Mint – brand new condition. No defect, initials or engravings. May have price stickers. Never filled with ink. Original packaging helps and is a must for limited edition pens.
Near Mint – Metal or overlay pens may have professional engravings if they are attractive and not too bold—not acceptable on plastic. May have been filled with ink. No perceptible wear. Limited edition pens must not have personal engravings.
Excellent – Little sign of wear, except some smoothing of edges, engravings and chasing patterns. Color not as bright as “Mint” and may have very slight discoloration. Collectors demand that newer limited editions be in better condition than older pens.
Good – Minor wear such as slight “brassing” and small surface scratches. Colors may be slightly darkened or oxidized. All parts must be original or have equal quality replacements. Plastic pens may have professional engravings if they are attractive and not too bold.
Fair – Moderate brassing, faded color, surface wear and diminishing imprints. Attractive when polished and stored in a display case. Does not need to be functional.
Poor – Serious discoloration, brassing, cracks, scratches, dents or missing parts. If a pen has any of these, it resides in this category. Good for use as “parts” only.