Are these die lathe marks on this State quarter? Or something else.... neat circles

tincup · October 11, 2020 12:46PM

Noticed this quarter in my change.. an Oklahoma state quarter with circles iover most of the reverse field; they do not seem to be on the design devices. First thought is lathe marks on the die... but the die appears to be rather worn as shown by the pebbly wavy surfaces most noticeable near the rims, so not sure if lathe marks would remain on a worn die. So perhaps the die was touched up with a circular grinder/polisher? I'm used to seeing die grinder/polishing marks showing up on coins, but usually? they are straight line? Anyways... thought it rather interesting....

LanceNewmanOCC · October 11, 2020 5:24PM

if they are something else, the answer eludes me at this time.

i always found them interesting as well and i've seen them on quite a few coins.

MsMorrisine · October 11, 2020 5:25PM

lathe lines... yes. one point in making the minting die is to cut the end into a cone. this is where the lathe comes in. if the lines are not properly polished out them when the step of impressing the image on the minting die is done, the lathe lines will remain to some extent. they will be concentric around the center of the coin.

first time I've heard of them on a state quarter. I have clad Kennedy Half Dollars with them. I think the Penny Lady has some cents with them.