What is PQ to you?

Shamika · January 2, 2004 11:39AM

I know that PQ is one of the most overused adjectives in todays coin market. But what, in your opion, makes a coin PQ.

Your answer can be series dependant.

fcloud · January 2, 2004 11:44AM

PQ is what I can't afford!

nwcs · January 2, 2004 11:46AM

I know a lot of people use and misuse the term, but I don't really think in those terms for the most part when I buy a coin. I think in terms of just how attractive it is first, then grade second. But if I'm comparing two coins that grade roughly the same, I'd call the one with more luster or eye appeal the pq one.

Pushkin · January 2, 2004 11:47AM

<< What is PQ to you? >>

An additional 25% - 50% on the price of a coin I really want.

PQ should be exceptional for the grade, whatever that means.

All the coins I sell are PQ.

For me is it a marketing ploy used by some dealers that I try (with difficulty) to ignore.

Fairlaneman · January 2, 2004 11:55AM

A coin that just has "The Look" whether its PO-1 or MS67.

Ken

fountainheadgold · January 2, 2004 11:58AM

Outstanding EYE appeal

Lakesammman · January 2, 2004 12:01PM

It's a coin that should be the next grade up but PCGS can't afford the liability

Fairlaneman · January 2, 2004 12:05PM

<< It's a coin that should be the next grade up but PCGS can't afford the liability

>>

two or three of these

for that comment..........

Ken

Russ · January 2, 2004 12:06PM

To relate it to what I like to collect the most, PQ would be a function of eye appeal and, for me, this is degree of cameo contrast. For example, I own three Accented Hairs graded PR67CAM. I consider only one of them PQ because the first, second and last impression is that it should be in a deep cameo holder.

I own five graded PR66CAM. I consider two of those PQ, again because of strong contrast well above the average cameo coin.

For my brilliants, (of which I own many), the PQ ones are those that have some degree of contrast and very deep mirrors.

In the business strikes, PQ is a coin with blazing luster and eye crossing cartwheel.

Russ, NCNE

BillJones · January 2, 2004 12:09PM

To me it means a coin that is much better than average for its grade. Great eye apeal for that description is a MUST.

In some cases it might mean a coin that is a crack out candidate for the next higher grade.

mdwoods · January 2, 2004 12:14PM

PQ, Premium Quality. I would say a PQ coin is one that is premium quality for the assigned grade. I saw a couple MS64FBL Franklins today that were blast white and I felt they were PQ.

Jamericon · January 2, 2004 12:16PM

PQ=Great Eye Appeal, simple as that.

Shamika · January 2, 2004 12:25PM

I'm seeing that undefinable phrase "eye appeal" being used again. I'd like to see more specifics.

For instance, my specialty is Buffalo Nickels. For me, a Buffalo that has attractive color (blue, green, orange) and great luster qualifies as PQ. I should say something about strike since it's so important with Buffalos, but my own tastes eliminate strike as a PQ variable.

By the way, fingerprints and/or large spots will, in my book, immediately eliminate a coin from a PQ consideration REGARDLESS OF OTHER QUALITIES.

XpipedreamR · January 2, 2004 1:18PM

To me PQ is an indefinite quality that is unrelated to grade. In every grade, there are coins that just reach out and grab you by the (pick our body part).

It's like someone said about pornography... I can't define it, but I know it when I see it

AmericanSilverEagleCoins · January 2, 2004 1:55PM

Who decides it's PQ? You? Seller? A consensus of dealers?

michael · January 2, 2004 2:11PM

this

jdimmick · January 2, 2004 4:13PM

I define the term "PQ" to mean exceptional eye-appeal which can vary slightly depending on the viewer.
To me"PQ" does not necessarily mean a near miss next grade level coin, that means solid or strong for grade.

I see many coins that are solid for the grade and near misses to the next level, but would not consider them PQ. and I have seen many coins that are dead on for the grade, but have that PQ appeal.

stman · January 2, 2004 5:28PM

PQ to me is when a seller tells me it's PQ high end for the grade the best they have ever seen. Even if it is low end for the grade, and ugly, I know it must be PQ because they said it is, and I don't know anything as a collector.

Sorry couldn't resist this one.

hookedoncoins · January 2, 2004 6:23PM

It is the look that makes a coin look perfect despite the grade. I have VF coins that I would argue are perfect despite the ware (nothing distracting, outstanding eye appeal, etc).

-Jarrett Roberts

clackamas · January 2, 2004 7:17PM

PQ = The coin that graded 66 and could have gone 67. That .01 of a point and a BIG jump in $ if it had just..only... may have... you get it.

nankraut · January 2, 2004 11:04PM

PQ: is my bride of 46+ years, because she loves coins AND she loves me. So, by staying with my original partner, I've saved enough money over the years to buy lots of coins. (I apologize for bragging--couldn't help it)

razorface1027 · January 3, 2004 12:39AM

PQ is what I can't afford

I agree with fcloud

RGL · January 3, 2004 1:02AM

PQ coins are those that elicit: "Whoa, what is this doing in a 63/64/65/66 holder?" or "How did this miss being graded CAM/DCAM?" These are coins that stand an excellent chance of being upgraded upon resubmission or crackout; a coin that makes your mouth fall open; one that displays better mirrors and strike, less ticks, etc. than most coins in the grade ...

Wondo · January 3, 2004 2:32AM

PQ is an "it" coin - super eye appeal. If a coin, regardless of the technical grade has is eye catching that's PQ for that technical grade.

Wasn't there an "it" girl? C'mon ,oldtimers, help me out.

edited to clarify

Fairlaneman · January 3, 2004 2:40AM

Wasn't it "That Girl". A picture is in the mind but the name has vanished.

razorface1027 · January 3, 2004 2:44AM

Wasn't it "That Girl". A picture is in the mind but the name has vanished

Oh cripes...Marlo Thomas..

