DMPL Morgan Dollar - Why does the example not show a mirror finish on the PCGS grading page?

1st_Place

I'm looking at the grading photo on the PCGS website explaining what DMPL means, with the photo below, and I don't see any deep mirroring in the photo. The page is located here: [https://pcgs.com/news/what-are-the-differences-between-designations]

My understanding is that a reflection should be readable within a few inches, if held up to the coin's mirror surface? In thhis photo, the surfaces are cloudy, Do you agree? Shouldn't they show a better example of a DMPL?

MFeld

Often, images don’t capture the (full) reflectivity of PL and DMPL coins. If you were to view the coin in hand and tilt and rotate it under a light, chances are very good, you’d see the expected amount of reflectivity. That said, some PL and DMPL dollars do exhibit some degree of cloudiness.

sweetwilliet

PCGS usually shows the highest graded coins on its site for each date. There are 5 coins graded higher that are dmpl for that one, but they may not have TrueViews of them. To actually see the mirrors, the coin would need to be tilted and something such as text reflected in the mirrors to see the depth. The photos show good contrast and the mirrors look dark, which hints at deep mirrors, but to truly see the mirror depth, you need a dynamic in-hand evaluation. I think that particular coin appears to have nice mirrors, there is a touch of haze/cloudiness but not much.

slider23

When taking a photo of a DMPL with the lens directly over the coin, the mirrors will pick up a dark reflection from the lens. The darkness of the mirror reflection may provide an indication of mirror depth, but mirror depth from a still photo can not be accurately evaluated. The example posted has some minor cloudless that may or may not effect mirror depth to reach the DMPL standard.

ricko

DMPL is extremely difficult to capture in a picture. I have seen it done with the coin at an angle and something with print a few inches away... but that is tricky. Straight on shots just do not capture the depth of the mirror finish. Cheers, RickO

ChrisH821

Those appear to be very reflective fields to me, that's what the black reflection is. Haze doesn't make it non-dmpl.

lilolme

@ChrisH821 said:
Those appear to be very reflective fields to me, that's what the black reflection is. Haze doesn't make it non-dmpl.

I agree.

@1st_Place
That link did not work for me but I see it is only because it is picking up a bracket on the end and I found it.
Here is a link to a grading page info with dmpl and pl..... under designations
https://www.pcgs.com/grades

From the 1884 CC here are 3 dmpl where I believe the mirrors are going from less to more reflectivity based on the picture. Would need to actually view in hand but the amount of luster cartwheel is telling my eyes the mirror is changing. The last 2 are close but one shows the cartwheel better. Their example you show appears deep as the more deep ones but not as pretty I guess.