wxcoin, posted: "Die polish lines. If it was wire brushed I'd expect the lines to be also on the raised surfaces. Are you 100% sure of this?
IMHO someone tried to "clean" it with a pencil eraser, and did it some time ago. When I was a kid and didn't know any better, I did that.
I love these threads, first time posting in one. I thought die polish, too. But there is something going on at the bottom of the O. It *looks* like where a brush - if one was used - went up the edge of the O and possibly ran across the surface. The O does show some curious abrasion lines on it, albeit in a different direction than those in the field. I don't completely understand why the surfaces of the letters are not absolutely torn up if this is a wire brushing job. The lines *seem* to end perfectly where the letters were punched into the die... So, I don't know. I'd like to learn.
I used to have a copper wire brush that was more flexible than most hair bristle brushes. I used it for electronics when etching boards for my first computer in mid 70's. Never thought of it for coins until now "the diameter of the copper brush wire of Bridgold is much thinner than that of the conventional copper stranded wire. The diameter of the monofilament is 0.05 mm-0.07 mm, and the effect is also much softer than copper strands wire". From a manufacturer advertisement. Jim
Now, that could create striations that are essentially parallel. The bristles are fine enough, yet sturdy enough to avoid the sloppy cleaning marks, and mimic die artifacts.
This is close to what I remember, but it is likely too stiff by appearance. https://www.amazon.com/Pixiss-Scrat.../147-8227482-0627916?pd_rd_i=B07NK695CZ&psc=1 There is one to clean dentist drills that might be thinner copper fibers somewhere in the 30+ pages of these Jim
To my untrained eye, the lines on the coin appear to be raised which would indicate die polishing. There even appears to be evidence of a clash between the s and t which would explain the heavy polishing. There also appears to be scratches on top of the O that are of a different direction. The red flag that I see is absolutely no evidence of luster.
No, I'm not even sure if I took my daily pill this morning. But am sure that I ask myself the same question every evening.
I don’t believe there is an artisan good enough or a brush both small enough and stiff enough to put those lines on the pictured coin. Die polish.
That is what I still think it is—die polish. However, an artist with a very fine wire bush like @desertgem posted could create parallel lines that mimic die polish.
I am stumped at how any type of altered surface can stop at the devices, unless we are talking about a die struck fake. Even then it is a die issue.
I got you to back off your CORRECT opinion of what you saw. Lesson: Trust your own eyes! These raised lines were caused when the die was buffed. That's why as has been said they go under the letter. Answer: Other.
You are one sneaky dude! I guess that's a lesson to stick to your guns, keep your powder dry, and get in the first shot as long as it's accurate. Sorry for the wild west references - I watched Clint Eastwood in "Hang 'Em High" last night.
You are sneaky! These days I don't trust either eye; the glass one and the one with the patch over it!
Grit has some great show's High planes rider, was om the other night. Sat back and watched "The Missing" last night, Tommy Lee Jones plays an outstanding Lead roll.