Experts: How can you tell the difference between "Did Adjustment Strike" and "Filled

braddick

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3300782382

I was looking at the above auction and realized I don't think I'd know the difference between this Kennedy, a Die Adjustment Strike, and one that was struck through grease. Are there any tale-tell signs other than the weakness in detail?

(Also, as a side note: why are Die Adjustment Strikes considered "errors"? After all, the Mint struck them on purpose- the only 'error' was allowing them to escape into circulation. Right?)

danglen

A "struck through" coin will have a reeded edge, while a "die adjustment strike" will have smooth or incomplete reeds in the edge. A lot of times even the experts have problems telling them apart. The images attached are of a Virginia State quarter I have. It is one of 108 I bought from an error coin dealer in 2001. ANACS graded some as "struck through". I sold one to Fred Weinberg, who sent it to PCGS, and they authenticated and slabbed it as a "die adjustment strike".

P.S. I'm no expert

braddick

That State quarter is a great example! See how even the grading services can't always get it right!
Isn't it true the Die Adjustment Strikes are worth considerably MORE than a greased filled die struck coin? (There is a Die Adjustment Peace dollar on eBay right now with an opening bid of $17,000.00).

So the trick is in the reeding?

danglen

You are correct. Die Adjustment Strikes or Trial Strikes are significantly more expensive than "Struck Through" errors. I thought it was also interesting that ANACS graded my errors as MS-60, but PCGS grade Fred Weinberg's coin (from the same roll) as an MS-62. How you can call this coin anything but an MS-60 is totally beyond my comprehension!

kranky

Great question, and one that I've wondered about myself. I never thought the reeding would be the tipoff!

richbeat

Since it's hard to tell the difference between the two and since there is a significant price (value) difference, I say stick with the slabbed ones.