Do scratches ruin a coin...

ognib

wjd283

I think that is refered to as "graffiti",and yes it will hurt the value of a coin.

Still a nice coin tho,IMO.

airplanenut

That would be graffiti, but they're basically the same thing--those are letters, so it was likely intentional. For most coins, I'd say it hurts the coin... some, though, I'd say otherwise, as the really old ones can gain a little bit of character from scratches as long as they're not gouges.

Jeremy

coinguy89

<< <i>That would be graffiti, but they're basically the same thing--those are letters, so it was likely intentional. For most coins, I'd say it hurts the coin... some, though, I'd say otherwise, as the really old ones can gain a little bit of character from scratches as long as they're not gouges.

Jeremy >>



I agree. That was intentional. With the Civil War and pre-Civil War coins, it usually adds that character and some will pay a premium for it as long as it has some significance and its not just random scratching. Take for example Trade dollars with the chop marks in them. Some pay more. Or seated dimes, turned into love tokens.

Newmismatist

Yes (unless your initials re TV)

ColonialCoinUnion

I believe scratches ruin a coin. I don't own any scratched coins and I won't buy any.

On the other hand, I don't mind spots. Or rim dings. Of course I'd prefer fabulous pristine coins with none of the above, but I'll buy a coin with a post or a rim ding and it won't bother me that much.

But I know people who hate spots and will never buy a coin with a spot on it.

So whats it all mean? It means different people like (or dislike) different things. So the real questions is do YOU think scratches ruin a coin?

If YOU do, don't buy one.

ARCO

I think a nice deep scratch or two adds some character.

Seriously though, intentional scratches, etching out rudimentary letters or initials or some shape will seriously detract from a coin for many collectors.

On the other end of the spectrum are coins generically called "love tokens". They are coins which have been intentionally altered, but the alteration has some aesthetic merit to it. I collect love tokens and coins with artistic initials inscribed on the coin if it appears that they are dated to the period of the coin. Either way, whether the scratches are ugly or intentional and aesthetically pleasing, the coin usually will sell far below its otherwise normal price.

Here is one I found to be pleasing to mine eye. I bought if for about half what a normal XF coin would sell for.

Tyler

Myqqy

I hate scratches (and I see a lot of them on bust halves), and rim dings suck too.... I'm sure there are many collectors who won't touch coins with graffiti on them....

nwcs

I'm not sure which is worse: scratches, graffiti, or whizzing/harsh cleaning.

Shamika

"Scratches" don't ruin a coin, but the SERIOUSLY reduce the value. Most collectors will not buy a scratched coin (including me). However, if the coin is an extremely rare, people will still bid on it.

DoctorPaper

Even in colonial times we had village idiots scribbling their initials on perfectly nice coins...