Topical Stamp Collecting
Building Your Collection

Mint (unused) or used … and other decisions

Collecting mint stamps only, used only, or a combination of the two

• If you include used stamps, do not include heavily cancelled stamps
• If used are light canceled, see if “canceled to order” (CTO) … a procedure where the issuing government creates a used stamp without that stamps having seen postal duty.
• They generally have gum on the back
• Postally used stamps are preferred over CTO
• Mint stamps are the most attractive

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