1814 Capped Bust Dime -- Scratched?

some weakness in strike especially on the reverse. I dont think those reverse scratches are adjustment marks.

AU53. nice early date specimen!

Possibly graffiti?

Could be, and old graffiti if it is.

Doesn't appear bad enough to detail grade it. The AU53 grade suggested above sounds good to me.

And the worst part is, we may never know

I think a straight grade isn't out of the question, and whether or not CAC stickered it really depends on what grade the TPG gave it.

I have never seen adjustment marks on smaller silver coins of the 1800's.
Adjustment marks, whenever I have seen them, are on larger silver coins of the previous century. Always parallel, although two sets of them may cross each other.
Interesting is the fact that the scratches do not affect the eagle - only the field. Coinfrog and Keith 12 together may be on the right track to a good explanation.

Also interesting is the field disturbance (from the die?) in front of Lib's face. I kind of agree: clashing could be the reason.

AU-53 OK for me as well.

Thanks, everyone. Numismatic Student: Thanks so much for detailing your analysis of the strike on one side of the coin. Coinfrog, I appreciate your sentiments about buying the coin and not the holder--this one spoke to me as a type coin and I really like it--the disturbance on the obverse to the left of Liberty's forehead and especially the luster and color on the reverse. The coin certainly has "character" and fits in well with a higher end circulated type collection of Half Cents, cents, dimes, and half dollars I am looking to assemble. Everyone else, thanks for identifying the marks as scratches, possibly graffiti. Jpbone raises a good point about shrinking down the image, which more accurately reflects the coin's real life appearance. The marks don't bother me so much, and they are toned over--I guess I was wondering why PCGS and CAC don't seem to mind these marks when they mind other marks. I understand coin appreciation is subjective and very personal, which is why I value your opinions on here! I am just looking to see where the lines are with these things for PCGS and NGC. I am starting to wonder if the graders themselves make these decisions with their own personal predilections (the grader really likes the coin's other merits so much that he or she is able to "overlook" the scratches) helping to inform them.

Considering the scratches are only about 2 mm long and are probably barely noticeable in hand, I'm not surprised that it straight graded. The only question would be whether the grader felt they were deliberate, thus warranting a graffiti designation. It's a beautiful coin, and I would have been willing to assume the marks were random, too. Nice addition to your type collection!