Weird surface on gold coin (picture of saint)...What is it?

ReadyFireAim

I've seen it several times and my 16-S has a little bit of it.
I was calling it watery because it kind of looks like ripples on a pond when you move the light.
(not my coin)

(my coin)

Insider2

Several dates in the teens have a similar surface. There appears to be a chemical residue on yours also.

7Jaguars

Orange peel was what I was taught...

Insider2

IMO, "orange peel" has a completely different appearance. Perhaps "rough satin" describes these surfaces better.

PS I will concede that "orange peel" describes these coins better than when used to describe the surfaces of gold proofs!

RogerB

Obviously this coins was made in the autumn and was struck through fresh apple butter.

csdot

Maybe the chocolate started melting under the foil? 😆

ReadyFireAim

And to make things even weirder, the obverse is usually more effected.
Often the reverse of an "orange peel" coin is frosty or salty like my 16-s
(the below is the reverse of the 1911-D above and an extreme example that has "orange peel" on both sides)

So it's usually the hammer die or the top of the planchet???

ricko

It has the appearance of rusty dies that were cleaned but not fully buffed...JMO... Cheers, RickO

asheland

Pretty coins, not sure about the surface, almost seems like the surface of a matte proof... Maybe similarly made?

ReadyFireAim

@asheland said:
... almost seems like the surface of a matte proof... Maybe similarly made?

It just so happens there is one for sale now.
I've been visiting it every so often

http://www.collectorscorner.com/Products/Item.aspx?id=43601157

Ebeneezer

My theory lies towards the die surface themselves. Sort of like the rusted die strikes of some early 1800's coinage.

asheland

@ReadyFireAim said:

@asheland said:
... almost seems like the surface of a matte proof... Maybe similarly made?

It just so happens there is one for sale now.
I've been visiting it every so often

http://www.collectorscorner.com/Products/Item.aspx?id=43601157

That's sweet!

ffcoins

What’s the indication for this?

@Insider2 said:
Several dates in the teens have a similar surface. There appears to be a chemical residue on yours also.

RogerB

The coin in OP's post was not sandblasted and has nothing in common with any proof Saint-Gaudens coin.

ReadyFireAim

@RogerB said:
The coin in OP's post was not sandblasted.

Here is some interesting information on the above proof (if you didn't notice the link in the listing)

1908 $20 Motto PR65 PCGS. JD-1. The curvature of the dies for Saint-Gaudens new double eagle design made it impossible >for the Mint to produce the brilliant finish proofs of earlier years, so an artistic sandblast finish was employed for the >annual proof offerings, beginning in 1908. Sandblasted surfaces exhibit numerous minute facets that reflect the light at >different angles, giving a coin an unusual sparkle. Unfortunately, contemporary collectors much preferred the old brilliant >proofs. A passage from the April 1909 issue of The Numismatist summarized their feelings: {blockquote}"The types of the >gold coins now being issued at the United States Mint do not permit the making of bright finish or brilliant Proof >specimens. The face of the die touches almost every part of the planchet, dulling the surface of even a polished blank. >Proof coins of the present gold series, so far as issued, have a very dull appearance, the finish being what is known as >"sandblast," and are far less pleasing to the eye than the coinage for circulation, which is brighter and of lighter color.">{/blockquote} Correspondence between Mint Director A. Piatt Andrew and William Woodin indicates that 101 proof Saint->Gaudens double eagles were sold in 1908, far fewer than the 500 pieces produced. The unsold remainder must have been >melted after the end of the year. The double eagles were struck earlier, but proof sets were not delivered until December >30, waiting on the new Pratt designed quarter eagles and half eagles, which were only approved late in the year. The long >delay undoubtedly added to the confusion and frustration of prospective buyers. Roger W. Burdette estimates no more >than 60 proof 1908 Saint-Gaudens double eagles survive today in all grades. The coins began appearing at auction at an >early date. Lot 713 of the XLVII Public Auction Sale (Ben G. Green, 4/1909), contained a complete four-piece 1908 gold proof >set that sold for $76, a strong price for the time, perhaps ...