PCGS announcement about Prooflike

This 1872-CC Liberty Seated dime, graded PCGS MS-65+PL, is the finest known of this scarce date and mint mark. (Photo credit: Professional Coin Grading Service). Hover to zoom.

Now, all qualifying Mint State U.S. and world coins, tokens, and medals can be PCGS-certified as PL

(Santa Ana, California) July 2, 2019 — Any and all qualifying Mint State United States and world coins, as well as tokens and medals submitted to Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS), are now eligible to receive the desirable designation, Prooflike (PL). The formal announcement about the expansion of PL eligibility is yet another positive opportunity for collectors and dealers to showcase their PCGS-certified coins.

According to PCGS standards, a coin’s surface is Prooflike when there is a clear reflection in the fields on both sides as viewed from two to four inches away. A cloudy effect or striations may impede the reflectivity.

The PL designation was available first for qualifying Morgan silver dollars when PCGS opened for business in February 1986. Since then, additional U.S. coin denominations and types have been added, such as California fractional gold and world coins, in the past year.

“As of July 1, all Mint State coins, tokens, and medals, U.S. and world, that meet the PCGS Prooflike standards now are eligible for PL designation,” said Brett Charville PCGS president.

“During the Ask Me Anything we conducted on our U.S. Coin Forum, it became clear that there was confusion regarding what coins are eligible for Prooflike designation and a desire for expanding this designation to all Mint State coins. We decided to take a hard look at Prooflike designations, and this announcement is the continuation of addressing the requests of our community in The Year of the Customer,” stated Charville.

This 1899-S half eagle is graded PCGS MS-68PL. (Photo credit: Professional Coin Grading Service).

“While Prooflike surfaces on vintage coins other than Morgan dollars are infrequently encountered, we felt it was appropriate to formally recognize them. Two perfect cases in point are the PCGS MS-68PL 1899-S Liberty Head $5 and PCGS MS-65+PL 1871-CC dime. They are dazzling examples that ideally display the attributes we are looking for,” said Mike Sherman, PCGS Director of Numismatics.

The first notable coin to receive the PL designation was the 1899-S Liberty Head $5 gold coin. Struck in San Francisco, the coin exemplifies the incredible quality of the mint during that time with nearly flawless fields. The grade of PCGS MS-68PL makes it one of the finest known.

The second notable coin, the 1871-CC dime recently graded MS-65+PL, is by far the finest known of this scarce date with an estimated survival of around 100 pieces. “The surfaces are fully PL, where all other Mint State examples display a more satiny luster. Calling this amazing, rare coin PL and having it be a highlighted example for the new PCGS PL program was an easy choice,” said PCGS Director of Numismatic Education and Outreach, Steve Feltner.

A convenient guide to submitting coins to PCGS for authentication and grading is available online.

For information about PCGS products and services, visit the website of PCGS or call PCGS Customer Service at (800) 447-8848.

Press release courtesy of the Professional Coin Grading Service.

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Comments

  1. cagcrisp says

    @John Q. Coinage says,” As to this set, let’s see if any legs in the market, I am a old school bull on coins, but in the last few years I have become jaded by the sheer sales #s drops & lack of any real thing I “need” gimmick I don’t need….. I no longer need to fill holes in books… and we can’t have every coin or issue….. So, I can’t see paying $70 an oz. for $15 silver for another purdy finish the mint came up with…..”

    You look at the bay sales and I would say Most agree with you. Offers to Sell outnumber Sold items on a 2:1 basis

    So far, Pinehurst has been Very active on selling the Two Nations in NGC PF70 ER with Total sales of 56 coins

    Started off in a Sellers Market and Now it’s a Buyers market for them

    On one Specific Item Pinehurst has Sold:

    2 @ $495.00
    1 @ $475.00
    1@ $450.00
    4 @ $299.50
    Currently Sold 41 @ $299.00

  2. Old Big Bird says

    @cagcrisp – Just just noticed on the US Mint the 2018 AI reverse Proof coin being released on 08/18. I immediately came to the blog and saw your posting. I am confused as to how the mint is going to release a 2018 coin in 2019? Do you think that this is a normal mint mess up and it will be the 2019 Delaware reverse proof?
    Really strange. Have you ever seen coins release one year later?

