Sacagawea question

CarlWohlforth

I have two Sacs with the same grade. The 2000-P appears to have a satin finish while the 2002-P is much more brilliant and reflective. My question is why is there a difference?

2000-P


2002-P

MadMarty

Sorry Carl, the real question is "Does anyone really care about the Crapagawea's"! In answer to your question, don't know!

mdwoods

Carl, I don't know why that occurs, but I have seen many examples like the 2 you show. NGC slabs some Sacs PL. Personally, I like the satin finish better on a MS coin, but both can be very attractive. It's too bad someone from the mint doesn't regularly visit the boards and do a Q & Q like David Hall does. I'm sure they would be asked a ton of questions. mdwoods

CarlWohlforth

Thanks for the comments. The 2000-P takes a better photo. The satin finish really shows nice luster. The brilliant one looks a little like a brilliant proof and is very attractive too. I'll try a better photo on that one. Both photos above were taken in exactly the same conditions.

ursabear

I care, Marty. I've never known you to be so harsh?

Carl,

It doesn't seem to be related to die age, because several of the early-strike Sacs (good, deep, clean strikes) I've had were satin/matte. I think it is more about die maintenance or modification. I've gotten same year, same mint dollars that were brilliant and others that are matte. I think it is largely a function of planchet quality and maintained dies. Matte good strikes tend to hide rub better and tend to grade higher when there aren't monster hits or die clogs.

MadMarty

<< <i>I care, Marty. I've never known you to be so harsh? >>


Why?, Until the US Government get rid of the one dollar bill, dollar coins are a big waste! I hate to say it, but it's true. The dollar bill and the Lincoln cent should just go away! Personally I like the idea of a one dollar coin, it's small, it's a different color than a quarter. But the US Mint has warehouses filled with SACs and Kennedys. Why, because the people here won't give up the dollar bill! Until that happends, the Crapagawea is a waste of taxpayers money!

Whew, I feel better now!

LucyBop

Marty, STOP WHINING!

LucyBop

Stop Whining!!!!

wallstreetman

The top ones burnished, the bottom ones not!

maddogale

I have to agree with you Marty. Congress needs to grow a set and get rid of the dollar bill, and perhaps even institute a $2 coin also, as well as dumping the cent. Always thought that X.99 prices were asinine anyway.

mdwoods

Marty is right about the dollar bill. Until is goes away, dollar coins probably won't be successful. I carry and spend them, but I don't know anyone else around my parts that does. We could save a considerable sum of taxpayer money by getting rid of the dollar bill. I suspect the company that provides the paper for the One Dollar bill probably does some heavy lobbying. And, people, as a group, are generally not that receptive to change.

koynekwest

You're right about the dollar bill. It would also help if more vending machines would accept them.
I have actually noticed at least 3 different finishes on these-a fine grained matte; a coarser grained matte;
and the semi-prooflike finish. All three exist for both Mints. Whether this is caused by die preparation or what, I don't know. I have a feeling most of the semi-prooflike ones are caused by die clashing and susequent die polishing, as with other coins.