Remember that show?

roadrunner · January 3, 2004 2:47AM

A slabbed PQ coin looks more like the next grade than the holder it is currently residing in. It has potential to make the next grade. Whether it does or not is a matter of luck, skill, chance, and who you know. That's PQ. If it has no shot of ever making the next grade, then I can't call it PQ. I don't care if it has great eye appeal or not.
More than likely the coin will make the next grade. Anyone coin of lesser quality, may be the nice for the grade or what I call "solid."
Occasionally, even solid coins make their way into the next grade.

Regardless of what is PQ or solid. One cannot transform that into numbers that everyone agrees on. So with that, PQ is a constantly moving target, but said coin always has a shot to upgrade. Sometimes very very slim (100:1), but a shot. Sometimes you didn't realize the coin was PQ until it ended up in the higher grade

roadrunner

Fairlaneman · January 3, 2004 2:49AM

Thanks razor. Can't believe I forgot her name. I always thought she was a Looker that had "The Look" ..

PQ

Ken

Wondo · January 3, 2004 2:49AM

That girl was the 1960's - the IT girl was earlier; before I was alive!

clw54 · January 3, 2004 2:53AM

PQ is an indication of how discerning a dealer is when buying inventory. Some dealers write PQ, Choice BU, or Gem BU on 90% of the cardboard flips holding their coins. They must be buying only the best.

clw54 · January 3, 2004 2:55AM

<< A slabbed PQ coin looks more like the next grade than the holder it is currently residing in. It has potential to make the next grade. Whether it does or not is a matter of luck, skill, chance, and who you know. That's PQ. If it has no shot of ever making the next grade, then I can't call it PQ. I don't care if it has great eye appeal or not.
More than likely the coin will make the next grade. Anyone coin of lesser quality, may be the nice for the grade or what I call "solid."
Occasionally, even solid coins make their way into the next grade.

Regardless of what is PQ or solid. One cannot transform that into numbers that everyone agrees on. So with that, PQ is a constantly moving target, but said coin always has a shot to upgrade. Sometimes very very slim (100:1), but a shot. Sometimes you didn't realize the coin was PQ until it ended up in the higher grade

roadrunner >>

Then if the coin gets upgraded, it should be considered LQ. It was really a slider that barely made it to the next level.

LAWMAN · January 3, 2004 3:07AM

Is "PQ"the same as NGC's star designation?

If not, how do they differ?

Is this just an amorphous attempt to break the 70 point grading system down into micro-points?

Does PQ differ by series? If so, somebody needs to write a book like the Official ANA Grading Standards for US Coins going series by series and explaining what PQ means.

Can a coin be AG PQ? How about G PQ?

mintluster · January 3, 2004 3:50AM

<< Is "PQ"the same as NGC's star designation? >>

NO

If not, how do they differ? >>

Some STAR designated coins look super, and some look like they barely made the grade.

Is this just an amorphous attempt to break the 70 point grading system down into micro-points? >>

In a way, Yes.

Does PQ differ by series? If so, somebody needs to write a book like the Official ANA Grading Standards for US Coins going series by series and explaining what PQ means. >>

Will never happen because it means so many different things to so many different people (like with everything else in the coin world)

Can a coin be AG PQ? How about G PQ? >>

I say No but I guess you could argue their is a AU-50 PQ which means upper-end for the grade, possibly undergraded. Again, different people will tell you their views on that, especially around here.
Hope this helps.

mintluster · January 3, 2004 3:51AM

<< Is "PQ"the same as NGC's star designation? >>

NO

>>

If not, how do they differ? >>

Some STAR designated coins look super, and some look like they barely made the grade.

>>

Is this just an amorphous attempt to break the 70 point grading system down into micro-points? >>

In a way, Yes.

>>

Does PQ differ by series? If so, somebody needs to write a book like the Official ANA Grading Standards for US Coins going series by series and explaining what PQ means. >>

Will never happen because it means so many different things to so many different people (like with everything else in the coin world)

>>

Can a coin be AG PQ? How about G PQ? >>

I say No but I guess you could argue their is a AU-50 PQ which means upper-end for the grade, possibly undergraded. Again, different people will tell you their views on that, especially around here.
Hope this helps.

mintluster · January 3, 2004 3:54AM

<< Is "PQ"the same as NGC's star designation?

<< this is a test

<< If not, how do they differ?

<< test

<< Is this just an amorphous attempt to break the 70 point grading system down into micro-points?

<< test

<< Does PQ differ by series? If so, somebody needs to write a book like the Official ANA Grading Standards for US Coins going series by series and explaining what PQ means.

<< test

<< Can a coin be AG PQ? How about G PQ? >>

test

Sorry for the multiple posts guys, I needed to try this to see if I can stop messing it up.

Baley · January 3, 2004 4:08AM

to me, the term "PQ" has 2 meanings:

the first is the marketing ploy, where a dealer describes every single one of his coins as "premium quality". The term quickly loses any meaning. L@@K!

the second, real, original meaning of "PQ" means the coin is nice for the grade/price it is being represented/offered at, whether slabbed or raw. The SAME coin is no longer PQ if it upgrades or is priced at a higher grade than it really is.

For example, this is a PQ coin as an AU58:

Crack it out, resubmit it and get it graded MS63 and offer it priced as such, it is no longer PQ, just "OK for the grade"

jom · January 3, 2004 4:51AM

The use of the term PQ is over-used but the general use of the term means, to me, that:

The "Grade" of the coin does not necessarily mean the same as the "Quality" of the coin.

jom

What is PQ to you?

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