PCGS 'Genuine' code #98....."Damage".......A lot of explanations involved...'Smoothed' is

Goldbully

Here are the official explanations from PCGS for Genuine Code #98(Damage)

The general(Main) definition of code #98 is "Any metal movement."

Further explanations from the Main per PCGS:


Any form of metal movement, either intentional or accidental. Damage may include excessive or heavy rim dings and bruises, deliberate surface damage such as graffiti, attempts to remove spots, etc. The severity and extent of the damage affects whether it will get a “No Grade” decision. Whizzing is the use of a high-speed, rotating wheel to buff the surfaces of a coin, which actually moves the metal on the surface and leaves ridges on many of the devices.

The following damage descriptions are some of the more common that may be indicated on your 98 graded insert.

1. Graffiti (significant distracting etchings- occasionally net graded on early coins)
2. Planchet streak removed (usually found on gold coins)
3. Spot(s) removed (leaving some form of damage that is evident)
4. Surfaces tooled (major metal movement- whizzing, lasering, tooling)
5. Machine damage (either: counting machine or coin wrapping machine)
6. Rim damage (either: rim gouge or test cut)
7. Surface damage (either: large gouge/scrape, drill or chop mark)
8. Mount removed (located on either the edge or surface of coin)


My question is, how does 'smoothed' come into play?
Is this a form of harsh buffing or polishing?
Please advise and inform......thank you.
GB






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ms70

There looks to be an unusual number of pock marks on the bust. The bust looks soft while other devices appear very sharp.

mbogoman

I have always understood "smoothed" to be just another form of "surfaces tooled", although instead of engraving to enhance details, smoothing is done to cover up some other problem with the coin. For example, scratches or graffiti in the field may have been obliterated by buffing or heavy polishing.

DaveG

Imagine that you've just finished icing a cake and you take a fork and drag it along the surface of the cake.

To correct the damage, you take a spatula and "smooth" the surface of the icing to obliterate the fork marks.

1Bustcollector

Although we are viewing a photograph: it almost appears the surface "marks" do not have sharpness around its own peripheries. It does appear they are somewhat rounded/smoothed. Would this be a possibility? Comments?