Need more info on whizzed coins...

JD

I'm looking to buy a raw 1900 $1 Laf comm that's about MS61/62 but I think it might be whizzed. There are quite a few hair lines (under 10x) in a few spots on the fields. They go in different directions and don't cover the entire coin. Maybe 30% obv&rev. I don't see any metal buildup around the legends. It could have been someone's attempt at removing a spot or two. Also, the coin doesn't have any hot/cool spots, it's more of a satin type finish. I know comm dies were aggressively polished which resulted in a lot of hairlines on some coins but these hairlines aren't from the die...they are definitely after the fact. I've read the ANA grading mint state coin book and watched the video (good material for anyone who hasn't already done so) but the whizzing section was a little light. Took a few pictures, but the only one's that show the coin accurately are too large to upload (>50k) - would sure love to know how you guys get those DCAM pictures posted. Do you have any first hand knowledge about whizzing or can you point me to a more detailed source of info?
Thanks,

mrdq

as for the photo, you can email it to me and I can put it on my website and provide a link. as to the whizzing, i'm certainly no expert, i have a few that i bought and were bodybagged I need to learn more about it also.

tom

BillJones

It depends upon what you are paying for this coin, but why not buy a certified one (PCGS or NGC) rather than worry about what’s been done to this one?

Most circulated Lafayette dollars that have not been cleaned or otherwise played with are a dark gray (but not black) color. You may not like that color, but that’s the way most of them are because of the envelopes in which they were sold. You can find dipped ones that are OK. In fact most of the white MS-63 and 64 pieces have been dipped.

Unless it’s a bargain, I’d stay away from a raw Lafayette unless you know what you are doing.

Fairlaneman

JD:

Polishing the Dies does not create Hair Lines. Die Polish Lines are created which by your description might be what you are seeing. Are the lines you see Raised off the surface ? If so you are looking at Die Polish. I know Nothing about the Coin you are talking about but Die Polish is Very Common within the Merc Dime Series.

A little help I hope.

Ken

TomB

Unless you are getting this piece essentially free I would stay as far away from it as possible. Think about it this way, how many people will want to pay for an abused Lafayette? More or less none. Take the advice of Bill Jones and buy one slabbed.

JD

Thanks folks, great advice...

MRDQ - thanks for the offer, may take you up on it if i can get an accurate photo, my digital macro ability is poor, need to find a new camera.

Fairlaneman - didn't know that the lines would be raised, makes perfect sense, these are in the metal, not raised - so it's probably from cleaning.

BillJones - you are correct, this one's been dipped, and probably to many times as the luster is lacking.

Thanks again, as nice it may look I think I'll pass on this one.