A Little Discussion Regarding Hairlines
TomB
Posts: 20,737 ✭✭✭✭✭
In my experience, few aspects of grading cause as much consternation among as large a pool of collectors as hairlines. I am not writing about the male-pattern baldness that may affect a disproportionately larger segment of the numismatic community, but am instead writing about those delicate lines that seem to pop up out of nowhere to limit the grades of so many coins. My years on the bourse have taught me that there are myriad ways that hairlines can manifest themselves on coins and that some of these ways should be considered natural while others are, unfortunately, due to ill advised actions.
Before I get too far into this post, I will write that the only images of coins to be shared here are coins that I own. That is, I do not want to look for examples of obviously cleaned coinage in the collections or inventories that belong to others since I do not wish to potentially limit the liquidity or value of items that belong to others. This brings up a bit of a conundrum as I do not own any examples of cleaned coinage, so I will share problem-free coins and describe their properties. The only exception to this is a single medal that was offered online in a PCGS cleaned holder and that had a PCGS Secure image associated with it and freely available. Fortunately, I have an example of the same medal in essentially FDC full-bloom and will use it to contrast the two.
Hairlines will not preclude a problem-free or straight grade from PCGS or NGC, but they may be used to limit the grade assigned. For business strike coinage, hairlines will most likely be visible on untoned pieces (the prototypical “white” silver coin) and can be found with greater frequency and severity as the MS grade falls. However, once the coin achieves the grade of AU58 the acceptable extent of hairlines typically drops before rising with a lower grade toward AU50. This is one reason why many folks refer to an AU58 as an “MS64 with rub” in that the coin will have attributes of a higher grade, but the light rub on it will limit the coin to AU58. This can be thought of as a bimodal distribution or, for those not into statistics, two camel humps.
You looking at my bimodal distribution?
Hairlines are caused by any contact by and subsequent movement of material against the surface of a coin. They can be caused by small, airborne minerals in dust, from an ill advised wipe with a cloth or by sliding a coin against a hard surface such as a marble countertop. Random acquired hairlines will generally be in many directions and often be concentrated on either the large open fields of a coin or on the highest portions of a portrait. On AU coins this is often considered regular circulation wear, on MS coins it can be greatly grade limiting and on brilliant proof coinage it can result in the grade being hammered.
Something that is definitely different from hairlines are die cracks and roller marks. Fine die cracks can sometimes fool collectors into believing they are hairlines, but the larger and chunkier die cracks seldom fool anyone. The reverse of the 1806 Draped Bust quarter, below, show fine die cracks, among other early US Mint features, all along the reverse. These are as-made and are not considered a grade limiting defect, though some collectors would rather they not be on the coin at all.
Larger die cracks such as on the reverse of the 1838 and 1839-O RE half dollars imaged rarely pose as hairlines. However, roller marks can be deceptive and are seen in conjunction with die cracks on the reverse of another 1838 RE half dollar. Again, these are as-made from the US Mint and do not limit the grade on pieces such as this AU, but they may limit the eye appeal (and thus the grade) on MS coins. Some die marriages with the Reeded Edge half dollar series are essentially always seen with characteristic roller marks.
Reverses of Reeded Edge half dollars (above) showing large die cracks (first and third coins) and one coin showing large die cracks as well as severe roller marks (second coin). The first and second coins are 1838 and the last coin is an 1839-O.
An area of US coinage where many folks have issues with grading is the incuse quarter-and half-eagle designs of Bela Lyon Pratt. Pratt produced a pair of stunning issues that employed a common design, but instead of bringing the design out in relief against recessed and flat background, he chose to make the flat fields the highest part of the coins and sunk the design elements beneath them. The result is that the designs are in relief as all other US coinage, but they are sunk beneath the level of the surrounding metal in contrast to anything produced to that time. Not only does this give a fair number of folks the fits when it comes time to grade the coins, but it also means that hairlines will often show up first and most concentrated within the exposed fields of the Pratt designs instead of preferentially criss-crossing the portrait and other design elements of traditional US coinage. See the comparison images below for the incuse design of the Pratt coins in comparison with the previous Liberty designs.
