Die polishing lines - interesting feature or distraction? 1 1

[Lem E]

Curious as to how other collectors feel about this. Do you consider die polish lines an interesting feature on a coin or do you feel it distracts from the eye appeal? I have this 1948 S that shows some pretty heavy lines on the reverse and some on the obverse. I really don’t mind having this example because I think it adds an interesting piece to the collection, but I don’t think I would go out of my way to look for such examples. Maybe if I was collecting by die state it would be a different story. Just wondering how other members feel about this. 

Edited May 16, 2022 by Lem E
Sp

[RWB]

It's unique to every die, so there are hundreds of thousands of them. Occasionally useful for die matching, but not much other than amusement.

[numisport]

It"s a superb '48-S looks semi prooflike great coin they just don't make them anymore. 

[Lem E]

On 5/15/2022 at 7:45 PM, numisport said:

It"s a superb '48-S looks semi prooflike great coin they just don't make them anymore. 

Thanks. It definitely has some shine to it.

[Just Bob]

The amount and placement of the lines on this coin are distracting to me. I feel the same way about planchet adjustment marks on early dollars.

[Coinbuf]

While it can be interesting, I find die polish lines to be a negative to the eye appeal aspect.   How much it negatively affects eye appeal depends on the die polish itself, for me the worst is when the lines go both vertical and horizontal.

[J P M]

I am not a big fan of lines on Morgan's because they can be seen in hand but they don't show as much on Nickels unless you scope them up. Nice 48 by the way. 

[EarlyUS.com]

That kind and amount of die polish is not at all distracting!  I tend to really like the character that these add to the normal part of the minting process.

[The Neophyte Numismatist]

I look at die polishing lines and planchet adjustment marks also.  I think they are neat, and can add a level of interest.  They help to demonstrate the craft of the mint workers, and become a part of the story.  

If it were a question of me only being able to afford one of the coin type, I would select a coin without marks.  However, I happen to know that this is not your only nickel, so I think it's only additive to the stories your collection holds. 

[Lem E]

On 5/16/2022 at 2:58 PM, The Neophyte Numismatist said:

I look at die polishing lines and planchet adjustment marks also.  I think they are neat, and can add a level of interest.  They help to demonstrate the craft of the mint workers, and become a part of the story.  

If it were a question of me only being able to afford one of the coin type, I would select a coin without marks.  However, I happen to know that this is not your only nickel, so I think it's only additive to the stories your collection holds. 

I agree that if I were looking for a one and done type coin or something I would look for a clean piece. You can clearly see the lines in hand but this coin has enough eye appeal to overcome them. I do like having this piece just to have a coin with this type of character. 

[Cat Bath]

I have one.

They seemed to like it ATS and in NJ. (MS66+ & beaned)

My feeling on it is  

I'll keep it as an example of what not to do in the future.

Edited May 17, 2022 by Cat Bath

[RWB]

Still --- a very nice 1923-D

[Alex in PA.]

On 5/17/2022 at 2:26 AM, Cat Bath said:

My feeling on it is

I like it too.  A very nice coin.