What Distinguishes Graffiti from Scratch.

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DisneyFan
DisneyFan Posts: 2,965 ✭✭✭✭✭
in U.S. Coin Forum

Might it be the number or depth of scratches?

The definition of Graffiti: These coins exhibit intentional scratching or carving into a coin’s surface. Historically, some collectors have added their initials to coins, carved symbols, or other added patterns.

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  • TrickleCharge
    TrickleCharge Posts: 502 ✭✭✭✭
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    Regardless of depth or number, scratches are or appear as accidental. Coins with obvious intentional scratching or carving would be graffiti.

  • PerryHall
    PerryHall Posts: 47,755 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @messydesk said:
    A scratch looks accidental, graffiti looks intentional.

    Agee. In some cases, it's difficult to tell which one it is. Both are considered to be damage, and both hurt the value of the coin.

    Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
    "Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
    "Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire

  • DisneyFan
    DisneyFan Posts: 2,965 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Does this look intentional? Reverse is clean.

  • Relaxn
    Relaxn Posts: 1,265 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Depends who submits it...

  • ajaan
    ajaan Posts: 18,005 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @DisneyFan said:
    Does this look intentional? Reverse is clean.

    Yes


    DPOTD-3
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    Don
  • messydesk
    messydesk Posts: 20,819 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @DisneyFan said:
    Does this look intentional? Reverse is clean.

    Absolutely. Rotate the coin 90° CCW and you see the letters "DB" or "PB".

    John
    Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
  • TomB
    TomB Posts: 23,192 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    The marks on the 1795 appear intentional and look to be initials.

    Thomas Bush Numismatics & Numismatic Photography

    In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson

    image
  • CRHer700
    CRHer700 Posts: 2,153 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited August 23, 2024 10:03AM
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    Take my profile picture as an example. Obviously graffiti. This actually was passed down to me from my Grandma with no explanation or story. It is a 1922-D and the reverse has been partially filed away.
    Please excuse my photo editing for the moment.

    God bless all who believe in him. Do unto others what you expect to be done to you. Dubbed a "Committee Secret Agent" by @mr1931S on 7/23/24. Founding member of CU Anti-Troll League since 9/24/24.

  • Walkerfan
    Walkerfan Posts: 10,392 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited August 23, 2024 5:13PM
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    Graffiti is intentional and has a pattern or meaning.

    Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍

    My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):

    https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/

  • Mr_Spud
    Mr_Spud Posts: 7,272 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    What about this one? It straight graded and has a CAC sticker and all that, but if you turn it upside down it looks like an A. I really like this coin and the scratch/graffiti doesn’t bother me, but I wonder how it got by PCGS and CAC when they are so picky sometimes about this sort of thing


    Mr_Spud

  • TrickleCharge
    TrickleCharge Posts: 502 ✭✭✭✭
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    @Mr_Spud said:
    What about this one? It straight graded and has a CAC sticker and all that, but if you turn it upside down it looks like an A. I really like this coin and the scratch/graffiti doesn’t bother me, but I wonder how it got by PCGS and CAC when they are so picky sometimes about this sort of thing


    I would call it a scratch as to me it isn't obviously intentional. If it's enough to detail it depends on who's looking at the coin and how bad it looks at different angles and lighting.

  • Sapyx
    Sapyx Posts: 2,619 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    It depends entirely on its appearance - are the scratches "random", or to they seem to line up in some kind of pattern or arrangement?

    Obviously, a coin cannot record the "intent" of whoever or whatever scratched it. Statistically, the probability of a bunch of "random" scratches lining up to form a pattern of some kind is small, but not zero (three random scratches happening to line up to form the letter "A", for example). So some of the things branded as "graffiti" by the TPGs will in truth have been caused by random scratches. But this is irrelevant because, as with most things with the TPGs, it is the appearance that matters.

    Waste no more time arguing what a good man should be. Be one.
    Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius, "Meditations"

    Apparently I have been awarded the DPOTD twice. B)

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