PL and DMPL (prooflike)

How to read it

Most circulation coins have fields that reflect little light, even in mint state, NGC says; a coin whose fields are more reflective than normal is prooflike, and one whose fields are deeply mirrored is deep prooflike. The designations follow an MS grade: NGC's example is a Morgan dollar graded MS 66 PL. CAC Grading's PL asks for a clear reflection in all areas of the fields on both sides, and its DMPL an extremely sharp, clear and deep mirror across every area of the fields on both sides. PCGS says prooflike coins come from striking a brilliant blank with new or polished dies, and that unlike proofs they go through the standard minting process once. NGC adds that PL and DPL say only how reflective the fields are, and imply nothing about the frosted devices or sharpness of a proof.

Also searched as: deep mirror prooflike, DMPL, DPL, PL, prooflike.

DMPL or DPL

NGC says its DPL is the same as the DMPL that other grading services use; PCGS and CAC Grading print DMPL.

Morgan dollars and other coins

PCGS's definitions of prooflike and deep mirror prooflike call them especially applicable to Morgan dollars, and NGC says Morgan dollars are often found PL or DPL. PCGS once gave PL only to qualifying Morgan dollars; since July 2019 it applies it to any qualifying mint state coin, US or foreign, and to medals and tokens.

PL before the number

NGC also prints PL in front of a grade, as in PL 66, for the Canadian prooflike coins of the 1950s and 1960s, which the Royal Canadian Mint itself called prooflike. There PL names how the coin was made, as MS or PF would. After the number, as in MS 66 PL, it describes the mirror.