I've been coin collecting seriously since I retired 5 years ago. And been a CT member since 2019. When I first started I made many of the tyro mistakes well-documented in these forums and learned from them all. But I like to think I've learned much more than that from a combination of looking at lots of coins, extensive reading, and digesting the wisdom shared in these forums. That wisdom includes how to look at coins and interpret what is visible. So here's an example of that acquired knowledge and experience from the recent Summer FUN show. I was looking for a replacement for the current Variety 4 (1860-73) Liberty Seated Half Dime in the Type Set. Only saw one that might have met the criteria residing in the case of a well-known dealer. The coin (shown below) was in a NGC PF-65 CAMEO holder and was very attractive to the naked eye despite being something of a marginal cameo. Under the glass, the obverse showed what might have been either scratches in the slab, hairlines from an old wipe, or die polish lines - all encompassing the entirety of the obverse fields. These lines were very heavy and not visible to my naked eye. The reverse was perfect. After identifying the recognizable and very few slab scratches, hairlines were eliminated since they didn't extend over the devices and were much too heavy to be hairlines. Plus, it was just unlikely that the TPG would straight-grade or not net-grade the coin if these lines had been hairlines. Finally, I concluded these lines were raised above the surface of the field, thus incuse in the die and were extremely heavy die polish lines. This analysis took no more than 90 seconds. After which I thanked the dealer and passed on the coin. When I returned home, I checked Al Blythe's book The Complete Guide to Liberty Seated Half Dimes and found the following entry for 1873: "I have seen specimens where the entire obverse die has very pronounced die polishing lines." A few years ago I would have purchased this coin and later regretted it. I have the CT members to thank for at least part of my improved skills at reading and interpreting coin clues. So, thank you all you contributors to CT!
No regrets for die polish lines........mucho regrets for hairlines. Been there, done that........the guys on board here are much learned in their skills of detection.
I agree. Die polish lines don't disqualify a coin for me as a general rule. But the lines on this coin were really heavy, if "heavy" can be used for such a small coin.
It’s hard to say “no” to a coin which is right there on the dealers table and still missing in your set. I think you made the right decision though as it appears to be only borderline cameo and you didn’t like the surfaces when you first looked at it. You’ll find another one…