Although hairlines show up quite well on the delicate surfaces of brilliant proof coinage, there are examples of coins that are known to have extensive die polish on their surfaces that may appear, upon casual inspection, to be hairlines. Among these are the early 1950s brilliant proof issues of the Washington quarter and Franklin half dollar. Below are images of a brilliant proof 1953 Franklin half, a DCAM 1963 Franklin half and a business strike 1953-D Franklin half.
If one looks at the portrait of the brilliant proof 1953 Franklin half dollar there may appear to be hairlines all over the coin. However, these are die polish lines and are as produced by the US Mint. The portrait of Franklin is the lowest portion of the obverse die and this die was polished up thoroughly before being placed into use. One will note that the die polish lines do not extend into the open fields, which would have been raised on the die, and instead are discontinuous with these fields. Had these been hairlines from mishandling then we would expect the lines to continue from the portrait right into the fields in an unbroken manner. The 1963 DCAM proof shows no die polish lines and the portraits can be compared quite nicely while the 1953-D mint state coin is also free from hairlines, though the toning can make it difficult to see.
Other coins that have die polish lines that may be confused for hairlines are 1940s era Mercury dimes, mid-1940s era San Francisco mint Washington quarters and any PL-coins.
Lastly, here are comparative images of a medal with hairlines from a cleaning compared to a full FDC medal with terrific mint bloom. The cleaned medal was offered online with an image of the PCGS Secure holder and certification number and the image was obtained from the PCGS online certificate verification database. One can see the abuse of the cleaned piece and compare it to the pristine surfaces of the undamaged medal.
Comments
I too am a student of hairlines. Your post must have taken a long time to write and is a great explanation of hairlines - must reading. I don't recall anything that you wrote that can be disputed; however, I'm going to add a few things "between the lines." I'll keep your words in qutation marks.
@TomB posted: "In my experience, few aspects of grading cause as much consternation among as large a pool of collectors as hairlines. I am not writing about the male-pattern baldness that may affect a disproportionately larger segment of the numismatic community, but am instead writing about those delicate lines that seem to pop up out of nowhere to limit the grades of so many coins. My years on the bourse have taught me that there are myriad ways that hairlines can manifest themselves on coins and that some of these ways should be considered natural while others are, unfortunately, due to ill advised actions."
"Hairlines will not preclude a problem-free or straight grade from PCGS or NGC, but they may be used to limit the grade assigned. For business strike coinage, hairlines will most likely be visible on untoned pieces (the prototypical “white” silver coin) and can be found with greater frequency and severity as the MS grade falls. However, once the coin achieves the grade of AU58 the acceptable extent of hairlines typically drops before rising with a lower grade toward AU50."
"This is one reason why many folks refer to an AU58 as an “MS64 with rub” in that the coin will have attributes of a higher grade, but the light rub on it will limit the coin to AU58. This can be thought of as a bimodal distribution or, for those not into statistics, two camel humps."
Hairlines and rub are two different things. Yes, an AU-58 is a nice looking coin with rub; but the amont of rub on an AU-58 can also be found on coins grading as high as MS-63. The only connection that hairlines and rub have is that the microscopic surface of the rub will show hairlines, along with a loss of luster and change of color. If I recall, the ANA Grading Guide (which many don't follow) allows a large amount of hairlines up to MS-62.
"Hairlines are caused by any contact by and subsequent movement of material against the surface of a coin. They can be caused by small, airborne minerals in dust, from an ill advised wipe with a cloth or by sliding a coin against a hard surface such as a marble countertop. Random acquired hairlines will generally be in many directions and often be concentrated on either the large open fields of a coin or on the highest portions of a portrait."
"On AU coins this is often considered regular circulation wear, on MS coins it can be greatly grade limiting and on brilliant proof coinage it can result in the grade being hammered."
