Graffiti designations?

Discussion in 'Coin Chat' started by silentnviolent, Jul 10, 2013.

  1. silentnviolent

    silentnviolent accumulator--selling--make an offer I can't refuse

    I see some coins selling for good money in details holders with a 'Graffiti' designation. So... mint employees would 'improve' the dies with their initials or what have you? Does anyone know the story behind this designation?
     
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  3. non_cents

    non_cents Well-Known Member

    Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought a "graffiti" coin denotes one where the coin has been directly scratched/carved after leaving the mint, making it a form of PMD...I didn't think it refers to modifications made to the die that strikes the coin.
    http://www.ngccoin.com/details/glossary.aspx
     
  4. jloring

    jloring Senior Citizen

    You're correct... "graffiti" refers to the engraved markings found on coins, sometimes referred to as "counterstamped", though I always thought "graffiti" was somewhat poorer in quality, crudely done with any sharp instrument. Mostly just initials, but sometimes the name of a company or business. And for the romantics among us, "love tokens" would carry this practice to the extreme.
     
  5. BRandM

    BRandM Counterstamp Collector

    I also consider graffiti coins to be what non_cents posted. They're coins with slogans, initials, or markings of some kind scratched into them after entering circulation. Graffiti, counterstamps, and engraved coins are distinctly different from each other. I have both counterstamped and graffiti coins in my collection of Irish political tokens but inventory them in separate categories. Graffiti markings are the most crudely done of the three.

    Bruce
     
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  6. BRandM

    BRandM Counterstamp Collector

    (BC25).JPG
    Here's an example of a graffiti coin from my collection.

    Bruce
     
  7. Treashunt

    Treashunt The Other Frank

    YES, PMD like this example
     
  8. silentnviolent

    silentnviolent accumulator--selling--make an offer I can't refuse

  9. silentnviolent

    silentnviolent accumulator--selling--make an offer I can't refuse

  10. Tom B

    Tom B TomB Everywhere Else

    Graffiti is post-mint damage and has nothing to do with anything imparted onto the die.
     
  11. silentnviolent

    silentnviolent accumulator--selling--make an offer I can't refuse

    Wow then IMHO 'Graffiti' is a stupid designation. I've seen labels say 'details scratched' or damaged, etc... but since when do they attribute PMD when they don't even recognize many legitimate die varieties? :rolleyes: Seems dumb to me.
     
  12. non_cents

    non_cents Well-Known Member

    Might be the difference between intentional (and perhaps "meaningful" PMD) from perhaps something like a large, unintended gouge.
     
  13. silentnviolent

    silentnviolent accumulator--selling--make an offer I can't refuse

    I'm pickin up what you're puttin down. I'm just not diggin it. :cool:

    I could see certain people doing this in their parents' basement.. :rolleyes:
     
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