Why do people describe stuff as "minty?"

[vvvmmm]

Why do people describe stuff as "minty?"

1. to annoy me;
2. because it was washed with Summers Eve;
3. because "mintastic" has 5 more letters to cause a mispellerin'.

 

[Marley's Ghost]

Mint condition - For coins, it’s the condition of the coin when it’s left the mint before it’s circulated. Perfect is the better word.

It's more complicated than that. Coins are graded on a numeric scale of 1-70 from poor to BU - Brilliant uncirculated. There are 11 levels of uncirculated - MS60 to MS70. 70 is as close to perfect as can be found and usually "proof" which are minted in a separate process and sealed airtight.

 

[Bonafide]

Dead ass mint.

ISMO approves of this reply.

 

[bassballs27]

It's more complicated than that. Coins are graded on a numeric scale of 1-70 from poor to BU - Brilliant uncirculated. There are 11 levels of uncirculated - MS60 to MS70. 70 is as close to perfect as can be found and usually "proof" which are minted in a separate process and sealed airtight.

So is this a standard for any mint worldwide? Sounds like the phrase mint really does have varying degrees if brought into that context.

Excellent, perfect, to explain the condition for an item that is for sale are all nice adjectives that really mean nothing. However, if mint has a unit of measure like that I wonder why “mint condition” is even used.

 

[Tom Bomb]

Where's the proof? That's the question. I got my answer. Concrete, in the affirmative
​

 

[-Asdfgh-]

My ‘68 is in good condition. It’s mintiness wore off long ago and it kinda smells funny.

It's at least the colour of butter. Does it play like it?

 

[Marley's Ghost]

So is this a standard for any mint worldwide? Sounds like the phrase mint really does have varying degrees if brought into that context.

Excellent, perfect, to explain the condition for an item that is for sale are all nice adjectives that really mean nothing. However, if mint has a unit of measure like that I wonder why “mint condition” is even used.

In numismatics a "mint state" is roughly equivalent to uncirculated. A "mint" is also a factory where coins are produced. North America, Europe and a few other countries use the same standards systems as I described.

Coin grading - Wikipedia

 

[bassballs27]

In numismatics a "mint state" is roughly equivalent to uncirculated. A "mint" is also a factory where coins are produced. North America, Europe and a few other countries use the same standards systems as I described.

Coin grading - Wikipedia

Very interesting. I own coins, but have never got into the hobby to this depth.
Bass, well that’s another thing.
We should come up a standard means of determining the condition of a bass. Why not? Let’s give these adjectives some objectivity!

 

[wiscoaster]

I collect vintage firearms and I've bought a lot of them online. I have a standing rule (one of several to try to avoid getting screwed): any item described as "minty" (or some feature of that item, such as its bore, described as "minty") I will absolutely and unconditionally not consider buying. I think it indicates a seller that either doesn't know what they're talking about, or a seller that's trying to hide something. That being said, in the world of used firearms, there are specific terms that are well-defined to describe their condition. And "minty" or even "mint" aren't defined terms. Maybe the used instruments world could use such defined terminology across all platforms. Such as Reverb uses, for example. Reverb does use "mint" as a defined condition term, so my "minty" rule against buying used online doesn't necessarily transfer to instruments; it's probably close enough to discount.

 

[pepj]

Yep, why DO people use that...
I'd be inclined to file under 'not a serious sale'

 

[GIBrat51]

When "mint condition" would be overstating things, but "excellent condition" doesn't seem to do it justice.... "minty" is a useful middle ground.

^THIS^ pretty much. I have 2 "used" basses that came to me in this condition; a COY '01 Rick 4003, and an '06 Carvin LB-20. On inspection after arrival, I honestly couldn't find any blemishes or flaws on them at all; and if they had been played? It wasn't very often, and certainly not for very long. The 4003's original owner did take the bridge cover off; managed to lose it, too... But, that was the only evidence that it had even been taken out of it's case. The Carvin? No signs of any use, much less abuse, that I could ever find, unaided. So... yeah; AFAIC, those two basses were the definition of "minty"...

 

[wiscoaster]

"Like new" would be a better condition description, IMO.

 

[5StringBlues]

 

[mongo2]

My Danelectro made Silvertone 1444 with case is as new with the exception of a string change and a crack in the pickguar. The case has some dust, a bit of tarnish on the hadware and a couple of scuffs so I call the package mint-ish.