U.S. and world banknotes exhibiting exceptional eye appeal will begin to receive a Star (★) designation, Paper Money Guaranty (PMG) announced Monday, June 9, 2014.
PMG, a third-party paper money grading and encapsulation service, will start using the designation at the Memphis International Paper Money show held June 12 to 15.
"There has been growing demand among collectors and dealers for PMG to impartially evaluate eye appeal and designate notes that are superior in that regard," says Bruce Thornton, PMG Finalizer. "After careful study, we have established criteria that we believe will make the PMG Star Designation the industry standard for exceptional eye appeal."
PGM said banknotes will receive the special label if they show:
- strong plate and/or overprint embossing,
- vibrant ink color, and
- pristine paper quality exceeding the well-established standards used to determine the Exceptional Paper Quality (EPQ) Designation
Money collectors can resubmit notes already graded to see if they qualify for the new designation. The review fee is:
- $15 for notes valued under $3,000,
- $30 for notes valued $3,000 to $10,000, and
- the regular grading fee for notes valued above $10,000
To submit PMG-certified notes for reconsideration for the Star Designation, write "Designation Review" at the top of the PMG Submission Form.
The Star (★) Designation was introduced in 2000 by Numismatic Guaranty Corporation, an affiliate of PMG, to recognize superior eye appeal on coins.
Oh, be still, my heart! Something already graded, for an exorbitant fee, now is eligible to re-graded, for an additional fee, to see if the Treasury mixed the ink, correctly, used more than the normal pressure to emboss the design and if the “grader” can actually “see” it. What a scam! What’s next? MS-70 DCAM upgraded to MS-70 DCAM Wow-1-10? Oh, don’t forget the extra fee! By the way, I’ve never seen a note, above 66FPQ. Even the notes which come from the Mint as a companion to a coin, specially printed, which should be the finest ever made, I’ve… Read more »
I will pass as well.. A big G-I-M-M-I-C….
Is Gem 66 the best grade you can get ?I already have the Exact one pictured with the exact same Grade !!! Not worth the extra $15.00 just for the Star!!
I would offer you $100 for it if you pay the shipping.
Sounds like a deal Boz…