Numismatist terms and acronyms

Interesting terms and acronyms 

PMG: Paper Money Grading. PMG is an internationally known and respected currency grading company. They have been grading currency notes since 2005. Each graded note is evaluated by a team of grading professionals and assigned a final grade. At that time, the note is placed into a flexible yet semi-rigied plastic holder and heat sealed. 

EPQ: EPQ - Exceptional Paper Quality - is an acronym used by PMG grading for currency notes in their original state. Here is a message from their site: Original means  “that a note has not been physically, chemically, or materially processed to lend the appearance of a higher grade. PMG graders examine the embossing, inks, and overall integrity of each note to make the determination whether it will qualify for EPQ. Notes exhibiting normal wear-and-tear for their respective grades are eligible; normal wear may include factors affecting grade such as counting marks and folds. Notes receiving the EPQ designation must furthermore be unrestored. A note receiving the EPQ designation will have the letters ‘EPQ’ appearing to the right of the grade on the PMG label.”

PCGS: Professional Coin Grading Service. PCGS is an internationally known and respected currency and coin grading company. Since 1985, their expert graders have been Determining the physical condition of a coin or note is critical to the determination of its value. This determination is called ‘grading.’ Once a grade has been determined, the note or coin is heat sealed into a tamper evident plastic holder. 

PPQ: Premium Paper Quality. PPQ is an acronym used by PCGS grading. Here is a note from their site: To distinguish notes that bear all the hallmarks of complete originality and outstanding paper quality for the grade, we will affix a “PPQ” (Premium Paper Quality) designation to the grade (e.g.: “Gem New 65PPQ”). These are notes that bear no visible evidence of restoration and that retain all signs of fully original paper quality, such as paper wave, embossing, and bold ink color and eye appeal. “PPQ” notes should also have above average paper for the grade that is free of defects such as tears, pinholes, or other problems. This system is designed to reward those notes, both circulated and New, that possess premium paper quality and complete originality. 

Mule:

For currency items, the "mule" refers to a designation in conjunction with the Fredberg number which ends with "m". Mule actually is where one currency item has the front and reverse from two different currency issues; thus, a mule note is a bank note made using back plates from a different series of notes. Most have different size plate numbers (front versus back).

Grading numbers from 1 to 70: 70 – Finest; 1 lowest

Pop: Pop is the population or census number of a particular coin or currency item, in that particular grade. The higher the grade combined with the lower population, the more rare and more valuable it is.

UNC: Uncirculated:  This designation refers to a note or coin that has not been circulated. 


Very Fine. A VF grade on a note or coin corresponds to assigned grades of 20-35. It refers to the amount of detail embedded into the item. 

Extremely Fine. An EF grade on a note or coin corresponds to assigned grades ot 40-45. An XF item will show light wear on only the most raised points and can often show mint produced shine. 
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Proudly, Treasuredstocks.com has excellent examples of GRADED Currency notes -- US and Foreign.  Call us at 870-670-4255 or email jeff@treasuredstocks.com  for help and support, as you venture into Currency Note Set collection. 

For more information about this and other collectable coins and currency, please visit our web site at http://www.treasuredstocks.com/or email  jeff@treasuredstocks.com

 

Treasuredstocks President is in the News!

Jeff Smith of Treasuredstocks.com wins

2016 Currency Collection Awards

As investors show concern about recent political uncertainty, they are turning to currency dealers like Jeff Smith of Treasured Stocks.com  to help them invest in historical coins and currency such as Military Payment Certificates (MPCs), foreign currency, and Colonial Notes. 

Besides the enjoyment of preserving history, hundreds of numismatists like Smith believe their financial investments in coins and currency are secure, even during economic and political confusion. 

Jeff Smith, left, with Laura A. Kessler (center), Vice President PCGS Currency

Smith agrees that one great way to learn about history and military conflicts is through currency and certificates. However, before making any purchase, he recommends learning everything 
you can about the dealer as well as the coin or collection you want. That’s where Treasuredstocks.com comes in. “We want our customers to admire the beauty and history of the note, as much as the value. We are in the business of honoring and preserving that history,” Smith proclaimed. 

Having recently won the 2016 Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) “Best of the Registry” award for the MPC  “Stars and Stripes Collection,” Jeff Smith, President of Treasuredstocks.com, knows a great deal about building coin and currency collections. 

A military veteran of the US Navy, Smith’s “US Military Payment Certificates (MPCs) are some of most artistic pieces of currency ever printed. A set such as this is the epitome for the true military collector. This entire set is remarkable and an impressive accomplishment,” wrote the Set Registry Managers from PCGS.

Numismatists world-wide are finding both joy and financial reward while building coin and paper money collections. “I’m finding more and more of my customers are calling me and asking me how they can start investing in currency collections,” explained Jeff Smith, Company President. “I spend hours on the phone educating new and even experienced enthusiasts as to the best currency and coin investments to make.”

“These coins and notes are living treasures,” reports Smith. “I look at these notes and see not only the financial impact they made but the political and social environments surrounding them.” Some of Smith’s favorite notes have been those with true historical significance. 

Understanding the history of each item is an important value consideration. So too is its condition. “One fold on a piece of currency will likely drop its value in half. Building collections is also important,” Smith continued. “Investors may be willing to bid higher for an item they need to complete a collection, as well as one that is extremely rare.”

Treasured stocks.com was founded in 1987 to provide currency and coin enthusiasts and investors with a wide choice of items. The company offers a wide range of national and international coins and currency for the value conscious currency enthusiast.

Graded coins and currency items are trustworthy and highly collectible.

Why purchase a GRADED note or coin?

Everyday, interested sellers and collectors call us here at Treasuredstocks.com and ask the "what's it worth" question. They have found a note tucked away in their relative's estate or a yard sale junk box and want to know what the item might be worth to me or to other collectors.  

When I ask them if the note has been folded or torn or if it has certain other defects, I often hear, "Oh I missed that"  and "does a little corner tear really  matter?"

One of the most important reasons  you should insist on having a coin or note graded, is to avoid the risk of purchasing a counterfeit copy. I know a dealer who paid several thousand dollars for a note and sent it in to be graded only  to find out that is was a worthless counterfeit! That is why dealers and collectors are willing to pay more for graded currency and coins. 

A second, perhaps equally important reason in favor of grading is to assure clear understanding and easy communication. A graded note will "translate" perfectly between and among all interested collectors, buyers and sellers. Furthermore, grading allows years of auction data to be adequately analyzed so that value can be assessed. For me, speaking with someone about an ungraded note is always speculative; speaking to someone about a note that is officially graded is clear and specific.

Consider this: If the person selling the note or coin really has a valuable product, why hasn't he or she had it graded?  Two reasons are plausible: Either there is something wrong with the note or he is unaware of established guidelines and grading benefits.

When trying to purchase an ungraded note or coin, beware of red flag statements like "though it's not graded, the note/coin looks perfect."  One of my favorites that I have heard several times is, "It used to be folded, but it isn't any more." or "the condition  is pristine, I pressed it with my iron this morning."

"But who should grade my coin or note?" you ask  


Treasuredstocks.com is an official dealer of coins and currency with the two major international grading firms: PCGS and PMG. If you stay with either organization (PCGS /PMG), you will receive the most resale value for your item(s).  

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For more information about this and other collectable coins and currency, please visit our web site at  http://www.treasuredstocks.com/or email  jeff@treasuredstocks.com