Matte or whizzed

JD

Were the 1900 Lafayette comm $1 created with a matte finish? Would a whizzed coin look like it has a matte finish? I saw a raw Lafayette the other day that still had plenty of luster but the field didn't look clean like a Morgan's. Didn't see any raised metal up on the letters with a 10x loupe nor with a 50x pen type mag glass. Didn't look dipped as there were several black specs along the reverse rim (probably water or breathe mosture that tarnished). Left it at the shop so I don't have a picture. Any thoughts?

coinguy1

JD - Lafayette dollars were not made with a matte finish. Without seeing the coin, I can't know what the problem is but it sure doesn't sound like it's original.

FC57Coins

The whizzed coins that I have seen have a brilliant, almost prooflike finish - under magnification you'll see the hairlines all pointing in the same direction.

Regards,

Frank

darktone

JD, here's a few pictures of my Lafayette dollar for comparison. the surface does not really look like most morgans. It has kind of a satin finish with some easy to see swirling die polishing marks. Post a picture of it when you get a chance. mike

obverse pic#1

reverse#1

obverse#2

reverse#2

JD

Thanks guys...no hairlines seen under magnification expect for a few in one specific location...it has a small felt tip mark on it and I suspect there was another someone tried to remove but stopped after seeing the results of the first try. Will try to post a picture at a later date.

Higashiyama

Note on darktones' Lafayette -- it has a lot of lustre for the issue. Nice coins have a satiny finish, but many are simply dull. I've never seen a blazing Lafayette. (other than a highly polished one!)

lathmach

I have an Isabella Quarter with a matte finish. I've never seen another like it. It has a soft satin appearance.
Whizzing produces a brilliant finish, not a matte finish.

Ray

darktone

Ray, show us a picture of your Isabella Quarter. I would really like to see that one. mike

JD

Darktone, thanks for the picture post. Nice tone. The one I looked at is white so I suspect it's been dipped at some point in it's life. As I said before, there are some black spots near the rim on the reverse which would be 'duller' in appearance if the coin was dipped recently. The surface does have a satin like surface on half the field but has minute hairlines (all in different directions) on the other half. Washinton's face appears to be worn...I'm not good enough to tell whether this is from actual wear, a weak strike or from being slid in and out of flips. The rest of the front shows no wear. The reverse shows some high spot rubbing on the horse in various spots but again could be from sliding. The dealer wants about $650-700 for it which I think is ok as an MS60 sells for about $550 and I think this would come in at a 61 or 62 depending on whether the rub is wear or not (what are your thoughts on how sliding effects a coins grade?).

Been back to look at it twice, maybe I'll go a third time.

darktone

JD-from your description it sounds like it might of been cleaned(hairlines) but it could be swirling die polishing lines as these are known for. You also say there appears to be wear in several of the high spots but you are not sure if it's just a weak strike(most of these do have strike weakness). The slide marks you are talking about would most likely put this coin in the AU catagory and the black spots could get the coin a body bag if they are not just toning spots. To sum it up the coin has wear,maybe dipped enough to give it a un-natural color,hairlining, and has black spots. It really does not sound like an MS61-62. I would buy a certified one if the price is about the same and maybe save yourself some grief. I am no expert these are just my opinions from the info you have given. mike