Posted 05/17/2025 09:00 am
Thanks for responding.
As I understand it, as dies wear they can develop imperfections creating small spots which can eventually turn into flow lines, sometimes called starburst. These are not the same as die cracks, die breaks etc.
I think my gold buffalo with its tiny spots came from a die that was starting to wear, would not grade MS70. I don't want it graded anyway..
Here is my 1995 Olympic die taken out of service due to what the mint called "starburst" spots. I can see them when I zoom in on the die face. On proof coins these tiny defects are more obvious I think.
Below is better pic of the imperfections on my buffalo magnified 10x removed from capsule. I bought it in 2023 for $2,400. My local coin dealer used his XRF to verify it's genuine. It's worth over $3,000 now just melt value so that's good.
As I understand it, as dies wear they can develop imperfections creating small spots which can eventually turn into flow lines, sometimes called starburst. These are not the same as die cracks, die breaks etc.
I think my gold buffalo with its tiny spots came from a die that was starting to wear, would not grade MS70. I don't want it graded anyway..
Here is my 1995 Olympic die taken out of service due to what the mint called "starburst" spots. I can see them when I zoom in on the die face. On proof coins these tiny defects are more obvious I think.
Below is better pic of the imperfections on my buffalo magnified 10x removed from capsule. I bought it in 2023 for $2,400. My local coin dealer used his XRF to verify it's genuine. It's worth over $3,000 now just melt value so that's good.
Edited by livingwater
05/17/2025 12:00 pm
05/17/2025 12:00 pm
