What happened to this Mercury Dime of mine?

airplanenut

I've got this dime:




As you can see in front of her face, there's something that's an off color that almost looks scratched and shinier than usual--but the toning is on top of it... here are some closeups:





Does anyone know what happened here? Oh, and here's the reverse :



Jeremy

kieferscoins

Extreme die polish.

Cameron Kiefer

JeffinMich

Nice coin....great strike...was expecting FSB on the back!

Cam40

raised lines?
or inclused lines?

struck on scratched planchet or scratched die
or maybe post strike damage?

airplanenut

<< <i>Nice coin....great strike...was expecting FSB on the back! >>

That would have been nice... the reverse has lots of lustre, though!

JeffinMich

Sure does....like the toning too!

291fifth

I agree that it looks like die polishing. Polishing like that is often seen on Mercs.

airplanenut

YAY die polish! Didn't see this when I bought it, and had a momentary heart attack It just doesn't look like the usual die polish... here are some other extreme die polishes in my holdings:





Jeremy

Russellp23

I know it's what you do, but those pictures illustrate die polishing perfectly!

1957joe

How does die polishing affect the grade? I have a frankie that I think has the same thing.

ziggy29

<< <i>How does die polishing affect the grade? I have a frankie that I think has the same thing. >>

It does not affect the technical grade. It might affect value, though, as value is nothing more than what people are willing to pay -- and since this affects eye appeal, it will affect how some collectors value it.

airplanenut

<< <i>I know it's what you do, but those pictures illustrate die polishing perfectly! >>

Thanks



<< <i>It might affect value, though, as value is nothing more than what people are willing to pay >>

That depends on collector's tastes... when I got the Franky, I didn't know it had die polish. Because it's such a perfect example, it's now off the market

Fairlaneman

Looks like some Die Clash is on that baby also. Maybe that is why the severe Die Polish is present.

Kool Merc..

Ken

Merc

I read more about this die polishing in the Mercury dimes book by David Lange. David is one of NGC graders. For the 1936-43 S mint dimes many were subject to erratic overpolishing of the dies. This resulted in brilliant, prooflike patches. Lange also calls it die burn. For the S mint dimes, the die burn is more common on the obverse in front or in back of Liberty's head. A few of these dimes will have a more complete die overpolishing and will be a true proof-like dime.

airplanenut

Thanks, Merc! That really described this one! I'm not sure if David Lange is actually a grader, though--at the Seminar, he was portrated by Jim Young (a grader) as the guy who just researches varieties all day Regardless, David's a wealth of knowledge and a really nice guy

Jeremy

wingedliberty

Outside of everything thats been already said. I am particularly amazed with the extra sharp strike on the first example. I love to see raised rims like that. The color is awesome in every way. Both examples are aesthetically pleasing. I love color like that, but the rims are my source of fixation on these, especially the first. Great photography Jeremy.

wingedliberty

Jeremy:
I was hoping that you would notice my hidden compliment, vis a vis the reference to TWO examples.
Its a testament to your photographic skills with lighting.