  3. cagcrisp says

    @Old Big Bird says,” I am confused as to how the mint is going to release a 2018 coin in 2019?”

    “Introductory” is the key to the release. The wording on the law is “the Secretary may mint and issue a $1 coin in 2018 to introduce the series of coins described in this subsection, that—“

    Another part of the law gives the Secretary another out “beginning on January 1, 2019 (or such later date as provided under subparagraph (B)(ii))”

    As long as the Secretary is “introducing a coin in 2019” then he doesn’t have to issue any other coins This year and the 14 years start in 2020.

    “Do you think that this is a normal mint mess up and it will be the 2019 Delaware reverse proof?”

    Nope this is the Real Deal, A 2018 $1 Reverse Proof of the exact same design as the 2018 $1 Proof. Only difference is the 2018 Proof is being sold for $6.95 and the yet to be Introductory 2018 $1 Reverse Proof will be sold for $15.95. I do see a Limited number for sale.

    “Have you ever seen coins release one year later?” The most famous was the 1964 Kennedy. The Last 90% Silver coin made for circulation was the 1964 Kennedy Half. Coins were actually minted in 1964, 1965 and 1966 that had the 1964 date on them…

  4. says

    Off Topic……My topic is Smartpost. What a name! Looks like it starts is Mississippi…..must go up the river. Somehow gets to Ohio. Probably then via pony express trying to get to NY……etc, etc.
    Pride of Nations set……this US Mint shipping system is something to be proud of……..was ordered on Wednesday, 7-3. Smartpost shows this being delivered 8 days later. 8 days! It took less days to get to the moon! I guess this is the level of service when you get “free shipping” after you 3rd order.
    Good thing the Apollo crew wasn’t going via the Mint trafficking system. It would only be the 40 th Anniversary.

  5. cagcrisp says

    Not a Pump. I’m Not Interested…

    …However, IF you just HAVE to HAVE the Canada Issue, APMEX has 33 in Stock for $229.99

    (They have Over 99 of the U.S. Mint Issue for $179.99, That’s a Reduction of $20.00)

    That Also tells you that a Big Boy is willing to Sell these for $179.99.

    That Should tell you Something…

  6. cagcrisp says

    I would be Surprised IF APMEX doesn’t SO of the Canada Issue…

    IF I was playing the Game…That’s the way I would Play…

  7. CaliSkier says

    I’d venture to say that Apmex will making roughly, $80+ per set on the Canada issues?

  8. cagcrisp says

    @CaliSkier says,”I’d venture to say that Apmex will making roughly, $80+ per set on the Canada issues?”

    Nope

    APMEX was offering a Premium to sellers early on to purchase these sets for them. Keep in mind Canada had a HHL of 2 vs. the 5 that U.S. initially had and Canada SO in short order…

  9. cagcrisp says

    Finally…Finally…Finally…

    The U.S. Mint has Updated Bullion sales for July.

    Dismal Gold

    Dismal Silver

    Through the First 6 months of the year, Silver has Outpaced 5 of 6 month M/M 2019 vs. 2018.

    +3 million oz. 2019 vs. 2018

    By the end of CY2019 I think Silver will Lose that Entire lead…

  10. Blair J Tobler says

    The reverse proof AI dollar is priced at $9.95. It’s the Native American Coin and Currency set that’s $15.95 – from the Fed register listings

  11. CaliSkier says

    Cag says: “APMEX was offering a Premium to sellers early on to purchase these sets for them. Keep in mind Canada had a HHL of 2 vs. the 5 that U.S. initially had and Canada SO in short order…”

    Cag, do you know how much or what the offer to sellers was by APMEX or others? Also who’s to say that they didn’t pick up some inventory from Gatewest? Initially, Gatewest didn’t have any limit on orders.

