How do you discern hairlining from circulation.... versus cleaning on AU coinage?

stman

Just curious where folks draw the line, when looking at AU coins. If someone has any pics (close ups) to show normal lines from circulation that would be good as well. Thanks!!

And do the services give some slack for hairlining in old classic coins like Bust halves?

BigD5

Hairlines are usually in a distinctive pattern. Circulation marks are more at random. That's the best way I can describe the difference between normal circulation marks and hairlines. On au coins, the factor, for me anyway, is how much luster is gone from the hairlining.
The services give some slack in this area, but it depends on the severity of the hairlining and other factors. Have the hairlines toned over, indicating an old cleaning? Are they very light, or rather deep/harsh?
There is a lot of variance with this, and it almost has to be judged on a coin by coin basis. Tough to form an exact standard to measure a tolerance for hairlines, by the services anyways. The collector himself will be the final judge of tolerance.

stman

Good reply BigD5.... granted it depends on a coin by coin basis. Hairlines that have re-toned over are the easy ones. Heavy into the surface like a scrub are easy as well. But what about a coin that has very light hairlines, but looks to be original toning? I'm more curious on opinions more than anything.

BigD5

Light hairlines and toning, usually indicates, to me anyways, that the coin was wiped before some old time collector placed the coin in an album of some sort, or a paper envelope. Again, and you know this, it depends on the coin, and the look of the toning.

I had a very nicely toned half dime in a pcgs ms/64 holder, that I suspected this was done to. My opinion was confirmed with two other dealers, but the cleaning was barely noticeable, and subjective, and the coin had retoned rather nicely.

coinguy1

Stman, this is going to be very difficult for me to articulate, without being able to show you coins face to face, but here goes....

To me, light circulation usually includes areas of wear / rub etc, which appear as a different color / shade from other areas of the coin. Typically, it looks either gray or whitish or a bit darker than other wear-free portions of the coin.

As I know, you know, the wear is almost always seen on the high points of the design and will not necessarily be synonymous with hairlines.

A lightly circulated coin will also usually display areas of missing or impeded luster.

Each of these characteristics is separate / distinct from cleaning hairlines.

I guess what I'm saying is, that to distinguish a coin which displays light hairlines due to a cleaning, from one that has light wear, I focus on things other than the hairlines. There are usually a number of clues, some of which I have mentioned above.

I hope I haven't made you dizzy with this reply.

stman

Thanks guys.... Coinguy1 just a little dizzy that's all. Actually I was hoping you would weigh in on this thread.



<< <i>Light hairlines and toning, usually indicates, to me anyways, that the coin was wiped before some old time collector placed the coin in an album of some sort, or a paper envelope >>



This is EXACTLY how I feel. I've seen a few Bust halves that have original toning but also have some very light hairlines. I determined they had a wipe before being put away and then retained their toning.

Elcontador

O Senhor,

Get a good look at most AU Bust $s & you'll see the hairlines due to cleaning. This is a very large coin & they are easier to spot. The Heritage Website is a good place to do this via the internet because you can get "up close and personal" with their images.

Like the others said, the areas with honest wear will have a different color to them thanthe rest of the coin and if there will be luster breaks in these areas as well.

stman

Just to make my question a bit more clear... I'm concerned with the hairlines that have been caused by either cleaning or circulation. And how easier to discern the difference. I have no problem discerning wear on a coin. Thanks for your replies.

paigowjohnny

I've got a PCGS AU 53 Morgan hairlined all to hell...and I'm judging from the pattern...most of the lines go in the same direction...and the fact that the coin still has good luster for an AU, that it's a wiper...but still a "market acceptable" "cleaning"