Wear Or Weak Strike? - Coin Community Forum

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Author	Replies: 4 / Views: 1,193
busthalf Pillar of the Community United States 1304 Posts	Posted 09/13/2009 8:45 pm I seem to have trouble in determining a very good AU-58 from a MS-60 when it comes to determining if it's wear or a weak strike. I mainly collect bust halfs. Any suggestions on how to tell the difference. Report this Post to the Staff

TreasHunt Pillar of the Community United States 2540 Posts	Posted 09/14/2009 07:05 am wow, tough question. The easiest way is to look for luster. In this instance, on the high points. Report this Post to the Staff
SeatedNut Pillar of the Community United States 2797 Posts	Posted 09/14/2009 08:24 am Just about every AU-58 coin I've seen outshines an MS-60. The strike can be hammered, yet it loses uncirculated status from a small amount of wear on the highest points of the design. As TH mentioned, look for undistrubed luster on the high points. Look at these points from various angles. If they appear shiny/smooth and the surrounding area remains frosted, the coin may not grade unc. This can only be done with the coin in-hand. If trying to make this determination from photos, it's exponentially more difficult. Personally, 9 times out of 10 I'd prefer that AU-58 over the MS60. Report this Post to the Staff
SsuperDdave Moderator United States 23522 Posts	Posted 09/14/2009 09:45 am Bust halves are particularly difficult, as their strike tends to be a bit flat to begin with. Look for the condition of the clasp, talons and the sharpness of the lines in the shield (if you have the coin in-hand). There should be a certain luster to the surfaces of the lettering and devices on an Uncirculated coin which disappear almost immediately in circulation. It's pretty much impossible to tell a good AU Bustie from Mint State in a picture. Report this Post to the Staff
Bilbo Pillar of the Community United States 812 Posts	Posted 09/14/2009 2:52 pm Telling light wear from a weak strike will depend on the luster or lack thereof on the high points. This can be hard, especially from a photograph. Telling an AU-58 from a MS-60 is easy. The former will be a very attractive coin. The latter will have not been circulated, but will have numerous and/or severe and distracting bag marks. I've wondered if a coin starting out as MS-60 is then lightly circulated, would it then be body-bagged by TPGs as "damaged?" Report this Post to the Staff
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