    Thanks for all the bullion tracking info!

  12. cagcrisp says

    @Blair J Tobler says,”The reverse proof AI dollar is priced at $9.95. It’s the Native American Coin and Currency set that’s $15.95 – from the Fed register listings”

    You ar Correct Sir…

  13. cagcrisp says

    @CaliSkier says,Cag, do you know how much or what the offer to sellers was by APMEX or others? “

    No I do not.

    “Also who’s to say that they didn’t pick up some inventory from Gatewest? Initially, Gatewest didn’t have any limit on orders.”

    Always a possibility…

  14. Blair J Tobler says

    @cagcrisp – and thanks for the heads up on the RCM release – mine arrived today, and I’m happy with it

  15. CaliSkier says

    Perhaps the Mint should’ve put the “Innovation”into play after the conclusion of the ATB series? Other than an attempt to replace or substitute for lost seigniorage ,previously supplied by the Presidential $1 series, I don’t get producing a non desirable, non circulating $1? Same could be said for the Kennedy $.50, however many already collect and many collectors fit into the demographic of the era/time period, regarding age of collectors? Perhaps they should’ve done the Innovation series on the $.25 and done Innovation 5oz’ers in Proof finish??? IMO, they are reaching for straws, trying to figure out what may sell or work? There doesn’t appear to be a direction they are heading in, but down! Seemingly, IMHO, if they took the top 15 ideas or suggestions over the past 10 years here on MNB, they’d be on track to “right the ship”? Now can anyone possibly list the top 15?

    1. Change up the ASE design.(All)
    2 Sell bullion direct to the consumer.(Many)
    3 Smaller fractional gold offerings,(Cag, others)
    4 Better pricing on Ag products and add to pricing grid.(Many)
    5 Additional bullion options. Ie Bars, ingots, etc
    6 Do away with the cent and nickel.
    7?
    8?

    16 etc

    Please add to the blanks(PI)), 7-15! I know there have been dozens of great ideas/suggestions over the past 10-11 years, here on MNB! I think it would be interesting to see the top 25! Don’t cha think?

  16. Larry says

    cagcrisp says” “Have you ever seen coins release one year later?” The most famous was the 1964 Kennedy. The Last 90% Silver coin made for circulation was the 1964 Kennedy Half. Coins were actually minted in 1964, 1965 and 1966 that had the 1964 date on them…
    I have never heard of that. I thought the mint could not legally mint any coin after the year it was issued. We did have 1965 and 1966 Kennedy halfs, so why would they do that?

  17. cagcrisp says

    @Larry…

    90% Silver Kennedy dated 1964-P = 273,304,004

    1964 minted 87,448,004
    1965 minted 144,182,000
    1966 minted 41,674,000

    Total 1964 Silver Kennedy with a 1964-P date 273,304,004

    90% Silver Kennedy dated 1964-D = 156,205,446

    1964 minted 114,411,608
    1965 minted 41,793,838

    Total 90% Silver Kennedy with 1964-D date 156,205,446

  18. cagcrisp says

    @Larry…

    90% Silver Kennedy dated 1964 from Philadelphia = 273,304,004

    1964 minted 87,448,004
    1965 minted 144,182,000
    1966 minted 41,674,000

    Total 1964 Silver Kennedy 1964 from Philadelphia 273,304,004

    90% Silver Kennedy dated 1964-D = 156,205,446

    1964 minted 114,411,608
    1965 minted 41,793,838

    Total 90% Silver Kennedy with 1964-D date 156,205,446…

  19. Einbahnstrasse says

    @Larry-

    In order to make the clad coins and the silver coins easy to distinguish, the legislation that authorized the clad coins required that, during the transition, all silver coins would be dated 1964 and all clad coins would be dated 1965. This overrode the usual rules about not backdating coins.

