What do you think of that Gus Tiso ad in CW with all of the abbreviations?

Longacre

I was taking a look at the recent issue of Coin World (the one dated December 17th). In that issue old Gus has a full page ad that lists a few hundred coins, all in the new and improved Coin World Colorized But Excessively Tiny Print™. However this ad is also riddled with abbreviations for the coins offered, using some quirky system that I don't believe has been approved by the ANA or any other authoritative body.

For example, if you're in the market for a Morgan dollar, you can either choose the 1882-S, which is listed as:

"1882-S MS-66(N) W++, A+, L+++, PQ++++"

or you can choose the 1881-S, which is listed as:

"1881-S MS67(N) W+++, A++, L++, PQ++"


As I read the advertisement, I could only think about the enormous staff that Mr. Tiso has in his office, whose sole responsiblity is to assign plus signs and other symbols to coins, and to proofread the text of his advertisements. Personally, I would rather read the Internal Revenue Code all day long, than proofread this ad to see if the correct number of plus signs where so designated. Rather than placing me in a dizzying frenzy, this ad just made me dizzy.

BAJJERFAN

I doubt that he really cares if its a 2+ or a 3+ thing. Does it say CAC++ too. I'll say one thing for him tho; he is one of the very few if not the only one that I have ever met or talked to at a show that knows how to properly pronounce my last name. BTW what does the W A and L stand for?

messydesk

Looks like malformed Geek Code.

RichieURich

I am not convinced that some dealers who label every coin they have "PQ", is really PQ.

I am puzzled by the "PQ++++". I thought "PQ" meant "Premium Quality", so what does "PQ++++" mean? It's like saying "this coin is PQ", but this other coin is really PQ". Then IMO the 1st coin IMO isn't PQ. IMO the expression "PQ" is so overused, I guess it's the dealer equivalent of "Estate" on eBay. Now will we have "PQ", "CAC PQ", "PQ+", "CAC PQ+", "PQ++", "CAC PQ++", "PQ+++", "CAC PQ+++", "PQ++++", "CAC PQ++++", etc.? If we do end up there, then the "PQ" designation is absolutely meaningless.

Suggestion: let's abandon the term "PQ".

Disclosure note: None of my coins are marked "PQ", although there are some that IMO are premium quality.

Barndog

when it all says PQ, it screams the opposite.

BAJJERFAN

Its shorter than PQ PQer PQest

Walkerguy21D

<< <i>I am not convinced that some dealers who label every coin they have "PQ", is really PQ.
>>


Like Steve Estes rating scale for his coins, where everything is a '9', or a '10', and most everything in the descriptor has the word 'gem' in it, including coins at the AU and XF grade level. I guess that means they would be MS65, if it weren't for the two years of circulation they saw

Newcomp103

I have looked at many coins on Mr. Tiso's site...and have not found one that I would consider PQ!

Mercury10c

I appreciate that he even bothers to describe the coin in terms other than just the numerical grade.
However, I did notice that evey coin he sells is PQ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++.
I think the term PQ is so overused that to me at least, it no longer has meaning.

BAJJERFAN

<< <i>I have looked at many coins on Mr. Tiso's site...and have not found one that I would consider PQ! >>



Well his pix certainly leave a lot to be desired. The few coins that I have gotten from Gus have always gotten me nice comments from other collectors.

Veep

I've bought coins from Gus and enjoy talking with him at shows. He usually has some interesting items in his case. I can't take the time to sort through his ad though, it makes me see double.

GoldenEyeNumismatics

I always pass right by it. It's an extremely annoying ad.

Geoman

when it all says PQ, it screams the opposite.

Exactly my thoughts as well.

Arizonadesertrat

<< <i>when it all says PQ, it screams the opposite.

Exactly my thoughts as well. >>



I agree. The pics (on his website) of a number of his 'PQ' Morgans aren't flattering either.

tahoe98

never cared much for screaming coins

jfoot13

maybe after seeing what he paid for that full page ad he wanted to fill it with something to feel he got his moneys worth

BigRed

I would like to see a CW add from several years ago with his add in it for comparison. It seems he has progressively gotten worse at using the PQ term.

WTCG

Whether you agree with Gus's opinions and descriptions or not, he's been using his "plusses" system for a very long time and he has substantial loyal following. Although I cannot say that I believe that all his coins are in fact PQ as described, there are always some that are.