proof coin grading

[michael]

it all depends on the specific coin in question

 

then it all boils down to this

 

haligon hits hairlines haze heyeappeal..............

 

 

sincerely michael

 

what do you think within your proof coin area of speciality?

[TomB]

Hairlining limits the grade more than anything else and is the number one thing that most people who are not familiar with grading proof coinage will overlook. Subsequently, correctly graded proof coinage will look undergraded to those not intimately familiar with hairlines.

[ksteelheader]

Could someone elaborate on hairlining? What exactly is it, and how does it occur?..Thanks, Ken

[PQSeated]

I can't grade proof coins at all in the 66-70 grades. Can anyone honestly tell the difference between a 68, 69, and 70?

[EVillageProwler]

Ken,

 

Hairlines are very fine scratches that exist on the fields of coins due to unloving handling, usually from wiping or other forms of cleaning.

 

In many cases, and especially so with proofs, they can be so fine that they are invisible under certain types of angles and lighting conditions. When viewing coins, it is imperative to remember TWO critical points:

 

1. A coin has THREE sides (not germane to this thread).

2. Swivel the coin under proper lighting conditions to see subtle marks (like hairlines) and frost breaks.

 

Caveat: be careful to distinguish hairline scratches from mint-made "distractions" like lint marks or die striations.

 

EVP

 

[gmarguli]

Can anyone honestly tell the difference between a 68, 69, and 70?

 

Yes. The problem is that most buyers cannot. Also, for modern proofs I feel that PCGS is GIVING out the PR69 grade to practically all coins now. Since you need a PR70 to make money they give the lower grade out and hold back on the PR70 grades.

 

I do wish the grading services would tighten up on the PR69 grade. Since the coins are minted so perfect why not raise the bar for the super grades.

[EVillageProwler]

Greg,

 

I doubt that it would be easy to tighten up on the 69 grade due to the extreme compression of quality difference between grades at that lofty level.

 

But, then again, I'm no grader...

 

EVP

 

[ksteelheader]

EVP, thanks for the explanation on hairlines. I now have a better understanding. Now, another question on proof coins. I have noticed, especially on 1964 Kennedys, lines of some origin that seem to be buried in the mirrored surfaces of the fields. Would they possibly be from the planchlet?....Ken

[EVillageProwler]

I suppose it is possible that these lines are from over-polished planchets, but I haven't seen enough of this stuff to say how likely this is.

 

Of course, if the lines are raised, then they would be die striations...

 

EVP

 

[Klectorkid]

Can you explain how to tell the differance between hairlines and die striations?

[gmarguli]

Can you explain how to tell the differance between hairlines and die striations?

 

Hairlines are cause by mishandling post minting. Striations are the result of polishing the dies which left marks (lines) in the dies. These lines were then transferred to the coin when minted. These lines are raised.

 

Planchets can also show striation marks. The cause is the same, but the lines are incuse due to the planchet being polished.