Wear versus rub difference

OnlyBuffalos

I have a few PCGS MS65 and and many MS63 coins which under magnification look as if someone has wiped away the luster on some of the high spots. To me it looks like wear. I have shown these coins to several dealers who say it is rub not wear. I also have several PCGS AU58 coins which have the same characteristics -- I assume this is supposed to be wear on these coins. I do not see any differences between the MS65/MS63 and AU58 coins, all look to have the same "rub".

Can anyone shed some light on how to distinguish between wear and rub? Can a coin be MS65 with rub? Thanks.

tjkillian

That is the issue of much debate. Basically you are asking whether a coin is uncirculated or not. One of the ways that PCGS determines whether a coin is uncirculated or not is surface preservation. If it looks like it has a lot of hits on it from circulation (and not bag marks), then they will say AU vs. Unc.

Tom

nwcs

Another way to tell is the rim. The rim is the highest point of the coin and if it's surfaces, which are very delicate, show luster then it's likely to not be circulated.

kranky

One thing to look at is to see if the luster in the fields has been disturbed. That's a sign of wear. I guess with Buffalos that's going to be difficult because there isn't much field anyway.

Conder101

Wear: Loss of luster or metal on high points due to friction.

Rub: Same as above but it looks really nice so I want the higher grade money anyway.

cladking

You just about nailed it Conder.

Normal wear happens from the high points first. In commerce this comes primarily
from banging against counters, pocket change, car keys, and other coins as they go
through a coin counter. This friction eventually will cause the high spots of the coin
to lose their luster. This is normal wear.

Rub is essentially the same thing except that it is what collectors do to the coin. They
slid album slides over it, pushed it in a folder, and passed it from hand to hand. This
type of abuse makes much finer scratches on the high points and the lower relief will
tend to be more affected. There really is a fine distinction between the two and few
collectors see a need to differentiate them.

abuell

It's wear if you're buying the coin - it's rub if you're selling it.

pmh1nic

Ditto Condor 101