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 Replies: 8 / Views: 2,530 |
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Valued Member
Australia
59 Posts |
Last few days I went through all posts in this forum and got ideas about some errors. However, I am still not sure how to tell die crack from other PMD or scratch. My understanding is die cracks are more likely to be above surface beside it, while most PMD are grooves. However, looking at a coin, sometimes it's really difficult to tell is it below or above surface. I am still quite new to this area and had never actually see a die crack coin. Please forgive me if I missed something stand to reason or so. Thanks. |
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
877 Posts |
A die crack is an open line in the die. When a coin is stamped metal flows into the crack thus causing a raised (relief) line on the coin. Same with " Cuds" where part of the die has broken off. PMD usually removes metal or, sometimes shifts it around (so some could be raised but it has come from somewhere else on the coin, which will be incused [below the surface]). The only PMD that I could think of to give a raised surface would be where someone attacks it with a welder or gas torch and melts metal onto the surface. I haven't come across this but would not be surprised). Jeff Edited by Jeff
02/27/2012 12:23 am
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
4411 Posts |
Quote:
I haven't come across this but would not be suprised  With erkle and trout playing coin torturer in the back shed you never know what kind of horrific scaring a coin could have. |
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
515 Posts |
Same as trying to identify the difference between surface scratches (cleaning damage) and die polish lines. Sometimes it's very difficult to tell and even harder when you haven't got the coin in hand. Scratches are incuse and die polish is raised. Scratches are bad, die polish is good.
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Valued Member
 Australia
59 Posts |
Thanks guys.
So it looks like in most cases, something raised is good and incuse is bad. :-)
Just wondering what kind of magnifier are you using? I am using one about 30x but sometimes it's really hard to tell it's raised or incuse. Do I need to upgrade it?
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
4411 Posts |
30x should be plenty! What works sometimes is using a strong light and tilting the coin face so that in some angles you can see shadows from the detail. If there is a shadow from the line it is propably a crach. If there isn't then it is probably PMD. |
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
1607 Posts |
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Rest in Peace
United States
4078 Posts |
Jeff, you wrote one of the best and clearest definitions for a die crack! Thanks
Appleangel, great photo's. the naked eye can be deceived.
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Valued Member
Australia
59 Posts |
Cool, cool, cool! Light and shadow will make difference. I will try later. Thanks appleangel07. The photos are really detailed.
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Replies: 8 / Views: 2,530 |
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Posted 02/26/2012 11:00 pm
