Die polishing marks and grading...

Newcomp103

I have seen a lot of coins recently (NGC and PCGS graded MS65 and even a few MS66s) that have quite noticable die polishing areas...my question is, are these considered contact marks within the realm of the grade? I think that they can be distracting to the overall eye appeal of the coin...but should it affect grade?

curly

Since the marks came from the die, I don't think it affects the grade. It may however, affect the desireability.

All that aside, put die polishing marks off Lincoln's shoulder and off his nose and you'll have some brothers around here panting.

astrorat

If the marks affect the eye appeal, good or bad, it affects the grade. Eye appeal is a major component of grading, especially MS coins.

Die polish lines themselves are imparted during striking and are not considered surface marks that would lower the grade (due to post-striking damage). There are some GREAT examples with Morgan dollars and Lincoln cents where the dies were, quite obviously, unfinished following lapping and course polishing where the lines are so prominent that the coin looks harshly cleaned. THESE types of die polish lines, for me, actually make the coin more desirable.

Lane

ahooka454

It shouldnt. If anything, they should be first strikes. I like them. It gives an otherwise normal run of the mill coin character.

JRocco