I'm not very familiar with the guidelines for PL, and searching through the NGC and PCGS websites wasn't helpful. Would a coin like this qualify for a PL designation? I'm contemplating sending it in, as I think it would be worth it if I ended up with a MS-62 PL grade. The obverse is clearly PL, as I can easily read words in the reflection about 3 inches away. The reverse seems to be just about as reflective as the obverse, but it's difficult to read the words when using the same test, due to the toning. Any thoughts on how NGC/PCGS would grade a coin like this, where toning inhibits the traditional PL test?
There is no requirement for the devices to have cameo for PL. It is based solely on the reflectivity of the fields. This is a common misconception.
I can't really get a good feel for the mirrors in your pictures, so I can't comment on your coin. I will say, however, that if the coin is actually PL, the toning won't prohibit that designation. I've seen plenty of toned PL coins.
Got it, thanks - that's the info I was looking for. I probably should have just posted this thread without pictures so as not to confuse the issue. In any case, here's a video to demonstrate the PL quality (couldn't figure out how to get halfway decent photos): I was so focused on PL I didn't even notice the hairline scratches on the reverse- looks like a definite scrub. Guess I won't submit this after all.
I'm no fan of video for grading, but it's actually a far better way to hint at PL/DMPL than any still images. In fact, it helps to prove what @physics-fan3.14 says about toning not interfering - I have no trouble seeing reflectivity in the toned part of that coin. The toning is only a few molecules deep, and shouldn't completely mask reflectivity. And for the record, this presents to me as one heck of a well-struck New Orleans Morgan , and I think the NW-SE angled lines you're seeing on the reverse are original to the planchet, as-struck. Keep in mind, artificial hairlines will very quickly destroy reflectivity. Not instantly or in all cases, depending on their strength - you can't generalize this - but with the evidence thus far presented I don't see this as a "cleaned" coin.
Where do you see cleaning on this coin? I don't see any cleaning. I see some die polish (mint made) and I see a small disturbance in the toning, but I don't see any evidence of cleaning.