    The Mint, following the legislation to the letter, kept striking 1964 silver coins and 1965 clad coins well into 1966, until somebody finally thought to give them permission to change the date to 1966 on the clads!

    These days, no similar authority for backdating appears to exist. So I’d assume that the 2018 Innovation dollars being released this year were struck in 2018.

  20. Larry says

    Interesting. I never heard about those 1964 silver halfs being made in 1965 and 1966.

  21. Larry says

    Found this on the web some where:

    From the US Mint

    As required by law, all United States coins are currently dated with the year of their issuance or minting.
    In 1964, however, a coin shortage caused speculation in rolls and bags of 1964 coins. To prevent such speculation, Congress passed legislation declaring that the United States Mint could still use the 1964 date on coinage after the 1964 calendar year. So in 1965, all denominations of United States coins continued to be struck with the 1964 date.

    In 1965, Congress mandated that the Mint continue to use the 1964 date on all 90 percent silver coins. However, because clad coins (which were not 90 percent silver) were not as likely to spark speculation, they would be dated no earlier than 1965.

    This meant that all of the 90 percent silver coins (half-dollar, quarter-dollar, and 10-cent coins) that the Mint manufactured in 1964, 1965, and 1966 bore the date 1964. (The last of the 90 percent silver quarter-dollar coins was struck in January 1966, the last of the 10-cent coins in February 1966, and the last of the half-dollar coins in April 1966.)

    All of the clad coins actually manufactured in 1965 bear the 1965 date. The clad coins were struck with the 1965 date through July 31, 1966. (The first clad 10-cent coin was struck in December 1965, the first clad quarter-dollar coin in August 1965, and the first clad half-dollar coin in December 1965.)

    As one step toward catching up on normal coin dating, in December 1965, the 1964 date on five-cent coins and one-cent coins was changed to 1965. From December 1965 through July 31, 1966, all one-cent coins and five-cent coins were struck with the 1965 date. All denominations of United States coins minted from August 1 through December 31, 1966 carried the 1966 date.

    Normal dating procedures resumed on January 1, 1967, and continued through 1974.

    You learn something new everyday! So, it wasn’t just the Kennedy halfs, it was the quarters and dimes. I wonder what happened after 1974. Probably the Bicentenial Coins.

  22. Qui Transtulit Sustinet says

    @CalSkier,

    # 7-9 Produce and promote well designed one dollar, two dollar, and five dollar coins for circulation.

  23. CaliSkier says

    Blair says: “CaliSkier – Don’t blame the Mint – it’s all Congress”

    I’ll, give you “Mostly”(Congress), however not Entirely.” Also, I understand the office of Director of the US Mint had been vacant for 7 years. Mr Ryder has only been at the helm more than a year, however he does have some power to make some changes. One being the American Silver Eagle design! Time for him to get busy gathering the necessary support and allies together in Congress, of course Mnuchin, and “Getter, Done”!

    BTW Total time on the job, 2-3 years +, due to his previous tenure.

  24. CaliSkier says

    Agreed Qui! Although I gave numbers to my above list, these are not ranked, just listed using numbers 1-15 as a simple place holder.

  25. mattarch says

    For CaliSkier’s list #7 would be sell coins not packaging. Just send me the coin in an air-tite holder and sell it to me for less. I can obtain third party display material if I want to, or send in for grading.

  26. The RCB says

    Louis, I ask you again to please consider using your connections to write an article about how the 2018 reverse proof innovation dollars were produced and why they’re being sold this year. It would be an interesting read if you could get to the bottom of this.

  27. Einbahnstrasse says

    @Larry-

    Yes, the Bicentennial coins. They were struck in both 1975 and 1976. But the Bicentennial designs weren’t ready at the very start of 1975. The Mint didn’t want to create a rarity by striking very small quantities of 1975-dated quarters, halves, and dollars and then switching over to the Bicentennial designs. So they obtained legislative permission to continue using the 1974 date on those coins until the striking of Bicentennial issues began.

