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Symbols and Abbreviations


Stamps are all mint never hinged unless otherwise noted

Issue Type
Abbreviation Definition
BK Unexploded or complete booklet
CPN Convertible booklet pane
D Booklet single, imperforate on one side
D PR Booklet pair, imperforate horizontally or vertically on 2 sides
DS Double-sided
E BK Booklet single, imperforate on 2 sides
E PC Electro's Precancel
E PR Booklet end pair, imperforate on 3 sides
EE Double Electro's Precancel
EFO Error, freak or oddity
FDC First Day cover
FOLD Folded booklet pane
GP (Pc) Precancel pair, spacing between lines
GP Gutter pair - Farleys, uncut sheet pair, or untagged gap line (2452 coils)
LAB, LB Booklet label type:
1 or I - "Mail Early" 6 or VI - 1395c stamps in this book
2 or II - "Zone number" (5 lines) 7 or VII - "ZIP" on 1395d
3 or III - "ZIP" (4 lines) 8 or VIII - "Pay Bills" on 1595d
4 or IV - "Mail Early" (1278a) 9 or IX - "Collect Stamps" on 1595b,d
5 or V - "ZIP" (1278a)  
LP/GP Combination of line pair and gap pair of 2 or 3 stamps
LO, L/lo Local precancel
LP/PS Line pair or plate number strip
P Precancel identifier - P601 = precancel #601
PB/PN Plate block or plate number booklet pane
PC Precancel
PS Plate number coil strip
SING Single stamp
SS Souvenir sheet


Centering
Abbreviation Definition
AV Average - perfs cut into design
FINE Fine - perfs are clear of design
FVF Fine/Very Fine - centering that will please most collectors
VF Very Fine - 3 sides are balanced, and one is closer to FVF
XF Extra Fine


Gum
Abbreviation Definition
DG Dull finished gum
ER, UTE Untagged error - "tagging omitted" in Scott Catalog
HGG High-gloss gum
HH Heavily hinged
LGG Low-gloss gum
LH Lightly hinged
MG Matte gum - shiny, low luster gum
NG Mint, no gum
NH Mint, never hinged (with original gum)
SAD Self-adhesive
SG Shiny, high luster gum
WG White gum
YG, yg, Yellow gum


Tagging
Abbreviation Definition
BR Bright paper response
BT Block tagging - untagged square frame around stamp design
DPA Dead paper response
DT Dull tagging
EMB Embedded tagging
FBP Fluorescent high bright tagging - use long wave (LW) UV light
HBP High bright paper
LHB Low-high bright paper
LUT Luminescent tagging
LW Long wave (LW) UV light filter
MHB Medium-high bright paper
OT Overall tagging - brighter tagging and dead paper
PH Pre-phosphorated - dull tag, LHB, MHB, or HB paper response
SUR Surface Tagging
SW Short wave (SW) UV light filter
UV Ultraviolet (fluorescent lamp)
WR White response
YR Yellow response


Perforation
Abbreviation Definition
EL Line perforation
H Bullseye perforation
P- Perforation spacing - P-11 = perforated 11x11, P-11x10.5 = perforated 11x10.5


Printing Style
Abbreviation Definition
DK Dark shade color
DP Dry printing
FLAT Flat printing
LT Light shade color
WP Wet printing


U.S. Stamp Printers
Abbreviation Definition
ABN American Bank Notes
APU Ashton Potter
AVR Avery Dennison
BEP Bureau of Engraving and Printing
BCA Banknote Corp. of America
KCS KCS Industries
SVS Stamp Venturers


Miscellaneous
Abbreviation Definition
CAT (Scott) catalog number
CV Catalog value
N/A Not currently available
OS Otherwise started
POR Price on request
WNT Wanted to purchase
* Unused mint

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Last updated: April 12, 2007