How does one spot a polished coin?

JohnLocke24

Hi folks, I have been doing a lot of research recently about how to spot a polished coin. I've been a collector for quite a few years, but only a safe one (learning from my dealer, buying relatively safe TPG coins, etc.) Anyways, as of recently I've developed a stronger interest in raw coins and buying somewhat more expensive coins. I've read the ANA book, which really shed no light on how to distinguish polishing.

I can usually spot awkward color, however my dealer will show me coins that have been recolored/polished, and sometimes I cannot see any evidence of it until he describes it to me in great detail.

Does anyone have pictures of similar coins (preferably Lincolns/Morgans - as that's what I collect) that show evidence of polishing - but not enough where you can spot it a mile away? (Although I'm sure you guys probably can).

Any help you can give me would be much appreciated!

MikeInFL

I'm not sure how to describe it, but polished coins look like mirrors. Normal non-polished business struck coins cartwheel when rotated under a light -- and a polished coin doesn't.

MikeInFL

p.s. it's one of those things that is easy to recognize once you've seen a few, but difficult to describe.

tightbudget

If a coin looks unnaturally bright, there's a good chance it's been polished. Can't really explain it any better. If you spend time to look at coins which are known to have been polished alongside with natural coins, you'll get used to it.

YaHa

Wax on wax off?

YaHa

If there is a Sausage on the coin, then yes you have a polish Coin.

DaveG

If you've had a (presumably very knowlegeable) dealer show you polished and recolored coins in person and explained them to you, then you've already had more education than anyone can give you via images.

cladking

Usually they aren't too hard to spot but some of the techniques can be highly decieving.

Coins wear from the highest points down. It is these high points that first come into con-
tact with counters, pockets, and other coins. It is here after a brief time in circulation where
the luster is first broken. When the "shinyness" disappears on these high spots the coin is
no longer uncirculated. The coloration is generally grayish and if you look at it with a good
18X glass you'll see a network of shallow scratches.

To find these high spots on any coin just tip it back and forth with an incandescent light op-
posite from you. As the coin appoaches the horizontal the high spots appear elevated from
the surface. Do this a few times while looking at these spots.

Much of recognizing a polished coin is in seeing the unnatural coloring imparted but even
more is spotting the sameness of coloration from the high points to the low points. A nor-
mal coin simply won't look uniform even fresh off the dies.