What defines "Proof-Like"?

I've heard it is the level of reflectivity of the negative space of the coin, but is there a measure of just how reflective it is?

I have a 1904-O Morgan that has an obverse that is much different than any of my other coins. It does seem to exhibit some characteristics of a proof (ie a little bit of "frosting", reflective negative space). What else does it take to become a true PL?

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

The ability to read reflected news print from a certain distance is the measurement. But I don't recall what the distance is.

 

For DMPL PCGS says it must reflect from 6" . Proof like is 2 to 4 inches . A slight amount of cartwheel luster may be present but it may not inhibit the clarity of reflection .
This was taken from the PCGS Official Guide to Coin Grading and Counterfeit Detection . By John W. Dannreuther and Scott A. Travers .

 

and your pictures in the holder are useless.

reflectivity is important.

It would have taken about 30 seconds to take it out and have good pictures.

 

Keep in mind, to get a PL or DPL designation, both sides of the coin must exhibit the required reflectivity.

 

Side note: In some countries, "prooflike" is a term that refers to a certain way of producing coins for collectors. To make a PL piece, you use polished dies - for a proof piece, it is polished dies and blanks.

Christian

 

I believe you're incorrect, as I've numerous high grade TPG certified coins of various type coins which only have the lustrous level required to meet the "standard", on one side. My observation has been that the general applied grade is that of the coin side meeting the greatest grade used by the particular grading firm.

However, with some of the recent posts I've observed, there appears to be great disparity (i.e. 20-30 Sheldon points) between TPG grades and published "standards", so you may be technically correct in a "market" grading world.

JMHO

 

.

 

I believe it applies to any business strike coin that exhibits one or more characteristics normally associated with and found on a coin struck in proof grade.

 

I always thought it took both sides to get PL like it does with the cam designation.
I don't know.

 

As for grading perhaps you are correct,

But for PL & DMPL you are certainly incorrect.

 

yes, agreed.

 

Can a graded coin be "PL" w/o being DM?

 

Sure, that is the difference, see the different definitions above

 

I was merely reporting subjective observations which haven't been yet quantified, as have been other posts of seemingly contradictory statements, relative to grading practices.

It's believed that grading disparities can be readily verified/quantified without analytical instruments.

Objective equivalent reflectivity is believed to require an evaluation with scientific instrumentation to ascertain duplicity of reflectivity on both coin surfaces.

I will defer to the majority opinion/statements until independent spectrometric evaluation has determined a factual basis of stated practices on questionable coins.

Resubmission of coins subjectively deemed without equal reflectivity, to the opposing TPG, without original holders, will also substantiate truths of published statements.

JMHO

 

sorry about that

 

nah, but realize, coins are hard enough to see in a picture, in a holder they are useless.

The plastic completely hides the PL reflectivity

 

Here's a better pic
Not terribly reflective after all. And besides, this "effect" is only on the obverse. Oh well, still a cool coin, even though it's not worth bank.

 

still a nice coin