Die Polish lines, Proof-Like designations and grading - some questions and thoughts ...

JeffersonFrog

I ran across a nice MS67 Merc recently. The coin had significant die polishing lines and was described by its owner as proof-like. It got me wondering:

Does the presence of die polishing lines preclude a proof-like designation? After all, technically dpl's are "flaws" in the die and result in "imperfections" on the coin. It would seem to me the hairline, raised ripples/lines that result from dpl's would by definition preclude a mirrored, flat, polished field. But I guess you could argue that aside from a new die, a just polished die might stand the best chance of obtaining a PL look.

As far as grading is concerned, is die polishing a positive, neutral or negative? Again, I'm thinking the hairline scratches in the die and the raised lines that result are not the intended effect. Maybe the market (and tpgs?) are willing to look past these small imperfections since they are a result of the normal minting process and are fairly common? Maybe die polishing can be a case of market-acceptable - some of the rainfall/wood-grain/frosty effects are viewed as attractive and desirable?

Or is it something else altogether? I'm curious as to what other folks think. Many thanks.

MFeld

Die polishing doesn't preclude a PL designation. In fact, many, if not most of the PL Mercury dimes I've seen, exhibited it. Ditto for a very small number of Franklin halves and Peace dollars

This is just my personal view - I don't remember seeing coins where I thought die polishing was a positive. In most cases, I see it as either neutral or a minor negative. If it's especially heavy, however, it can be a large enough distraction to be a meaningful negative.

ricko

I agree with @MFeld.... I would prefer they not be there, but if minor, could be tolerated. Cheers, RickO

Crypto

I agree completely with @Mfeld but I would add i see them slightly favorably due to their die pairing dialogistic potential

slider23

The die polish lines can also be found on straight graded PL Morgan's. If the PL coin is also wiped , the die polish lines and wipe scratches are distracting. I have a Morgan in a OGH PCGS MS65 PL CAC holder that has both the wipe and die polish lines. I also have a straight graded gold dollar MS61 with die polish lines and market acceptable cleaning that is distracting. I am fine with die polish lines, but I will not buy another coin with cleaning scratches and die polish lines.

MFeld

@slider23 said:
The die polish lines can also be found on straight graded PL Morgan's. If the PL coin is also wiped , the die polish lines and wipe scratches are distracting. I have a Morgan in a OGH PCGS MS65 PL CAC holder that has both the wipe and die polish lines. I also have a straight graded gold dollar MS61 with die polish lines and market acceptable cleaning that is distracting. I am fine with die polish lines, but I will not buy another coin with cleaning scratches and die polish lines.

But would you buy another coin with “cleaning scratches” and not die polish lines?

FlyingAl

Personally, I tend to like them. It looks kind of cool on PL Morgans and is especially helpful in die matching, which for a cherrypicker is always a plus.

I can see them being a distraction, but oftentimes they are not in my opinion. Certain coins sometimes are found predominantly with die polish lines and the collector in the market for those coins cannot be very choosy about them. An example would be the 1943/42 cent that has been on the boards recently. I'd wager a little over 50% exhibit some die polish.

BenV

Here's a nice example of a heavily die polished Mercury Dime I own- they definitely stand out, but I like how the coin looks. As long as they're not distracting when viewed in-hand, they add character to the coin. Just like toning, it's definitely a case-by-case basis, but with less potential for upside and downside.

lilolme

I posted this one in a thread before. A little extra went into this one.

slider23

@MFeld said:

@slider23 said:
The die polish lines can also be found on straight graded PL Morgan's. If the PL coin is also wiped , the die polish lines and wipe scratches are distracting. I have a Morgan in a OGH PCGS MS65 PL CAC holder that has both the wipe and die polish lines. I also have a straight graded gold dollar MS61 with die polish lines and market acceptable cleaning that is distracting. I am fine with die polish lines, but I will not buy another coin with cleaning scratches and die polish lines.

But would you buy another coin with “cleaning scratches” and not die polish lines?

Mark, that is a good question. I try not to buy coins with market acceptable cleaning scratches, but I do have some in my collection that I have accepted.

MFeld

@slider23 said:

@MFeld said:

@slider23 said:
The die polish lines can also be found on straight graded PL Morgan's. If the PL coin is also wiped , the die polish lines and wipe scratches are distracting. I have a Morgan in a OGH PCGS MS65 PL CAC holder that has both the wipe and die polish lines. I also have a straight graded gold dollar MS61 with die polish lines and market acceptable cleaning that is distracting. I am fine with die polish lines, but I will not buy another coin with cleaning scratches and die polish lines.

But would you buy another coin with “cleaning scratches” and not die polish lines?

Mark, that is a good question. I try not to buy coins with market acceptable cleaning scratches, but I do have some in my collection that I have accepted.

Thank you. I was wondering why you’d make the comment about “cleaning scratches” with respect to PL coins, in particular.