DM and PL designations

slipgate

I am not too familiar with the production methods for coinage. I am wondering how the PLs and DMs get produced. Are these coins the first ones off the presses? Are the specially struck? The do look proof like and some have deep mirrors, but what causes this to happen and why aren't all the coins like this? If they were the first ones off the presses, then they would be rarer, but how many coins does it take to make a die no longer produce DMs or PLs. Is it purely a quality control issue?

It is a bit confusing to me and I feel my VAM vein twitching again...

morganbarber

slipgate, I am very interested to hear more informed answers to your question. I can assure you, however, that PL and DMPL coins are not specially struck on purpose. I would guess that they are a combination of an early die state and "the luck of the draw" producing a better than average strike.

Wolf359

Yes, early strikes. After a few hundred coins, the surfaces become brilliant. Dies were sometimes
repolished to remove clash marks, or change out one side etc; and DMPL / PL coins would again come
out briefly. Not the same quality as first strikes though.

Article from Randy Campbell, ANACS Senior Grader

nankraut

Wolf: I had never read the Randy Campbell article. Fascinating! Thanks for sharing.

airplanenut

DMPL... frosty with about 15" mirrors





Pre-slabbing:

slipgate

Excellent article - that goes in my permanent collection!

morgannut2

I love JKJ's photo--a nice DMPL refecting another interest--free money for school!!!

MajorDuty

I posted a photo of a coin that showed clear die polishing marks and the coin was designated as PL by PCGS. I was asking what caused those marks on the coin, and the concensus was die polishing. I'll probably go back to try and find my exact wording, but I surmized that the PL surfaces were caused by the die polishing. Some board member replied that die polishing would have nothing to do with proof like surfaces. He was obviously wrong. I didn't believe his comment but just let it pass because I honestly did not know for sure, but I still maintained my suspicions. To me it's common sense. Well, maybe not common sense but it makes sense. My point is, this is a great place for information, like this thread here, but you also have to be aware there is plenty of bullsh1t you have to filter through too. Kind of like everything in life.

Coxe

PL surfaces are always due to die polishing, whether from the initial polishing done prior to putting the dies into service or subsequent repolishing.

keoj

My whine of the night....why won't PCGS give other coins (besides Morgans) PL or DMPL designations? I've asked HRH but he says no interest.....step up if you think that PCGS should consider it (NGC does).


keoj

morgannut2

Coxe hit it--PL/DMPL surfaces are always from die polishing durning initial basining, or latter repolishing to remove problems like clash marks-- Deep Prooflike polish marks are down graded to PL.

I wish PCGS wuld consider other pl coins as well as AU-58 Morgans in some cases for the pl designation.