  28. cagcrisp says

    19CA 2019 APOLLO 11 GOLD PROOF 28,248 +180
    19CB 2019 APOLLO 11 GOLD UNC 11,191 +26
    19CC 2019 APOLLO 11 SILVER PROOF 173,720 + 1,763
    19CD 2019 APOLLO 11 SILVER UNC 53,138 +268
    19CE 2019 APOLLO 11 CLAD PROOF 55,711 +414
    19CF 2019 APOLLO 11 HALF DOLLAR SPECIAL SET +99,998 1
    19CG 2019 APOLLO 11 CLAD UNC 37,141 +321
    19CH 2019 APOLLO 11 SILVER PROOF 5 OZ 61,125 +88

  29. cagcrisp says

    19CJ 2019 AMERICAN LEGION GOLD PROOF 2,545 + 23
    19CK 2019 AMERICAN LEGION GOLD UNC 2,169 + 18
    19CL 2019 AMERICAN LEGION SILVER PROOF 29,349 +190
    19CM 2019 AMERICAN LEGION SILVER UNC 11,542 +72
    19CN 2019 AMERICAN LEGION CLAD PROOF 15,951 + 87
    19CP 2019 AMERICAN LEGION CLAD UNC 10,015 +33
    19CQ 2019 AMERICAN LEGION COIN & MEDAL SET 9,921 +57
    19CR 2019 AMERICAN LEGION 3-COIN SET 6,844 +29

  30. cagcrisp says

    19EA 2019 AM EAGLE SILVER PROOF 1 OZ (W) 288,107 +1,222

    19EB 2019 AM EAGLE GOLD PROOF 1 OZ 3,365 + 51
    19EC 2019 AM EAGLE GOLD PROOF 1/2 OZ 1,116 + 53
    19ED 2019 AM EAGLE GOLD PROOF 1/4 OZ 1,728 + 95
    19EE 2019 AM EAGLE GOLD PROOF 1/10 OZ 5,888 + 146
    19EF 2019 AM EAGLE GOLD PROOF 4-COIN SET 5,516 + 78

    19EG 2019 AM EAGLE SILVER UNC 1 OZ 106,756 + 802

    19EH 2019 AM EAGLE GOLD UNC 1 OZ 3,724 +62

    19EJ 2019 AM EAGLE PLATINUM PROOF 1 OZ 8,837 + 39

    19EL 2019 AM BUFFALO GOLD PROOF 1 OZ 10,390 +111

  31. cagcrisp says

    18AK 2018 ATB SILVER UNC 5 OZ – APOSTLE ISL 16,802 –
    18AL 2018 ATB SILVER UNC 5 OZ – VOYAGEURS 16,839 –
    18AM 2018 ATB SILVER UNC 5 OZ – CMBRLND ISL 16,041 + 8
    18AN 2018 ATB SILVER UNC 5 OZ – BLOCK ISL 15,621 +16
    19AJ 2019 ATB SILVER UNC 5 OZ – LOWELL NTL PARK 14,315 + 36
    19AK 2019 ATB SILVER UNC 5 OZ – AM MEM PARK 13,430 +39
    19AL 2019 ATB SILVER UNC 5 OZ – WAR IN THE PACIFIC 12,957 (404)

  32. cagcrisp says

    18EA 2018 AM EAGLE SILVER PROOF 1 OZ (W) 348,742 + 121

    18EB 2018 AM EAGLE GOLD PROOF 1 OZ 7,150 + 29
    18ED 2018 AM EAGLE GOLD PROOF 1/4 OZ 4,623 –
    18EE 2018 AM EAGLE GOLD PROOF 1/10 OZ 14,009 –
    18EF 2018 AM EAGLE GOLD PROOF 4-COIN SET 8,031 +26

