Where does the expression "mint condition" come from?

Question

I know the meaning of it, but I'd like to know where it comes from

thanks!

Answer 1

I think 'condition' was added by way of clarification.  See the last line below:

mint (2)  

"place where money is coined," O.E. mynit "coin," from W.Gmc. *munita, from L. moneta "mint" (cf. O.Fris. menote, M.Du. munte, Ger. münze; see money). It meant "coin" at first in Eng.; sense of "place where money is made" first recorded 1423. General sense of "a vast sum of money" is from 1655. The verb is 1546, from the noun. The adj. meaning "perfect" (like a freshly minted coin) is from 1902.

Answer 2

Mint condition is an expression used in the description of pre-owned goods. Originally, the phrase comes from the way collectors describe the condition of coins. As the name given to a coin factory is a 'mint', then mint condition is the condition a coin is in as it leaves the mint. Over time, the term "mint" began to be used to describe many different items having excellent, like-new quality.

Answer 3

It came from the way coin collectors used to describe their good coins. Since coins were made in factories called 'mints', the term mint condition came to describe coins that were brand new and just leaving the factory. Eventually, it came to describe everything that is brand new and in good quality condition.

Answer 4

Etymology

Originally, the phrase comes from the way collectors described the condition of coins coming straight from the mint (coin factory).

(idiomatic) Used, but still like new, as if freshly minted.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/mint_condi...

Mint condition is an expression used in the description of pre-owned goods. Originally, the phrase comes from the way collectors describe the condition of coins. As the name given to a coin factory is a 'mint', then mint condition is the condition a coin is in as it leaves the mint. Over time, the term "mint" began to be used to describe many different items having excellent, like-new quality.

When describing trading cards, perfect condition is used to describe the condition as it is when pulled from a pack, mint would be new but opened.

Mint condition is often used to describe a collectible item such as a model figure, doll, or toy that has never been removed from its box, or in some cases is as good as new without any scratches or other. The term is also very widely used in record collecting and comic books.

http://www.answers.com/mint%20condition