How many actually have a difficult time differentiating

Boom

between what, at first glance, appears to be an improperly cleaned or whizzed coin, hairlines and die polish lines?

Sure, most all of us know what the textbook answer is but unless you have more than a 5X, how many ACTUALLY have a problem with this?

As a second part to this query, how many feel that die polish lines actually have a negative affect on a coin's final grade?

Boom

DO HEAVY DIE POLISH LINES TAKE AWAY FROM A COIN'S GRADE?

TonedPeaceNut

They shouldnt since die polish lines are mint caused and are a part of production. I personally think die polish lines like clash marks can actually make a coin more interesting. And if die polish lines could cause a downgrade all those 3 legged Buffs should be AU according to your theory.


TPN

DMWJR

I can't speak for the grading services, but die polish lines do not generally detract from a coin to me. When I get that "suspicous" looking coin, I scope it.

I have a business strike merc that has so many polish lines that it will make your head spin. The coin is like a headlight the way it reflects light. They are all raised lines, and there is no evidence of cleaning -- just one super polished proof like merc.

Boom

No, I have no "theory" at all regarding Die polish lines but I can state that personally I have yet to see such a coin grade very high. Agreed, they are part of the minting process but since standards revolve around Strike, Luster and Eye Appeal, I am wondering if they are and have been a factor in determining a given coin's final grade. Looking for input.

coinlieutenant

Die polish lines CAN lower a coins grade. Extensive die polish lines can lower a coins eye appeal and thus make the grade suffer in that aspect. I have seen some Morgans that I would classify in this regard.

Technically they should not hurt the grade, but eye appeal is a factor and therefore, they are generally undesirable IMO.

I guarantee that a coin with a planchet error or heavy die polish lines that was absolutely flawless in every other way would never be graded MS70.

J

SMS

<< <i>I guarantee that a coin with a planchet error or heavy die polish lines that was absolutely flawless in every other way would never be graded MS70. >>



"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder", and this is VERY true in numismatics. That is why eye-appeal is a factor in grading coins. Now, excessive die polishing COULD detract the coin, but it can also enhance the eye appeal. Depending upon who is actually "grading" the coin, excessive die polishing could actually lead that individual into the MS70 field. Does the die polishing make it pinwheel like 4th of July fireworks? Doe the polishing make it blast and PL, enhancing the "flawlessness" of the devices, and thus enhancing the eye appeal and attractiveness of the coin? A coin that may have been MS69 may very well gain from such polishing! Of course, we all know that the MS70 designation is only fantasy anyway, since nothing is "perfect".

BAJJERFAN

Ask this question of HRH tonite!!

291fifth

<< <i>DO HEAVY DIE POLISH LINES TAKE AWAY FROM A COIN'S GRADE? >>



To answer your question you have to get out into the marketplace and sell at a show for cash. My own experience is that die polish lines are a significant negative when selling.

PerryHall

It would seem to me that die polish lines would have a greater influence on grade in the grades approaching perfection such as MS68 or higher.

mozin

Try finding a 1937-S Boone Commem in PL without heavy die lines over the entire obverse. A fairly rare variety of 1921 Pilgrim is caused by clashed dies being very heavily polished. Certain coins nearly always come with die polish lines. Sometime dies clashed early in use and the mint worker was required to polish the dies to save the dies. There are lots of cases in Bust series where the earliest die state of a given variety is extremely difficult to locate because the dies clashed so early on.

nwcs

I used to have a hard time till I took the grading class in 2003. I recommend the ANA grading class highly. It's very helpful in these areas.

Shamika

I've never had a difficult time with these. In fact, I often like to see die polish. It suggests to me the coin has been well struck when such fine details are visible.