What Are Die Markers?

As I've seen it stated by the top variety hunters here, first you have to identify the variety and confirm it with the markers. Seems to make sense. That said, often times the markers are different through the different die states. If you've noticed, Wexler and Coppercoins identify markers in different die states and stages. And as I've read, markers can be obliterated by circulation damage/wear. So sometimes, confirming a variety becomes very difficult if not impossible by those markers themselves. That's not to say you aren't sitting on the genuine thing. Just unable to confirm through generally accepted means; die markers.

Die markers can be on a variety coin, or they maybe missing. Why?

If an event happened to a die pair, the polishing may create die scratches, a clash might leave an outline of the opposite sides devices or sometimes cause a die to crack.

While handing a die may get a die gouge in the field some place.

A die crack maybe the start a chain of events, crack/chip/breaks/retained Cud and finally a Cud when the edge of the die breaks off.

Markers like die scratches are helpful, but and flatten in the open fields with continued use.

Polishing can remove clashes. But gouges, cracks/chips/breaks/retained Cuds and finally Cuds are not something that will go away. So markers can happen during the mid part of the life of the die.

Coins struck before this event, will not have the later coins markers.

Some markers may go away by polishing, adding new die scratches and as the die ages, die flow lines will start to appear. (yes even die flow lines that are distinct, can be used) But keep in mind, each die goes through the same events.

A die crack needs to be in an exact spot, not just close. (then it might be a different die)

Die dots, scratches may come and go away, but look close to the devices and inside of devices they may still be there because they don't flatten as fast when they are not out in the open part of a die.

Thanks, that clarifies a lot.