What Are the Differences Between Prooflike (PL), Deep Mirror Prooflike (DMPL), Cameo (CAM) & Deep Cameo (DCAM)?

We receive many questions about the designations we use in our grading, and among these are the common descriptors Prooflike (PL), Deep Mirror Prooflike (DMPL), Cameo (CAM), and Deep Cameo (DCAM). While these designations are widely used across the numismatic spectrum, they have very specific and consistent meanings when it comes to how we grade coins here at PCGS. However, many collectors either aren’t aware of the designations or may not be privy to exactly what they mean on PCGS-graded coins.

This and much more grading information can be found in the PCGS Coin Designations section of the PCGS Rare Coin Market Report, a bimonthly magazine mailed to PCGS Collectors Club members in print and available in digital formats. For your benefit and for all who want to learn more about these widely used descriptors, please refer to the guide below as extracted from the PCGS Coin Designations:

• Prooflike (PL) – PCGS designates Prooflike for coins that grade MS60 or better and show clear reflectivity, i.e. mirrored surfaces at a distance of two to four inches. If the cartwheel effect or striations cause an area to lose clarity, the designation will not apply.
• Deep Mirror Prooflike (DMPL) – PCGS designates Deep Mirror Prooflike for Morgan Dollars that grade MS60 or better and show deep reflectivity, i.e. deeply mirrored surfaces. The differences between PL and DMPL is one of degree.
• Cameo (CAM) – PCGS designates Cameo for brilliant proofs that show light to moderate frosting of the devices. Both sides of a coin must have frosted devices to earn the Cameo designation.
• Deep Cameo (DCAM) – PCGS designates Deep Cameo for brilliant proofs that display deep, even frosting on the devices of both sides of the coin.

For more information about these and many other grading designations, refer to PCGS Rare Coin Market Report. If you aren’t currently receiving this highly resourceful magazine and wish to subscribe, please visit https://www.pcgs.com/join.