As thread title suggests, I have been reading a Morgan book and wondered, "What makes a proof Morgan?" I guess what it boils down to, why isn't a DMPL and PL Morgan considered proof? Thanks in advance.
DMPL and PL are unintentional consequences of being struck right after the dies are polished. With proof, the efforts are intentional to ensure the quality of the strike, thus resulting in sharper devices. If I recall right, the proof ones also have a different number of reeds/denticles/whatever you want to call it, but that doesn't have anything to do with the strike.
"Proof" refers to a manufacturing process. As a general rule, proof coins are struck with specially prepared dies, increased pressure and multiple times. The result is enhanced details. These coins were created to be sold to collectors, not to be used in commerce. Generally, they have very sharp strikes, squared rims, and in some cases mirror fields and frosted devices (although with 19th century coins mirrors/frost aren't always present). When you see a Morgan labeled "PL" or "DMPL" this refers to a business strike coin (not a proof) that has mirrored fields and frosted devices similar to that of a proof.
