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newbie grading question

harebearvaharebearva Posts: 45
in U.S. Coin Forum
First of all, Hello to everyone. From what I've seen so far, this is a great board. I have a question about grading. I haven't been collecting for very long, but I love to sit all evening and practice my completely amateur grading skills ( NONE! hehe ) I was curious about some 1979 susan b anthonys that I'm assuming are uncirc. They came from a mint bag and under an 8X lupe, I see very fine hairlines over most of the surfaces. There are a few bag marks and some deeper scratches here and there, but my question is about the hairlines. Is that a normal thing for coins from a mint bag and should I be using a lupe with less power, or should I just give up the grade guessing? hehe. imageimageimageimageimage
There's a fine line between fishing and standing on the shore like an idiot"
image

Comments

  • MikeInFLMikeInFL Posts: 10,188 ✭✭✭✭
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    Collector of Large Cents, US Type, and modern pocket change.
  • chabot510chabot510 Posts: 1,291 ✭
    imageimage
    Nick
  • gyocomgdgyocomgd Posts: 2,582 ✭✭✭
    Tough call without seeing the coin.
    If you want to be highly sophisticated, call it a "loupe."
    And....
    image
    image
  • harebearvaharebearva Posts: 45
    Here's a flatbed scan of the coin. I have about 100 of these and it definitely came from an newly opened mint bag. some of the coins are better than others. Hope you guys can shed some light on the hairlines, normal or not?
    There's a fine line between fishing and standing on the shore like an idiot"
    image
  • CoinGobblerCoinGobbler Posts: 33


    << <i>Here's a flatbed scan of the coin. I have about 100 of these and it definitely came from an newly opened mint bag. some of the coins are better than others. Hope you guys can shed some light on the hairlines, normal or not? >>



    Only a redskins fan would buy a bag of SBA's Modern crap.. Mints biggest mistake yet, you get $8 for each, go ahead and sell. just my take.
  • harebearvaharebearva Posts: 45
    LOL actually I did a little better than that, they were given to me.
    There's a fine line between fishing and standing on the shore like an idiot"
    image
  • cladkingcladking Posts: 28,702 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Welcome aboard.

    I don't think you are seeing what is normally referred to as hairlines. Hairlines are very fine
    lines which are parallel and usually very fine. They are often caused by being wiped with a
    cloth.

    The marks on most of the modern copper nickel coins are the result of rough handling at the
    mint and the tendency of dies to not completely obliterate the heavy scratches that are on
    the planchets.

    If there really are hairlines on these it's difficult to understand why they'd be on so many coins.
    Tempus fugit.
  • relayerrelayer Posts: 10,570 ✭
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    image
    My posts viewed image times
    since 8/1/6
  • EJBEJB Posts: 640
    .........Not slabbed by PCGS and not MS or PR 70 lose 'em...............image...but true....... image
  • NumisOxideNumisOxide Posts: 10,997 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Welcome to the boards!
  • CoindexterCoindexter Posts: 1,074
    Great date to start with! If you're ever interested in moving some of those SBAs turn on your PM function in your profile and get ahold of me. I am nearing completion on my 1979 proof set vith varieties in PCGS PR69DCAM, but have barely begun the correlating mint set. Since some of the prices within that set are prohibitive I have decided to try to "make" the coins myself. Let me know what you think!
  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 46,606 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Welcome!!! Don't confuse die polish lines with hairline scratches. When the dies are polished, the resulting die polish lines are transfered to the finished coins in the form of fine raised lines which can look similar to hairline scratches which are not raised.


    Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
    "Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
    "Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire

  • GemineyeGemineye Posts: 5,374 ✭

    ....image
    If your into grading pick up the The official ANA (American Numismatic Assoc.) Grading Standards book....
    Good definitions .....hairlines .
    Your coin is from a mint bag of coins that shows hits and marks .
    Hairlines might usualy be seen on proof coins .
    An 8x loupe is high.
    I take it your a modern collector...........................image
    ......Larry........image
  • harebearvaharebearva Posts: 45
    I collect both modern and older coins. I've been using the collectors survivor guide and the photograde book for reference. I was afraid that an 8X lupe was being over-critical. Is 5X better? and is there a special lupe made for coins or can I use a photographic type of lupe. I know they're not worth alot but is it worth my time to put them in cardboard coin protectors? I know I know, the newbie in me really shows! LOL
    There's a fine line between fishing and standing on the shore like an idiot"
    image
  • Charlie184Charlie184 Posts: 52
    You may also want to pick up a copy of Coin Grading & Counterfeit Detection, offered on the PCGS main page. And, as you progress in the hobby, I would also recommend a microscope, just for some good fun. I got a student's model on ebay for $12.

    You are on the right track. This is a great board for input from some very knowledgeable people, who have helped me a lot.

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