I know that the Mint introduced a Special Mint Set in 2008. But my understanding is that those SMS cents were all satin finished. For regular strikes, NGC has a dedicated census for "RDP" or "Red Proof-Like" with a census of zero. It's as if they know proof-likes exist for 2008; but of the 2.5+ billion struck, they still don't have one graded (image attached; link here). Yet again, they even include a very thorough Registry Score sheet for a PL strike. Anyway, I was sifting through some change and on one cent that I found, the fields are mirrored. Parts of the rim are chamfered unlike typical SMS strikes which have very square rims. It was a bit difficult to take photos of the reflective surfaces, and it looks more mirrored in person. There also appears to be a die chip (or hit) to the upper left of "W" in WE. Do you think that this is that supposedly elusive 2008 proof-like cent?? Thanks in advance!
Ahh I see. I'm not a big collector of modern circulation strikes so that's new to me. Maybe it's worth it to send in for PL.
There is a technical standard, based on the number of inches that can be seen in the reflection. I don't want to mislead you - it's not an easy grade to earn.
Yeah I only ever got PL once, but it was on an 1893 Columbian half (!). The surface reflects sharply by at least 2-4 inches when the coin is at 90 degrees and viewed at 45 degrees. I gave the coin a Xylene bath and it seems to have made the mirroring stronger by removing whatever was on it. It seems to work better at this than acetone for some reason.
