Question On Proof-Like Coins

PL coins were struck with a special process on higher quality planchets from 1953 to 1967 for collector sets. In 1968 coins switched from silver to nickel and the designation switched from PL to BU. Again the coins were only struck for collector sets. It took a number of years for the TPGs to catch on (looks like NGC still hasn't :-) to the change in terminology so you frequently see coins from the 70's still identified as PL. Nowadays ICCS identifies them as Numismatic BU. In 2006 many sets were converted to contain Circulation finish coins and the last BU coins were struck in 2010. Although again there are some TPGs that continue to use PL/BU grades for coins from sets. To further confuse things many sellers mix and match and/or outright misuse these terms.

So, as DBM suggests; avoid anything designated PLxx, BUxx, UNCxx, MSxx w/ NBU comment, SPxx, PRxx, PFxx etc. All you're interested in is MSxx designations w/o NBU comment, 'from set' comment or anything similar.

PL is termilogy that comes from dealers sources in the late 1940's early 1950's,the term was not used by the Royal Canadian Mint. you will see the term used frequently for US silver dollars from the Morgan series.

Thanks for the info DBM. Always learn some thing on this forum. Wonder why Charlton doesn't list them when Coins and Canada does?

There is no debate about pre 1953 pl coins reread DBM post. He is correct.