Abbreviations

Philatelic Auction Catalog Terminology

o	used
*	unused, but some type of gum issue
**	mint (original gum), never hinged
AD	addressed
BOB	back-of-the-book
BP	booklet pane
c	cover
CDS	circular date stamp
clln	collection
CV	catalog value
cvr	cover
CA	cacheted
CC	corner card
DG	disturbed gum
EFOs	errors, freaks and oddities
EST	estimate
FDC	first day cover
FDI	first day of issue
FV	face value
H	hinged
HR	hinge remnant
HS	handstamp
LH	lightly hinged
MNH	mint (original gum), never hinged
M/S	manuscript
NG	no gum
NGAI	no gum as issued
NH	never hinged
P	photo illustration
PA	penned address
PB	plate number block
PPC	picture postcard
PS	postal stationery
RET	retail
SAN	Stamp Auction Network
SS	souvenir sheet
TA	typed address
UA	unaddressed
UC	uncacheted
WW	world-wide

Extremely Fine (XF)	all 4 margins are equal
Very Fine (VF)	all sides definitely clear of perfs
Fine – Very Fine (F-VF)	design close to perforations on 1 side
Fine (F)	stamp design close to perforations on 2 sides
Very Good–Fine (VG-F)	perforations into design on 1 side
Very Good (VG)	stamp perforations into design, or design is cut into for imperforates, on 2 sides