Shine vs. Luster
Shoedog
Posts: 136
Hi,New forum member here.I collected as a early teen and spent many a pleasant hour of my youth with my Redbook.Got back into collecting via State Quarter program.Actually it didn't take much to draw me back.I think it may be like Malaria,the fever my pass but it can return at any time.
My question is how do I tell luster which I take to be original from shine which could be from cleaning.
Thanks,
Steve
My question is how do I tell luster which I take to be original from shine which could be from cleaning.
Thanks,
Steve
0
Comments
The Ludlow Brilliant Collection (1938-64)
The answer is that it takes seeing enough coins. And having people point out to you what the evidences of cleaning is. If you see enough good coins, the ones that don't look right will stand out more glaringly.
There generally isn't a uniform way of detecting cleaning. But there are a few things to look for: diminished luster, hairlines, brush strokes, brilliant reflective surface with a fair amount of grunge in the deep places and recesses, reflective but flat look.
When a coin a struck, the way the metal flows from the die creates this cartwheel luster. As a coin wears (MS to AU to XF), that cartwheel becomes less and less defined, but it's still there.
Shiny coins are just that. They shine, but don't exhibit that line from side to the other as you rock the coin.
This works most of the time, but some whizzing jobs can fool you. Use a 10x loop to look for a hairlined surface or a bumpy, unnatural look.
This is how I do it. It's tough to tell without the coin in hand though. Hope this helps.
David
Luster makes your eyes smile! Polished coins don't look right. You need to go to a few shows and search through dealers stock. In time you can see the difference. Also, many time cleaned coins will have small hairline scratches which can be seen with a magnifying glass.
Tony
President, Racine Numismatic Society 2013-2014; Variety Resource Dimes; See 6/8/12 CDN for my article on Winged Liberty Dimes; Ebay
What we see on a coin with good luster is also refered to as cartwheels or cartwheel luster.
You see this effect by holding the coin in good light and tilting the coin slightly to see the bands
of light reflecting off the surface.
Also the amount of luster or cartwheel effect is somewhat tied to the state of the dies that struck the coin.
You,ve seen those shiney 2000 D Jefferson nickels I,m sure. They look almost like a proof coin.
So the fields are more mirror-like and you see more shine than luster.
As the dies get into a good working condition you start to see the flow lines in the fields better
and more cartwheel effect.
And coins struck with old worn out dies give you a strange effect in the fields with sometimes a
skin-like or skin-looking effect.
So die-state has alot to do luster, or what we percieve as luster.
To look for wear, coins have PUPs or pick up points. Meaning high points on the surface that are the
first part of the design to go in detail.
The PUPs on the reverse of a Jeff nickel for example would be the steps of the Monticello.
As has been stated there is no way to spot polished coins with a single technique.
One thing to watch for is "luster" which is exremely uniform over the entire coin.
There should be a little variation from one area to another depending on how the
metal moved in the area. Polished coins will appear very uniform and dull.
"Senorita HepKitty"
"I want a real cool Kitty from Hepcat City, to stay in step with me" - Bill Carter
siliconvalleycoins.com
If you are going to the Santa Clara, CA coin show this weekend I should show you an example of each.
Live Long and Prospect.
Regarding shine vs luster, you just need to look at a lot of coins or have some else show you the difference. It's kind of hard to explain.
1. Don't be in a hurry. As most folks have said, the only way to get an eye for it is look at a lot of coins. Look at a lot of slabbed coins from the big 3 services PCGS/NGC/ANACS. Then start looking at raw coins of the comparable (in your mind) grade. Eventually you start to get a "seaman's eye" for ones that JDLR...just don't look right.
2. Read if you can get your hands on the books. The ANA grading guide, and any specialty books for the area you're interested in.
3. Join a club, go to shows, or find some way to meet other collectors. Even though we all have opinions, you can learn a lot just by listening to others...right and wrong.
4. Don't get too bummed out when you find out you made a mistake...we all do. If patient and doing 1-3 first, hopefully your bonehead mistakes won't be too costly.