Again, hairlines are not wear. As you said, random hairlines are something that happens. The main thing that hairlines indicates is mishandling or in cases of noticeable patches, cleaning, wheel marks, etc. What we all need to look out for are the coins that look to be MS-65 or higher, that have hairlining on a prime focal point of the design. I was introduced to this with Mercury dimes and Washington quarters where a few noticeable hairlines in the right orientatation of light can knock the grade to MS-64!.
"Something that is definitely different from hairlines are die cracks and roller marks. Fine die cracks can sometimes fool collectors into believing they are hairlines,...:
We got off the subject of hairlines but I learned that die breakes are microscopically squiggly. Hairlines and scratches are not.
"An area of US coinage where many folks have issues with grading is the incuse quarter-and half-eagle designs of Bela Lyon Pratt. Pratt produced a pair of stunning issues that employed a common design, but instead of bringing the design out in relief against recessed and flat background, he chose to make the flat fields the highest part of the coins and sunk the design elements beneath them. The result is that the designs are in relief as all other US coinage, but they are sunk beneath the level of the surrounding metal in contrast to anything produced to that time. Not only does this give a fair number of folks the fits when it comes time to grade the coins, but it also means that hairlines will often show up first and most concentrated within the exposed fields of the Pratt designs instead of preferentially criss-crossing the portrait and other design elements of traditional US coinage. See the comparison images below for the incuse design of the Pratt coins in comparison with the previous Liberty designs."
And for that reason, hairlines are forgiven more on these coins because often they are the random kind.
"Although hairlines show up quite well on the delicate surfaces of brilliant proof coinage, there are examples of coins that are known to have extensive die polish on their surfaces that may appear, upon casual inspection, to be hairlines. Among these are the early 1950s brilliant proof issues of the Washington quarter and Franklin half dollar. Below are images of a brilliant proof 1953 Franklin half, a DCAM 1963 Franklin half and a business strike 1953-D Franklin half. If one looks at the portrait of the brilliant proof 1953 Franklin half dollar there may appear to be hairlines all over the coin. However, these are die polish lines and are as produced by the US Mint. The portrait of Franklin is the lowest portion of the obverse die and this die was polished up thoroughly before being placed into use. One will note that the die polish lines do not extend into the open fields, which would have been raised on the die, and instead are discontinuous with these fields. Had these been hairlines from mishandling then we would expect the lines to continue from the portrait right into the fields in an unbroken manner."
Excellent points. Additionally, die polish is raised while hairlines go ino the coin's surface.
I don't know if CU has an archive for "best posts" but with just a little tuning this post should be included!
Tom,
Very well written and illustrated!! Thank you for sharing
Ken
My Washington Type B/C Set
Here are a couple of photos that I've taken. The first is of a Peace dollar and very clearly represents incuse lines, evidence of an old cleaning. They extend up and over the devices and are not seen in the fields very close to the devices where the wipe didn't quite contact the surface of the coin:
Here's a good example of die polish lines which might be mistaken for hairlines. These do not extend onto the devices and are clearly raised above the surface of the fields when viewed with a loupe.
Your Peace dollar also shows an interesting characteristic called the "halo effect." Note the change of color between the field and around the edge of the coin's relief at the face.
Beautiful medal! Love the FDC and mint bloom!
Great write up article.
Just would like to contribute by adding this prooflike Jefferson nickel with some crazy die polish lines.
Check out the die polish lies behind Jefferson's eye and on his cheekbones.
Top-notch photographic work, Tom, and an excellent write-up.
Nice post Tom
Latin American Collection
I'm very interested in the study of hairlines and die polish--because they effect so many coins. This is a great thread!
Tom, thanks for the info on a topic that is confusing to quite a few. And great examples and photos!
Wonderful article - thanks for the time and effort to provide this, Tom.
I will add a few things that I hope would help any of the YNs or other newer collectors that read this.
1. I wished I had been more knowledgeable and observant of hairlines sooner in my collecting career. Although good at avoiding coins with major problems, hairlines 'didn't bother me' - but they should have.
