DIE BURN on Coin comments

marcmoish

I'm looking to purchase a 65FB Merc with DIE BURN on the obverse. Nothing terrible but it is obvious. Otherwise the coin is pristine.

Comments Welcome!






Marc

inneedof70s

what's die burn?

marcmoish

Search me! I noticed it in a description for a merc coming up @ Heritage. I though someone else can shed light on that line



Marc

Mark

For some reason, die burn is often seen on Mercs. It occurs when the mint polished the die so much so that when coins were struck from the die, the polished patch has significantly different luster (it's very bright and shiney) than the surrounding area. Usually die burn occurs in the fields. Often the spot looks proof-like because the die was so significantly polished. These spots tend to stand out from the rest of the field because the rest of the field has MS luster while the die burned spot looks proof-like.

It does not seem that die burn has a tremendously adverse effect on the grades of Mercs. Personally, everything else the same, I'd prefer a coin without die burn. But everything else is rarely the same. So, I have some relatively high-grade Mercs with die burn patches and that does not bother me too much.

I hope this is helpful. (Actually, I hope this is accurate! )

Mark

fcloud

Mark,

I hadn't seen the term die burn. But I know exactly what you are writing about. I have seen this highly polished area on many Mercury dimes--I just called it over-polished. Now, thanks to you I know the term.

Tony

Mark

Tony:

Assign some credibility to my statement, but assign a whole lot more when someone else agrees!

Mark

remumc

Mark,

To the best of my knowledge, you have it correct. It is also known as die polish. Often a result of trying to polish out clash marks, which, when over done, is the cause of the famous "broken nose" on Mercs. In any event, It is a highly polished proof like place or spot, usually in the fields, and from my observations, usually on the obverse. I have one that has a "proof" halo from the tip of the nose to the back of the neck. It is also my understanding that after some number of strikings, this would eventually fade and look MS instead of proof. We need Tim, Ken, and Dennis to chime in and educate us! I know I am probably missing some of the detaisl

Regards,

Wayne

Coppernicus

Has anybody seen this on a Walker? I have an 1943-P PCGS MS64 (very PQ) and by the way you all are describibg die burn, it fits with what I see on the obverse.

Any thoughts?

grip

Mark is right,die polish.Al