Scratching Coins After Sorting? Is This A Thing?

Personal tracking mark of a coin collecting snob. You're right that someone may not think the same way. I will do markings on CRH coins. Those I have set aside to give my "second look" to. I use a marker on those, usually about 100 per box. Those coins aren't ANYTHING to shout about, no runs, no hits and no errors...at all, just a spendable chunk of change. Those that damage the coin, are wanting a distinct marking. In four years CRH, 750K plus cents 120K plus nickels (gave up earlier this year keeping exact count) I have only ONE TIME came across any of my marked coins, ever! That one time was a local bank dump and two weeks later getting rolls from same bankcorp that roll their own when needed, otherwise if returned via Brinks (et al), NEVER. Haven't been marking many lately, why bother?

Many coin machines caused scratches on the coins. The worst were parking meters. Being outside, open to the elements, crud got in and coin damage followed. The coin didn't just drop in like 1980's and newer machines, you had to manually force the crank and it rubbed the coin on both sides as it was forced in.

Up to the early 70's, there were multitudes of other low-tech mechanical candy, gumball, and peanut machines that you had to turn a crank and presto-scratcho, ruined coin. I remember using two hands when I was a kid because they were so hard to turn.

Nickels were also used much more then. In 1971 you could play pinball for 5 cents, 6 games for a quarter. In 1961 you could get a regular chocolate bar or a 16 oz. bottle of RC Cola for 10 cents, (plus 2 cents deposit), no tax. In the late 50's, you could buy a hamburger, fries and drink for 25 cents. Honest, I remember from summer vacations.