Great educational thread.
Thanks Tom for your overview on the topic.
There are hairlines which preclude much higher grades, as you indicate the ANA grading standards permit significant hairlines on above average Unc. coins. Such impairment to originality cannot be "fixed". One submitter told me he had sent in some proof gold coins to grading and was later told to not send them any more lasered coins, as the removal of a few hairlines can lead to possible higher grades, but graders are trained to spot problems like that.
https://www.ngccoin.com/news/article/1102/What-are-hairlines/ http://www.numismaster.com/ta/numis/Article.jsp?ArticleId=18388 http://www.usgoldexpert.com/articles/the-10-most-important-grading-tips/
Very well written and illustrated, Tom. I found the 3d paragraph particularly informative. Nice bimodal Bactrian, too!
Superb presentation. Thanks
Terrific thread.
Any idea what percentage of hairlines are caused by rubbing a coin with a cloth?
@TomB....Excellent post, both informative and educational...Typical of the quality I have come to expect from your contributions. Thanks Tom.... Cheers, RickO
Found in change. Some serious die polish.
Lance
Tom,
Great post. I need to read it again for more insight on the non-proof examples.
As a proof cameo collector, you run into hairlines all the time so you had better know what you are looking at.
Two further comments. I tried to find a dime that is in my set that shows circular hairlines on Roosevelt - but can't find it. It clearly shows how the devices were aggressively scrubbed to bring up the cameo and the hairlines disappear when they are polished off in the flat fields. I'll keep looking.
The dcam dime below shows two types of hairlines. The obverse shows hairlines on the neck with none in the fields as already discussed. But on the reverse, the opposite it true. There are vertical hairlines in the fields, but not on the devices (hard to see on the True Vies, but look in the area below UNUM). With the coin in hand you can see the hairline progress right to the edge of the device before disappearing. I have thus assumed that the hairline was on the planchet before striking and not afterward.
I look forward to further thoughts.
“In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." - Thomas Jefferson
My digital cameo album 1950-64 Cameos - take a look!
What's going on with this coin? Are those hairlines, die polish, or both?
Of course in order to assess hairlines one has to be able to see them in the first place. I have been burned before, buying raw coins at shows where the available lighting obscured the hairlines. I now carry a small LED flashlight and magnifying glass with handle (a la Sherlock Holmes) and with this combo I can spot any hairlines on a coin's surface. (Actually the best light I have found for this is the xenon light in my kitchen range hood, but I haven't figured out a way to get it into a coin show. yet.)
A long term professional dealer said that Halogen lights raised his grading ability mightily. Unfortunately hand held ones usually are nowhere near as efficient to the purpose as the desktop units.
NICE THREAD. I'll add another with Die polish lines.
Super article Tom!
Bearing in mind that my photos make every mark look worse than it is, here are two Classic Head half eagles. This 1836 half eagle is almost a super coin. The strike is superb for the type, and the fields are close to Proof-Like. The trouble is the piece has hairlines in the fields. Hence the grade is only MS-61. The really tough graders would call it AU-58, but there are AU-58s and then there is this coin. This view emphasizes the luster.
And this one is more concerned with smoothness.
And here is one of the two 1838-D half eagles that have been graded MS-63. If you want to see a smoother picture of this piece, it is the plate coin in the latest edition of Doug Winter's book on the Dahlonega Mint. It is also shown in "Coin Facts." It's the piece graded MS-63 that does not show the toning spot on the obverse. That one is the Pogue coin.
You will note that this piece satin fields with more small marks, but no rub.
Such are the issues with grading coins that lower than MS-64 or 65.
All Classic Head gold is very scarce in true Mint State because very few pieces were set aside by collectors.
Nearly all those vertical lines are die striations. Lots of them too. There are also some "curvy" obv. die clashing lines surrounding Miss Liberty. Surfaces are probably slightly proof-like from all that polishing.
Looks to be a totally original Civil War $3 gold coin....not easy to find. Grade limiting marks appear to be small ticks and luster grazes, not hairlines.
