Give your coin the following test.
The cartwheel effect is a term that describes the rotating, windmill-like effect of light that mint state coins exhibit. ... Flow lines that occur during the coin striking process cause the cartwheel effect by reflecting the light off the surface of the coin.
How to See the Cartwheel Effect
To observe the cartwheel effect on an uncirculated coin, or one with remaining original gloss, follow these easy steps:
Obtain an uncirculated, or a coin with original gloss left on the coin.
Use a desk lamp or other single bulb lamp in a dark or dimly lit room. Other light from fluorescent lights or windows may make the cartwheel effect harder to observe.
Hold the coin approximately 18 to 24 inches underneath the lamp.
Tilt the coin at various angles to the light. You should see a pattern of rotating lighter versus a darker reflection of the light against the coin's surface as you tilt the coin. The cartwheel effect doesn't necessarily appear on all mint state coins since the effect is dependent on various factors that come together during striking.
If the coin has been plated this effect should not appear. HOWEVER it WILL appear on a toned coin.
Dan
Edited by Panther
09/20/2019 1:41 pm
Posted 09/19/2019 11:58 pm
Car dealership in my area send them out in mailers telling us to "bring in this lucky penny and scratch off big saving on the new model year"...
...I have several of them
