Nearly two dozen $20 denomination notes from the infamous 1971 “D.B. Cooper” skyjacking have been certified by PCGS Currency on behalf of the owner who found them a quarter-century ago.

The bills belong to Brian Ingram, 36, of Mena, Arkansas who was eight years old in 1980 when he found the only ransom cash ever recovered from the infamous skyjacking.

“Even though the notes were damaged from apparently being in the Columbia River for years, we were able to match serial numbers with those on the FBI’s list of the $200,000 in $20 bills the skyjacker had when he jumped from the jetliner. There was even a Series 1963A star note,” said Laura A. Kessler, Vice President of PCGS Currency (www.PCGSCurrency.com) of Newport Beach, California, who headed the certification team. Read Full Story

An important new resource for paper money collectors now is available online. The extensive PCGS Currency Population Report SM, a census database of more than 80,000 notes authenticated and certified by PCGS Currency, is updated daily and is available by subscription to members of the PCGS Currency Collectors Club and PCGS Currency authorized dealers.

“This is the most comprehensive and current listing of its kind. The information is crucial for anyone who is active in today’s currency market,” said Laura A. Kessler, Vice President of PCGS Currency, a division of Collectors Universe, Inc. (NASDAQ: CLCT). “Both buyers and sellers can use this information to make more informed decisions, as the PCGS Currency Population Report will accurately reflect the relative rarity of certified notes in specific grades.” (more…)

A Fr. 230 1899 Silver Certificate graded Superb Gem New 69PPQ by PCGS Currency is being offered by Teletrade in their upcoming auction ending on Monday, December 10, 2007. Not only is this the sole Fr. 230 and the only note of the “Black Eagle” Silver Certificate design type graded by PCGS Currency as “69PPQ,” it is the first large size type note of any design to receive this grade from PCGS Currency.

“This magnificent note duly impressed every one of our graders who examined the note, and the grade of Superb Gem New 69PPQ was unanimous,” stated Jason W. Bradford, President of PCGS Currency. “The centering and margins are nearly perfect, and the paper quality is tremendous without any noticeable handling or counting marks. The originality is unquestionable, as the bold embossing is evident to even the casual observer.” (more…)

October 24, 2006—PCGS Currency has announced that, effective immediately, notes with major problems and/or restorations will no longer be placed in “Red Holders.” While the grading standards for problem notes have not changed, with the “Apparent” grade system remaining in place, such notes will be placed into PCGS Currency holders with the normal green-colored security tape label. The word “Apparent” will appear larger and bolder than before, as will the problems described on the holder for each note, but the color of the holder will no longer be red.

According to the PCGS Currency Grading Standards, notes that have major faults such as tears, splits, holes, missing pieces or have been subject to major restoration, such as repaired tears or splits, redrawing of the design, bleaching of the paper, or even reconstruction of missing pieces, will be assigned a “problem note” designation. Such problems will be noted on the grading label. In these cases we will assign an “Apparent” grade followed by a brief and concise description of the problems or repairs. The “Apparent” grade will equate to what the note would have graded without the mentioned problems. For example, “Apparent VF30, bleached and starched” might be a description of a problem note, as might “Apparent XF45, upper-right corner restored”. No net grade will be given. (more…)

Newport Beach, California - Laura A. Kessler has been named Vice President of Business Development for PCGS Currency, one of the world’s largest rare paper money authentication and grading certification services and a division of Collectors Universe, Inc. (NASDAQ: CLCT). Laura A. Kessler Laura A. Kessler With more than two decades of extensive experience as a collector and dealer of rare paper money, she joins the company from her previous position as Owner and President of Kessler Currency in East Peoria, Illinois.

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