How can you tell the difference between die rust and regular marks/chatter on early copper?

Longacre

I was taking a look at the EAC sale catalog, and a few coins were described as having die rust. I thought that die rust appears as raised lumps on the coin. The coins in question were relatively low grade, and thus had a lot of marks and other chatter on both sides. Does anyone know if there is an easy way to tell the difference between die rust and other general marks on copper?

guitarwes

I think die rust will leave a raised area on the surface of the coin and chatter will be dug marks(incused)into the coin.

Longacre

<< <i>I think die rust will leave a raised area on the surface of the coin and chatter will be dug marks(incused)into the coin. >>




True. I guess it is as simple as that? I was wondering if regular marks can be confused for die rust, but maybe it is pretty easy to tell the difference. Thanks.

guitarwes

You just have to scrape your fingernail hard across the surface to tell the difference. Especially on MS Southern Gold!