What Does "Mint Condition" Mean Anyway?

[Marbleized]

I just got some awesome info from "Vrons" (thank you) about purchasing marbles and how condition is important in order for a marble to hold and grow in value.  It also sounds like, no matter how objective collectors try to be, "mint" has different meaning to different collectors.  So another question comes to mind. Is a marble "mint" if it has production flaws like weird seam lines and small pin holes?  Just wondering what the general consensus is about this and if I should just avoid these "mint" marbles listed online, from an investment point of view. Thank you!

[I'llhavethat1]

It might be best to first ask yourself if you're in it for the investment or simply enjoying marbles.  It can be both, but quality marbles from a trusted seller at a show or online is generally your best bet. A pin hole, cold roll, blow out etc. etc. heck, even a bad pattern is a subjective and can change the value significantly

 

 

[Marbleized]

I guess every buyer looks for different things.  I always think it is so interesting to see how creative some sellers can be.  Kind of like how someone said, "Hey, that looks like a turkey head!"  Now everyone seeks them out.

[Chuck G]

Here is some thoughts after 46 years of collecting.  Collect what (you like), first off. Then decide what condition you want. Each person desires (different) conditions. Set your goals in collecting as close to near mint to MINT, (BUT) some examples that are on the upper scale of (being rarer), a lot more difficult to acquire in that better condition.  Do not get me wrong, (yes) i have marbles that are in the near mint minus, however knowing they may be a lot rarer, i save them till i can acquire a better example. Save what you like no matter what condition until you seek and find a better example. It is all in your decision making to what grade in collecting. It is (your) collection and no matter what condition your examples are, guess what? it sparks more interest to others as we all share this wonderful hobby. Very good friends in this hobby.

 Now for a touch to the (investment) part of this hobby. The value will (always) vary in condition, the better the more money returns when selling later on. Top collectors always look for near mint plus as they have no problem in purchasing them for most part. All values in this specific marble hobby is dictated by (all of us) collectors. Information on a rare marble spreads thru the community very fast, is it rare or is it not, then for most part a set price is on the example. If the condition is less the less it may sell for. Low grade and low condition, means less, step up to mid grade, a percentage more, then near mint to mint, top dollar returns. With this hobby, i have been blessed so much, not for the (neat examples) but most of all the (GREAT FRIENDSHIPS) i have shared my life with, wonderful people. Chuck G---

 

[Marbleized]

Thanks for sharing! In my dream my hubby hands me a mint condition Vitro aquamarine... but I can’t complain because even though he is not into my hobby, he puts up with my growing collection that touches each corner of our abode.  Besides, he’d probably get a beach ball cat eye because it looks so stereotypically cool for a marble.  Haha!

[wvrons]

Online listed conditions vary greatly and some are totally inaccurate. Like what is mint+ ????  How do you get better than mint. Mint is from 9.0 to 10.0.    What is mint+ 12.0 ?  Plus there are very few, very few 10.0 marbles.  I have seen marbles with fractures listed as mint. You can find some on ebay now with fractures listed as mint. Enlarge the pictures and you have to judge yourself. Plus you learn by experience who are honest sellers and who are not.  RARE and there are 20 of them listed from $5.00 to $100.00. They are not to rare.  WOW, FANTASTIC, SUPER, AMAZING, BEAUTIFUL, TURKEY HEAD, EXPIERMENTAL, and others all mean nothing. Be careful with color numbers. Most listings are totally wrong on numbers of colors. Listed as seven colors and there were only two added to make it. Plus some sellers on line has to be color blind. Many times the picture will look better than the marble does in hand, because of the lighting and macro picture.  A piece of metal the size of a straight pin head, in a marble, zoomed to 10X in a picture, will look large and easy to see, ten times bigger, until you have it in hand.  I would not stay away from mint listed marbles any more than nm listed marbles. You be the judge, not the seller. I view more mint than nm listings. I want the marble to be nm+ or mint,  I don't want a Peltier Green Lantern with two big chips and a fracture, even if it is only $20.00.  When a mint one is $2000.00 The damaged one will always be a problem to sell or get your money from it.  Buy what you like, buy the best quality you can afford. But know what you are buying. 

[Marbleized]

Wow, thanks! Lots of great information!  I’ve actually seen a mint+ on eBay and thought that it was an error.  I’ve also noticed that  the rating scale might change over time for some sellers.  A subjective thing. The best advice is, as you say, you have to judge for yourself. Thanks again!