Die striations v. hairlines

[CoolKarmaCoins-migration]

For very light lines in the fields of a coin, I find it very hard to distinguish between lines that were on the dies and pressed onto the coin versus hairlines perhaps "wiped" onto the coin with a cloth long ago. Yes, the die striations should be raised, but without a strong microscope there isn't much height, or depth, to detect. One of the clues I've used is if the lines go upto, but not onto, the devices, then likely they are die striations. Is this a good clue? What other clues does NCS use? Thanks.

 

CoolKarma

[CHRISS]

You have mentioned the 2 easy ways to determine what might be hairline scratches from potentially an improper cleaning and what might be die polishing struck into the surface of the coin.

 

Die polishing lines will often go up to the devices and legends, but stop there and not go over top of them. Hairlines will continue onto the devices.

 

Usually a hand held lense of as little as 3 to as much as 10 power should provide sufficient magnification to tell if the lines are raised to not.

 

The other practice NCS uses to identify the hairline scratches is experience. Looking at many coins that have hairline scratches will make those pieces stand out against those who may exhibit die polishing lines.

 

Chris, NCS