nearmint

Near mint is a term used in collectibles to describe items that are in excellent condition with only minor flaws that do not significantly affect overall appearance or value. It sits below mint condition, which implies flawless items, and above more worn grades. The term is commonly used across markets such as sports cards, comics, coins, stamps, action figures, vinyl records, and other memorabilia.

Common characteristics include minimal wear that is barely noticeable. For paper items, this might mean tiny corner wear, slight edge wear, or faint surface marks. For coins, it could be small contact marks that do not affect luster. For figurines or figures, it may indicate tiny paint flecks or micro abrasions. For records, light surface scratches that do not impact playback are typical. The exact criteria vary by item and grading standard; near mint is inherently subjective and relies on the evaluator’s judgment and market expectations.

Grading and standards vary: there is no universal system, and professional grading services use internal rubrics while individual dealers may apply flexible interpretations. Because of this, near mint is often used as a practical descriptor in catalogs and listings rather than a formal, universally adopted grade.

Value implications also vary: near-mint items generally fetch higher prices than more worn items, but outcomes depend on demand, rarity, and the specific flaws present.

Etymology: the term combines “near” with “mint,” signaling closeness to mint-condition quality; its common usage grew in the 20th century as collecting markets expanded.