    18EG 2018 AM EAGLE SILVER UNC 1 OZ 138,940 –

    18EH 2018 AM EAGLE GOLD UNC 1 OZ 8,333 + 3

    18EJ 2018 AM EAGLE PLATINUM PROOF 1 OZ 13,373 +16

    18EL 2018 AM BUFFALO GOLD PROOF 1 OZ 15,756 –

  33. cagcrisp says

    17XA 2017 AM LIBERTY 24K GOLD 1 OZ 30,540 + 11
    18XF 2018 AM LIBERTY 24K GOLD 1/10 OZ 28,503 + 51

  34. cagcrisp says

    There will Not be a U.S. Mint price Increase for Gold this afternoon.

    There Will be a U.S. Mint price Increase for the SO 2018 Proof Palladium this afternoon…

  35. cagcrisp says

    Palladium crossed Ask of $1,600.00 earlier Today…

    The 2018 Proof Palladium Launched September 6th, 2018, at a Price of 1,387.50…

  36. cagcrisp says

    Chairman Powell is fielding Some questions pertaining to Libra (Facebook and others proposed quasi cryptocurrency)

    For those of you that have bought into the idea that Eventually Gold or Silver will Soar because of the collapse of the USD for Whatever reason, you Better understand Libra and you Better understand the Possibilities of what will happen to the USD, Gold and Silver IF Libra is Successful.

    For me personally, I’ve NEVER bought into the possibility of Gold or Silver Soaring and I’m Not a fan of the cryptocurrencies I’ve seen, however, I Am a fan of what I’ve seen about Libra and the Possibilities that it could provide for the World…

  37. Tom says

    If the Mint produces any palladium coins this year at the current price, and I doubt they will, they will be made to order. Who wants one?

  38. John Q. Coinage says

    Cag, as far as I care I<MHO Libra schmebra, it is another way to make $ off the people & as an aside I don't use FB… It a youngster$ game the cyber$ Gold & Silver may eventually go UP with the US Debt up 25% in 2 years. One Day maybe. In the end GGG will work better than Libras, Bitcoin or U$Ds…… Grub, guns & gold…..gold has a base @ $1,300 it seems. AG has little sexine for the masses & the recycling of it has increased over the years as well. Cag, Not EVERYONE is on FB & who in their right mind would want FB to be running a new essentially…"FIAT" currency they created…..
    CAG whose getting the ":LAST" Apollo 11 50c set!!!!?

  39. Buzz Killington says

    I think this article portends one of the last gasps of the graded coin industry. They are trying to goose revenue with re-submissions. These tricks will not last forever.

  40. cagcrisp says

    @John Q. Coinage says,”CAG whose getting the “:LAST” Apollo 11 50c set!!!!?”

    It is Amazing that they have been listed as SO for weeks and weeks and yet we’ve had a +68 sales in the past 4 weeks.

    Maybe the Mint will do like they did the Gold BHOF coins and sell More than the Legal Limit…

  41. cagcrisp says

    We’ve got an Official price on the SO 2018 Proof Palladium of $1,987.50

    It’s been a LONG time since we’ve actually had an item from the Mint that Sold for this level…

  42. cagcrisp says

    @Buzz Killington says.”I think this article portends one of the last gasps of the graded coin industry. They are trying to goose revenue with re-submissions. These tricks will not last forever.”

    I Agree 100%

    However…CLCT stock is Up 132% off its 52 week Low.

    …SO…Much like the Gimmicks the U.S. Mint does to juice sales (W cents)…

    …It’s Working…For Now…

  43. Buzz Killington says

    @cag — I chose the words “one of the last gasps” deliberately. I don’t regret not buying CLCT when you were first posting about how low it was, either. The business of grading and authenticating mass marketed collectibles is winding down, despite these market fluctuations.

    I predict that some version of a coin grading service will continue to exist, but it is going to look much different in 30 years than it does right now.

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