It's nice to see a post with some meaty numismatic content.
Coin Rarities Online
Many coins from 1862 have heavily polished dies. In addition to gold dollars and $2 1/2's and proof $1's, $2 1/2 and $5's, there is very heavy die-polishing on some of the S$1's of that date. The $5's and $10's and $20's are so rare in decent 58 that I cannot offer much in the way of observation. Many many G$1's from the 1860's. And, now that you mention it...... I'll always prefer in-hand, but betcha that PCGS Auction Records remembers more than I do.
ElCondator made the point earlier about knowing the idiosyncracies of various issues by mint and year. I most strongly agree. Ask any Morgan specialist. This is second-nature after seeing 100,000 coins or so. And reading. Ask Sheridan Downey about Busties. @EagleEye on Flyers. Wow!
And there are plenty of collector specialists that don't know that they know more than most any dealer generalist.
A good read Tom!
U.S. Type Set
Although you all know this, hopefully, this post will be considered more meat for the young'uns:
There are two "basic" types of die polish found on our coins. I believe it has to do with the folks in the engraving shop, the coin type, and possibly on ocassion the press operator. Die polish is generally circular or parallel. Our commems are frequently found with circular polish. Circular polish is rare on our general coinage - so unusual that I photograph it for my die records. I don't count the relief of proofs such as Franklins. The last one I saw was in the field of a WLH.
I don't care what lighting or magnification you use - including a stereo microscope. If the coin is not held in the "right" orientation with regard to the light source, very often you will not see the hairlines. Tip and rotate the coin at the same time. J.P. Martin explained that you must make the coin "light dynamic." God, I'm sorry I did not think of that phrase first!
Great read Tom thanks for writing and posting it.
- Bob -
"Central Valley" Roosevelts
MPL's - Lincolns of Color
Can I assume these hairlines are from a wipe? The pictures also demonstrate how important the angle of the coin is.
I love these images! They are wonderful and can really help teach folks about this often misunderstood aspect.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
Hairlines on the rev of a lightly circulated Trade Dollar, note that they do not extend right up to the edge of the raised devices, like the die polish lines on the Lincoln cent posted above by Robec.
Very well thought out and presented.
Thanks for sharing
No. "Wipe" as used by many graders is a specific condensed patch of hairlines like a "wheel mark" - only perhaps less severe. IMO, your coin just shows the ravages of time + perhaps some improper drying. In the old days, this was just called an "Impaired Proof."
A very valuable educational post. A great service.
Here's a warning parable for coin collectors...
Here is a proof cameo dime with circular die polishing on the obverse device. A little hard to see on the True View because of the lighting. The center is just left of his ear and the arcs are evident in several places. If you hold the coin just right in hand , you see full circles.
“In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." - Thomas Jefferson
My digital cameo album 1950-64 Cameos - take a look!
Good thread, TomB. Don Willis president of PCGS told me long ago because I am picky on hairlines. He said something like if he sells me a coin, the hairlines are circulation. If I sell him a coin hairlines are from cleaning.:)
For me don't matter where they come from if they bother me or I have to figure out too much where they come from....... I pass on the coin as they bother me. And for those that might say any circulated classic coin will have them I disagree. And I have been told I look from angles unknown to. Geometry majors. Heh
Great post! And great follow-up posts! Thanks to all who contributed...
mbogoman
https://pcgs.com/setregistry/collectors-showcase/classic-issues-colonials-through-1964/zambezi-collection-trade-dollars/7345Asesabi Lutho
TY for this thread. I had a staple from a 2x2 scratch a coin and deiced to put my Gold coins into air-tite holders. While I was doing that I went thru every coin and found light hairlines on about 10% of my gold. First thought was my B&M store sold me these coins knowing they were there. Maybe he did and Just maybe they are die polishing marks. Guess our sponsor's will deicide, when I submit them.
Thanks for this thread,
Mike
MIKE B.
ALERT - old thread bump by Mike, but a good one!