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 Replies: 12 / Views: 1,997 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1584 Posts |
What guidelines exist for identifying hairlines on coins?
Is it a case of "you know it when you see it" or is there more to it?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1436 Posts |
Hairlines are caused when the surface of the coin is wiped using a rag, The wiping causes surface scratches to occur. Depending on the pressure applied, the scratches can be very minor, to quite severe. I have found the best way to see hairline scratches is by taking the coin outside and viewing it w/ natural sunlight. There are other light sources that can be used, but sunlight is the best IMHO. It's much harder to see them using a lamp/light indoors unless the scratches are pretty noticeable.
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Valued Member
United States
452 Posts |
I can see hairlines very well, along with most other imperfections, under ~50 watt halogen bulb in my desk lamp. I've found fluorescent bulbs are the poorest of all. They seem to hide everything.
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Moderator
 United States
23522 Posts |
Quote:
Is it a case of "you know it when you see it" or is there more to it?
Essentially, yes, because one has to contrast them with die polishing. I often mention the fact that deliberate hairlines usually end before touching the devices (even when you can see brushmarks on the devices themselves), while die polishing is often heaviest at that point, but this is not a hard-and-fast sign. I also recommend either halogen lighting or the good old-fashioned Sun for bringing out hairlines. They're often visible only from one angle. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
784 Posts |
Gotta be a newb here... can you expand on hairlines a bit for me? Are we talking about grading proof coins only or looking for for signs of cleaning...? Thanks all!
Russ
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
I went based on the assumption that noD's question was in regard to the hairlines associated with mechanical cleaning of a coin by brushing.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
If on a Proof coin, almost any marks or scratches are noticable. There are people that have attempted to fix a Proof coin by rubbing it with a cloth. Or even cotton. If done very carefully, the markings are very faint yet noticeable under magnification. With standard coins hairline markings could be from almost anything. A person just carrying a coin could leave such marks if carried in a pair of jeans. Wipping with a cloth to get dirt off. Rubbing to see details better. Manyh things can cause hairline scratches on a coin. And sometimes those woody grained features on some coins are mistaken for scrathces. Quote:
What guidelines exist for identifying hairlines on coins? Not sure there is really anything like a guideline. If you can see them, then they are there. Edited by just carl
01/28/2014 1:03 pm
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Valued Member
United States
452 Posts |
While searching to build sets, I've seen a LOT of hairlines on the proof halves and quarters from 50-64. I think a lot of the original packaging was mishandled.
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21786 Posts |
Most people know what hairlines look like in black paint on cars in the sun. That's one reason why I have never owned a black car.
The best way to find hairlines on a coin is to use a point source of light.
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
7096 Posts |
There are actually 2 types of hair lines found on coins.
Raised and incused. the incused lines are due to the coin being polished and the raised lines are due to the Die being harshly polished before the coin is struck.
Incused are bad raised are OK
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1959 Posts |
There are a few different types of hairlines. Some are produced by deliberate polishing of the coin itself as mentioned. Some from die polishing at the mint. The type of hairlines that I run across the most, due to the type of collecting I do, is hairlines in old toned silver and old copper. This happens when an old coin that has developed a patina over time is, for example, taken out of an album and layed on a table. Then, when it is picked up, slid across the surface of the table. Very fine scratches are now visible because the newly exposed silver stands out in the nicely toned surroundings. You have to be careful not to disturb circulated coins patina. I see it happen all the time.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
784 Posts |
Makes sense. One thing I worry about is getting hairline scratches due to a clear Dansco window being removed over and again to put new coins into their place. I always try to be careful but... I'm sure it happens and will probably happen to me at some point. Good info!
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Quote:
Makes sense. One thing I worry about is getting hairline scratches due to a clear Dansco window being removed over and again to put new coins into their place. I always try to be careful but... I'm sure it happens and will probably happen to me at some point. Good info! A really common occurance with some Albums. Dansco may look great to some but their slides are flat and can actually do what you said. Same with many manufacturers such as Littleton or Harris. One more reason I like Whitman Albums. Not all but many have the slides sort of bent so they don't lie flat. Not a real lot of help if your coins are not pushed all the way into the slots. If your carefull, you can push most coins in so they lay on the rear slide which seldom if ever get moved. Wich I knew of a way to make all slides sort of bent longwise so they are raised away from the coins a small amount. |
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Replies: 12 / Views: 1,997 |
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Posted 01/27/2014 9:28 pm
