Mercury Dime Education: Is This Coin Polished?

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Author	Replies: 7 / Views: 485
Brandmeister Pillar of the Community United States 6498 Posts	Posted 03/09/2024 2:16 pm Having recently (and unknowingly) purchased a polished Mercury dime, I thought it would be a good idea to learn more about spotting them. I have a hard time telling the difference between a mint state coin and a polished coin. ebay sellers use a variety of photography techniques, including many that emphasize the luster or reflectiveness of a silver coin. The following coin is a good example of what I find confusing. This appears to be a mint state 1942 Mercury dime. The volume minted that year is huge, so many dimes were weakly struck or struck with worn dies. Liberty's face is soft on this coin. Is that caused by lighting? Strike? Polishing? https://www.ebay.com/itm/305427084685 fwiw, these guys seem to be reputable sellers. Report this Post to the Staff

IndianGoldEagle Bedrock of the Community United States 36741 Posts	Posted 03/09/2024 2:26 pm Looks like a nice frosty original BU coin. Nice chartwheel luster. Report this Post to the Staff
Coinfrog Bedrock of the Community United States 94367 Posts	Posted 03/09/2024 2:46 pm Lousy seller pics, but it looks BU to me. Report this Post to the Staff
paralyse Bedrock of the Community United States 12057 Posts	Posted 03/09/2024 4:24 pm I agree. Looks like a nice Uncirculated dime to me, at least MS64, if not MS65 obverse. The lighting might be hiding something but I don't see anything. Member ANA - EAC - TNA - SSDC - CCT #890 "Most of the things worth doing in the world had been declared impossible before they were done." -- Louis D. Brandeis Report this Post to the Staff
Brandmeister Pillar of the Community United States 6498 Posts	Posted 03/09/2024 4:34 pm Ok, so that at least sets a baseline in my brain for what a BU silver dime looks like under bright lighting. Thanks, guys. Report this Post to the Staff
Coinfrog Bedrock of the Community United States 94367 Posts	Posted 03/09/2024 4:45 pm You'd think a guy with 54K transactions could take better pics. Report this Post to the Staff
Brandmeister Pillar of the Community United States 6498 Posts	Posted 03/09/2024 5:15 pm Mr. Frog, if I had a nickel for every time I said that on ebay, I could probably retire. Their images are above average for coins priced under $100. I can't claim to be a great coin photographer, but the bar is pretty low on the Internet. Report this Post to the Staff
Errers and Varietys Bedrock of the Community United States 74060 Posts	Posted 03/09/2024 11:11 pm Looks fine to me. Errers and Varietys. Report this Post to the Staff
	Replies: 7 / Views: 485

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