Does die wear cause better luster?

MikeInFL · June 26, 2009 5:26AM

I've often heard it said that LDS coins exhibit better luster than their EDS counterparts. I've always attributed this statement to die wear imparting better luster on coins.

Is this true or false? Your comments/thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks in advance...Mike

CaptHenway · June 26, 2009 5:42AM

Not true.
Die wear erodes the surface of the die and diminishes the luster. It can still be original and attractive, but it is less than it used to be.
TD

messydesk · June 26, 2009 5:45AM

LDS coins have coarser luster as a result of die wear. How this translates to better or worse is up to the viewer.

IGWT · June 26, 2009 6:24AM

"With Mint State coins, luster is the result of light reflecting from the surface. As a coin is struck, the metal flows into the recesses of the die because of the pressure applied by the coining press. The metal flow is usually in a radial pattern, i.e., outward toward the rim. On some coins, these lines are all but invisible but are still present microscopically. The degree of luster is determined by how, and how intensely, light reflects from these flow lines. Sometimes this luster “cartwheels” around the fields (or background areas) of a coin as it is tilted back and forth under a good light source. Mint State luster is categorized in several ways: flat (flow lines are invisible to the unaided eye, as often happens when coins are struck from worn dies), satin (flow lines may be slightly visible but there is little cartwheel effect), frosty (flow lines are usually visible with a cartwheel effect, ranging from slight to heavy), semi-prooflike (light flow lines may be visible but most are not, being replaced by slightly mirrored fields that have a slight cartwheel effect), and prooflike (no flow lines are visible, with the fields now mirror-like, but with virtually no cartwheel effect). . . . Flow lines are present even on . . . brilliant Proofs, but only in microscopic form. When flow lines become visible on a Proof die, the die will normally be repolished.”

J. Dannreuther, Official Guide to Coin Grading and Counterfeit Detection, at 10-11 (2d ed. 2004).

The sentence "When flow lines become visible on a Proof die, the die will normally be repolished” implies that the wear on a die imparts flow lines that produce luster. But I'm not sure that's what he intends to say, especially because it seems inconsistent with this description of "flat" luster: "flow lines are invisible to the unaided eye, as often happens when coins are struck from worn dies).

WoodenJefferson · June 26, 2009 6:32AM

LDS coins exhibit better luster than their EDS counterparts

I would not specifically point to Early Die States to impart more luster than a Late Die State or visa versa. Many factors come into play to create a coin with booming luster. From die preparation, to die standoff and striking pressures, all the way down to planchet preparation.

As the dies wear from repeated striking, flow lines radiating from a central point become a bit more pronounced on the coin, even eroding into the lettering and devices. Dies are normally removed from service long before coins become ugly, but I have seen modern Kennedy half dollars in the 80’s with severe LDS strikes. Even though the flow lines are significant and should by all rights create luster, the coin are actually ugly.

I do believe there is a happy medium with die wear and the amount of luster seen on a well struck coin.

When that happens, it’s magical.

JRocco · June 26, 2009 7:09AM

I believe that it does increase, but there is a point in the die state where the flow begins to negatively effect the surface and at that point it begins to diminish the luster as the die continues to fatigue.

Bear · June 26, 2009 7:24AM

So there you have it. When a coin collector is worn out

They just do not seem to have the same glowing luster.

PerryHall · June 26, 2009 8:04AM

I would imagine that you need to have a little die wear to get that cartwheel luster effect.

kurtdog · June 26, 2009 9:45AM

Let's compromise, a MDS.

Does die wear cause better luster?

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