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 Replies: 7 / Views: 1,473 |
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Valued Member
Italy
91 Posts |
Good Morning. I am having some issues in understanding if a coin is proof like or is not. Do you think this coin is proof like? How would you grade it? Thank you!  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4989 Posts |
Hard to tell from photos unless they are very high quality. A proof-like coin is one where the fields are mirrored and the devices are well contrasted. A good litmus test is to turn a coin on its edge, put it against some news print, and see how many inches of that print are reflected. Basic guidelines:
Semi-Prooflike (SPL) - 1 to 2 inches, devices must be frosted
Prooflike (PL) - 2 to 4 inches of reflectivity
Deep Mirror Prooflike (DMPL) - More than 4 inches
Ultra Prooflike (UPL) - At least 8 inches
In pictures, the fields should look very mirrored on a PL coin and any imperfections will be far more evident than on a non-PL coin.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12437 Posts |
Impossible to tell without an obverse photo. Certification companies require PL or DMPL surfaces on both sides of the coin to certify it as such.
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Valued Member
 Italy
91 Posts |
I'm sorry. This is the obverse.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2797 Posts |
Recommend you do the "self test".
The Test - Use newsprint and hold the coin on its edge and try to read the newsprint from varying distances (use a ruler between the coin and newsprint). Use a lighting angle that doesn't reflect back to your eye.
- If you can read the print at distances less than 2" it's Semi-PL
- 2" to 4" is PL
- More than 4" is DMPL
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6394 Posts |
Hello Afornaini,
This dollar has a few minor marks in the fields and what look like little pits or dings on Liberty's cheek. Luster is strong, as expected for a mint state 1880-S. I'd call it MS-64 based on these pictures, with a possibility of MS-65. This is a common coin, readily available in certified MS-64 for $50 to $60 in the USA. If it grades MS-65 at PCGS or NGC the value jumps to a bit over $100. The fields on this coin appear to have some haze which will make a PL or DMPL rating less likely. A DMPL rating would at least double the value.
The photos do not allow a determination of depth of mirrors. As Fenton and SeatedNut suggest, try seeing whether the coin surfaces provide clear reflections of 12-point standard print. If you can't read the reflected print when the text is positioned at least 2 inches or 4 inches away from the coin (on both sides!) it will not qualify as P-L or DMPL, respectively.
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Valued Member
Italy
91 Posts |
Thank you for your help.
I learned a very useful information today.
Let me get this straight: to determine if a coin is proof like I have to turn it on its edge, then put a magazine / newspaper in front of it, and then move it back. If the coin reflects clearly the letters it is proof like. Right?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2797 Posts |
Quote:
Thank you for your help.
I learned a very useful information today.
Let me get this straight: to determine if a coin is proof like I have to turn it on its edge, then put a magazine / newspaper in front of it, and then move it back. If the coin reflects clearly the letters it is proof like. Right? You will be need to be able to read the print at the distances indicated without magnification.  |
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Replies: 7 / Views: 1,473 |
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Posted 12/20/2010 12:06 pm
