This GUIDE explains next 41 ( L - Z) ABBREVIATIONS that you will find when you view EBAY auction lots which relate to the Philatelic Section under the EBAY CATEGORY "STAMPS"

Why are abbreviations used?

• Since eBay auction titles and sub-titles allow a maximum of 55 characters in the auction title.
• since SELLERS want to provide you with as much information in that small space
• since SELLERS know that BIDDERS will be searching by using specific letters/numbers
• also partly because it has become a part of the PHILATELIC language

What you should also know:

• that this complements my previous A - K list of ABBREVIATIONS
• that this list does not include all the abbreviations that are used
• that knowing, that you have this list, will help you understand better what SELLERS are trying to say in their offerings.
• that understanding what terms mean, will allow you to become a more effective BIDDER.
• that this may also make you a better SELLER.
• that this list will be expanded upon at a later date, as other abbreviations are found.
• that sometimes SELLERS misuse the abbreviations or misunderstand the terms themselves
• so as always, it is true that " BUYER BEWARE".

ABBREVIATIONS  (L - Z) ARE LISTED APLPHABETICALLY: (numbers, if any, are listed at the bottom)

1. LH (Lightly Hinged) See note below under LM or VLH.
2. LM (Lightly Mounted) This is another way of saying that the stamp is Very Lightly Hinged and has no hinge attached. You can see where the hinge was previously applied, albeit lightly.
3. M (Mint) - This refers to a stamp that is unused with original gum, but one that has been hinged previously.
4. MNH (mint not hinged) This refers to the stamp and indicates that the stamp has never had a stamp hinged attached to it and is in Post Office pristine condition.
5. M/S (Miniature sheet) This refers to a sheetlet which usually has extra selvage which shows the event that the issue commemorates. (see also S/S)
6. NG (no gum) This refers to a stamp that is unused and does carry a postmark cancellation but it has no gum. That may have occurred when the stamp was removed from the envelope and is mostly found on stamps from the 19th Century. Although recent issues abound.
7. NH (Not Hinged) This refers to the stamp having its original gum and being without hinge trace.
8. NO RES (No Reserve) On eBay this refers to the fact that the SELLER has not placed a hidden reserve and that if you bid at the starting price and you are the only bidder, then you will buy that item at that same starting price.
9. NO REV (No Reserve) see above
10. NR (No Reserve) see above
11. O (when found before a number) This refers to the Scott Catalogue numbering system used in the United States which lists OFFICIAL governement issues (see also BOB)
12. ODDS and ENDS - This is an abbreviation to tell you that this auction lot has various and possibly interesting items for sale. You will find a clearer explanation in the description of each particular auction lot. ( see also BOB).
13. OHMS (On His Majesty's Service) This refers to mail which was sent by the governments and can be found on OFFICIAL issues of Canada as overprints and perfins, but most Commonwealth Countries (BC) also had similar notations.
14. OG (Original Gum) This refers to the fact that the stamp carries the gum that was applied when the stamps was originally printed. The SELLER uses this fact, to entice you to BID. Usually OG appears in auction lots which have 19th Century stamps.
15. OS (Official Service) This refers to the overprints and/or PERFINS that were applied to stamps that were used for official mail in Australia.
16. PB (Plate Block) This refers to usually a block of 4 stamps from the corner of the stamp sheet and usually carries some kind of printer's notation. This is quite sought after by certain collectors.
17. PERF ( Perforation) This refers to the perforation on the stamp.
18. PERFIN - This refers to stamps that have symbols/numbers/letters perforated through them. You will find them on older issues of Ceylon, Germany, Great Britain, Canada, Australia and United States. There are private and official perfins that can be collected.
19. SA ( Government of South Australia) these letters appear on regular stamps as overprints or perfins for mail that was officially sent by that STATE government. ( see also G NSW, T, VG, WA)
20. SAS (Sassione Specialized Italy Postage Stamp Catalogue) This is the Standard catalogue that is used in ITALY to value postage stamps. You will see this primarily on expensive Italian stamps being offered for sale, since that particular catalogue value listed will be higher than any other catalogue (usually).
21. SC (Scott Catalogue) This refers to the SCOTTS CATALOGUE that is used in the United States to value stamps and it is updated annually to reflect market movements in prices.
22. SCOTT (Scott Catalogue) see above.
23. SCV (Scott Catalgue Value) This refers to the listed catalogue value ( see above).
24. SE (Straight Edge) This refers to the stamp that has one side with no perforations and can be found on old United States stamps. These stamps are from the edge of the printed sheet of stamps. These stamps usually sell for much much less than the listed CV. Nowadays, you'll find that straight edges (SE) are found in many booklets; especially those found, here in Australia.
25. SE-TENANT - This (term ) abbreviation refers to two different value stamps which are issued side-by-side. In postally used condition, they are much rarer than if they were separated. An example of this would be the UNITED STATES issue if 50 State Flags and 50 State Birds.
26. SG (Stanley Gibbon Catalogue) This refers to the Standard catalogue that is used in Great Britain and Commonwealth countries to value stamps. It is updated annually.
27. S/S (Souvenir sheet) this refers to a commemorative issue with a great deal of selvage. See M/S
28. STRIP - this abbreviation/notation refers to stamps that are attached in a row or column.
29. T (Government of Tasmania, Australia) - This letter appears as a PERFIN on stamps that were used officially by that STATE Government.  (see WA, SA, G NSW, VG)
30. U (Used) This denotes stamps that have been postally used.
31. U ( when placed before a number) This refers to the Scott Catalogue value numbering system used in the United States which lists CUT SQUARES ( see also BOB)
32. UK ( United Kingdom) This refers to stamps issued by Great Britain. See also GB.
33. U/M (Unmounted Mint) This refers to stamps that are MNH ( see above).
34. UNUSED - this is an abbreviation that refers to the fact that the stamp does not carry a cancellation but it may also refer to the fact that the stamp has no gum. (see above NG)
35. USPS (United States Postal service) This refers to the postal authority that runs the POST in the USA.
36. VF (Very Fine) This refers to the SELLER's suggested grading for the stamp that he is selling.
37. VFU (Very Fine Used) see previous notation
38. VG (Very Lightly Hinged) This refers to a mint stamp that was formerly hinged. see LM
39. WA (Government of Western Australia) - This refers to stamps which carries a PERFIN with "W" above the "A" and was used by that STATE Government for official mail. ( see also G NSW, SA, VG, T)
40. XF (Extra Fine) This is used by the SELLER to state the condition of the stamp being sold.
41. XFU (Extra Fine Used) see previous notation.
42. YT (Yves Tellier Vatalogue) This refers to the Standard catalogue that is used in France  and French Colonies to value the stamps in EUROS.

Why not check out my other ABBREVIATION GUIDE  FOR STAMPS : (A - K)