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?
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
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.
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
I am referring to coins like these: http://www.google.com/search?q=pcgs...x%3FsaleNo%3D131238%26lotIdNo%3D27005;450;602 And these sold by heritage: http://www.ha.com/c/search-results.zx?N=790+231+51&chkNotSold=0&Ntk=SI_Titles&Nty=1&Ntt=graffiti So, 'graffiti' is a type of PMD?
So, this: http://coins.ha.com/c/item.zx?saleNo=1173&lotIdNo=174001 is a scratch right on the coin. Not a raised mark coming from etching on the coin die itself. Correct?
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? Seems dumb to me.
Might be the difference between intentional (and perhaps "meaningful" PMD) from perhaps something like a large, unintended gouge.
I'm pickin up what you're puttin down. I'm just not diggin it. I could see certain people doing this in their parents' basement..