what would cause these vertical lines?

Doogy

I have this same 5 franc coin, and I recently noticed vertical hairlines like the ones shown in this picture. My coin is MS64 and shows far fewer of these lines however. I was thinking maybe it was from a cleaning, but most of the slabbed 5 francs from these years tend to show the same vertical hairlines. Anyone know the cause, i'm assuming they are mint made (die polishing,etc)?

thanks

Doug

shirohniichan

It does indeed look like die polish.

satootoko

It may be tough to determine, but are the lines raised or incuse under magnification?

Raised lines would indicate die polishing, incuse would indicate damage - probably from cleaning.

Their location entirely in the fields without seeming to affect the design or legends is probably more consistent with die polish marks.

TwoKopeiki

<< <i>Raised lines would indicate die polishing, incuse would indicate damage - probably from cleaning. Their location entirely in the fields without seeming to affect the design or legends is probably more consistent with die polish marks. >>

Doogy

<< <i>Their location entirely in the fields without seeming to affect the design or legends is probably more consistent with die polish marks. >>




do most cleanings tend to show the hairlines going from the fields to, and over, the coin design; whereas from your experience die polish appears in the fields only?

thanks!

Doug

TwoKopeiki

<< <i>

<< <i>Their location entirely in the fields without seeming to affect the design or legends is probably more consistent with die polish marks. >>




do most cleanings tend to show the hairlines going from the fields to, and over, the coin design; whereas from your experience die polish appears in the fields only?

thanks!

Doug >>



You are correct. Also, as satootoko mentioned, die polishing lines are raised (same goes for scratched, pitted, rusted dies), where cleaning lines are incuse.

theboz11

Doogy,,"more consistent with die polish marks" does not mean they are die polish marks, just because they only appear to be in the fields only. The only way to be sure is to place it under magnification and see it they are raised or scratched into the surface.

Stork

Thanks for this thread guys...I was just going to ask a similar question about two Uruguay 20 centissimos I have raw. I was going to put it in my reject pile when I saw the lines on the reverse feilds (crying a bit because the obverse is so nice), but then I looked at my other raw one and same thing. The design elements are clear so I started thinking die polish. Thanks for the timely thread...now to go find a bright light and my magnifier (wherever my kids have hidden it).


Cathy

GDJMSP

If I had to guess, and that's all I can do, I'd guess those are not die polishing marks. I suspect they are just plain ordinary hairlines. I'm basing that suspicion on the fact that every single one of them is lighter in color than the surrounding field areas. If they were die polish marks, they shouldn't be. 'Course, could be wrong - certainly wouldn't be the first time.

newsman

I have seen those lines as well on uncirculated 5-franc coins -- even slabbed ones -- so I suspect it is die polish.