was overated, but the ratings seem to have deteriorated as lenses got scarce.

Cal
 
Mint, I was always of the impression that it meant as if it came straight from the mint, i.e. as new. Minty is a sensation of taste, as in ths gum is really minty. I therefore mistrust any use of either to describe condition. My two cents.
 
I believe the term "Mint" came from the coin collectors in that it means it is exactly like it was when it was struck at the Mint...more so it was never used by anyone for making change and some might go so far as to not want the coin touched by human hands unless one is wearing gloves...That is Mint...
So a 1880 Mint condition coin would be just like it was when struck not "In Mint condition for its age..."
I found a lens at a garage sale that appeared as if it had never been mounted on any camera...I would still described it as "Near Mint" or "Like New" besides the lens cap had a small scruff on it...
 
Mint condition coins have marks in them from being transported in a bag. They are not perfect.

"Proof" coins are without these "mint" marks, and are placed in protective cases.

The sellers in each case provided a lot of pictures to define what they mean by mint. Mint is only a word, and does not mean "perfect condition" in the coin collecting world. at least in the books that I have on the subject.

My #1 and #2 Star Trek comics are in ex+ or better condition. Damn- I need to have them rated by a Professional to get the bucks for them. Great 12cent investments.
 
This last year I sold a set of three Leitz lenses here. I considered them to be 'near mint' and they sold quickly.

The buyer returned them, he had issues with all three lenses. In one case, I found the 'near mint' claim to be untrue because the lens (a truly perfect Summaron 35/2.8 goggled M3) wasn't as smooth as a new one. :eek::eek:

I will honestly never put the label 'mint' on anything again.
 
I've always viewed the word "Mint" as being subjective. Much like how bokeh is subjective or, for that matter, some elements of figure skating.

If it looks good and there aren't any scratches or marks on it and it's got the box and packing stuff.. that's "mint" to me..

I think I'll just describe the item in any future sale posts here :) I've purposely tried to avoid using the word since it's a descriptor and subjective in value..

Cheers,
Dave
 
Of course I am talking about coins, not cameras- and going by a book that I bought decades ago.

meaning of words changes over the decades.

And so has collecting. Having to have a Pro rate a 12cent comic book ao you can sell it at the "book" price. What a Racket.

It has been a long time- maybe I am getting "Brilliant-Uncirculated" mixed up with "Mint".

Just wait until Ebay sellers list cameras as "Brilliant-Uncirculated-63" condition.
 
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A dealer called me once to say that he had a 'mint' M3 he'd like my opinion about. When I saw it, it had a big scratch on the baseplate. I pointed this out. He shrugged: "Well, apart from that, it's mint..."

Cheers,

R.
 
Paddy C said:
To me, that is a loose use of "mint". I don't think you can make it a relative term. It should be absolute. If your 50 year old Summicron is mint, that means it looks and performs like it did the day it came out of the factory.
Click to expand...

+1

"Mint" is not relative.
 
'Mint' was a definite term, meaning totally like new in every respect, and not 'considering it has been used'.

The word has been abused, and now means something less than 'like new', some people even thinking 'mint' means 'still functioning and usable'.

Steve
 
When I got my latest aquisition out of the box, the first thing I had to do was clean all the 'mint' off of it.

PF
 
Mentha (also known as Mint, from Greek míntha,[1] Linear B mi-ta)[2] is a genus of flowering plants in the family Lamiaceae (mint family).[3]
Click to expand...

I thought Mentha wath that thmart group of folkth with really high IQ'th!:D
 
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