Toggle Nav

Why PQ?

What Determines a PQ Approved Coin?

We want both Collectors and Dealers to be aware of our strict grading standards. To that end, we are happy to provide the following detailed explanations of the 8 PQ Approved points required for a coin to be awarded the PQ emblem. We encourage you to review them and learn why you will feel confident in buying, and proud to own, PQ Approved coins!

  1. Only PCGS, NGC, and CACG Certified Coins!
    PQ Approved only reviews coins in either PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service) or NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Corporation) holders. These two companies grade approximately 90% of all Certified coins in the United States and are arguably the most respected and trusted Professional Grading Services in the industry, while being actively traded on coin exchanges and through major auction houses worldwide!
  2. No Major Mint Defects!
    The two major grading services do an excellent job of authenticating and grading rare coins. However, mint defects such as strike-throughs, planchet flaws, pronounced die-breaks and other issues often create a problem. These defects can greatly reduce the overall eye-appeal of coins and even though the technical grade may be high, the appearance may be less than desirable. Further, when it comes time to sell, these detractions suddenly become important to the prospective buyer and ultimately can reduce the value, regardless of the certified grade. With PQ approved coins, you can rest assured that your coin will be free of unsightly mint defects.
  3. Excellent Strike!
    We have decades of experience reviewing and grading tens of thousands of coins. As such, we have developed a strong understanding of how a coin should be struck and how strikes vary from year-to-year and mint-to-mint. The PQ Approved sticker lets you know the coin has an above-average strike!
  4. Great Mint Luster!
    Ever wondered if a coin still has its original shine, or if the reflection is better than a typical coin from that same mintage? You’ll be happy to know that all PQ coins have passed our PQ Approved Mint Luster Standards. Each coin is individually reviewed and compared to similar coins from the same mintage to make sure all PQ coins have a shine you can be proud of!
  5. No Major Copper Spots or Carbon Spots!
    Two of the most common problems that occur on coins over time are the appearance of carbon spots and where gold coins are concerned, copper spotting. Sometimes these appear a short time after leaving the mint and others take decades to crop up. The bottom line is that while these can be indicators of “originality”, they are most often seen as detractions and reduce eye appeal. To elaborate, all traditional (and some modern) U.S. coins are made with a blend of metals in order to add durability. Gold and silver are “softer” metals and in the manufacturing of blanks (planchets) a mixture of 10% copper is added. The process includes melting, mixing and rolling out the metal before the blanks are punched out. Often this process is not precise and the two metals are not properly mixed creating invisible pockets of copper. In the case of gold, these show up as copper spots (red blotches) as a result of copper oxidation over time. Carbon spots on all coins are also a result of poor mixture of the metal, but can also be a result of impurities that get trapped at any point in the manufacturing process. In the case of copper or nickel coins, which are much more volatile metals than gold or silver, these spots can be pronounced and frequently appear as pock-like black bumps on the surface. Further, these can “grow” over time and actually destroy the surface integrity of the coin and result in permanent damage. Both types of spotting are seen as detractions and some can be outright ugly, thus lowering the coin’s desirability and ultimately its liquidity, if not its value. You can be assured that all PQ Approved coins are free of any major copper or carbon spots!
  6. Above Average for the Grade!
    With 50+ years of experience looking at literally hundreds of millions of dollars worth of rare coins, we know when a coin is merely average or below average for the grade. We also know when a coin is above average for the grade. When a coin passes our PQ Approved process and is awarded the PQ sticker you can rest assured that a seasoned expert numismatist has confirmed that your PQ Approved coin is high-end (above average) for the grade!
  7. Untoned or Attractively Toned Only!
    Toning can be a thing of beauty, as many silver collectors/investors are well aware. However, it is not uncommon for a silver coin to chemically mix with the lining of the original mint bag it was placed in. This chemical mixture can give the coin a beautiful toned color or even a rainbow of colors. However, toning can often times hurt a coin, too. Minor cases of bad or ugly toning can detract from a coins appearance and even lower its value. Additionally, major cases of toning – especially dark toning – can sometimes hide problems on a coin not easily scene by the untrained eye. For this reason we are always on the lookout for not just ugly toning, but for any underlying issues that the toning may be concealing as well. This is why all PQ Approved coins are free of Ugly Toning!
  8. Great Eye Appeal!
    To find a coin with great eye appeal, you need to have all of the above attributes. In addition, there are other less common issues that can hurt the overall eye appeal of a coin. PQ Approved wants you to know that if we see any issues that impair the overall appearance, we will not approve it, even though the technical grade may be accurate. Only coins with exceptional eye appeal are awarded the gold PQ Approved sticker. It’s our goal to ensure that every PQ Approved coin is truly a thing of beauty!