Registry Ranking System

How Sets are Ranked

The goal of the Registry is to provide a competitive but fun vehicle for both serious and beginning collectors to gain recognition for the rarity of their sets. In that regard, we've developed a ranking system that allows collectors of any experience level to participate. Following is an explanation of how sets are ranked in the Registry.

We place a value on each note that is based on the relative rarity of its type, date and grade. This value takes many factors into account such as grade, population, market value, eye appeal and expert opinion. When a set is ranked in the registry, its rank is judged based on the total of the individual scores of all the notes.

As a basic guide to our system, collectors can look to the market as an excellent method of comparing the relative rarity of one note to another. There is simply no better indicator of how much a note is desired.

There is, however, no one perfect source that accounts for all the elements needed to be considered when ranking sets in the Registry. Comparative values of notes in the market can appear distorted (especially at the top end). On the other hand the grades alone are a poor indicator of how much "finer" a note is because the grade does not reflect the rarity of a note.

Through extensive market research, we are able to provide a ranking system that recognizes the intelligence of the market, but offers a more true reflection of relative rarity than does market value, because it appropriately adjusts for market distortions.

Q:

What is the EPQ designation? Do notes bearing the EPQ designation carry more weight in the Registry?

A:

The "Exceptional Paper Quality" designation (indicated on the PMGC label with an EPQ following the grade) specifies a note that PMG's graders determined to have exceptional paper quality. PMG uses the designation Exceptional Paper Quality (EPQ) for notes that, in the opinion of PMG graders, are original. By original, we mean 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 restored note has had non-original material added to bring its appearance to a known or assumed state. A note with EPQ designation is automatically assigned a Registry point premium in order to recognize its exceptional paper quality for the grade.

What a Registry Score Means

When a set is assigned a score in the Registry, the sole purpose of that score is to provide a standard against which other sets in the Registry can be compared. A Registry score is not intended to be used, and should not be used, as a grade, certification or authentication with respect to a set or the notes in a set, nor as a basis for determining market value.

In the Event of a Tie

The Registry system will first rank by score and in the case of a tie the system will determine which set has the highest percentage of note images. If the score and percentage of images is equal between two sets, then the percentage of note descriptions will be considered. So to break it down, ranking is achieved by considering in this order:

1. Set score
2. Percentage of notes with images
3. Percentage of notes with descriptions

If all of the above items are equal between sets, then sets will be sorted by the date the SCORE was achieved (first to achieve it will appear higher), but they will have the same rank number beside their set.