1995 D Quarter - Most amazing detail I have ever seen - but whats with the surface

Please tell me what is going on here - what is up with the hair and the scratches (but the details)

Thanks

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

Hello Willymac and welcome to Cointalk. I am no expert but it looks like the lines are die polishing lines or possibly just uniform surface scratching. Could also be what I believe are called "striations" ?? which is when there is actually differences/problems in the metal planchet the coins was struck from. Unfortunatly either way it is not worth much if anything over face value unless you find a collector looking for odd error coins. Keep on looking though cause they are out there. My best find was a double struck penny which I sold for over $150! Good luck!
J

 

I agree the "lines" are more die polishing or rather retooling to milk every coin they could from the dies. One thing to consider is if the lines are in the metal or raised or gouged in as that would be PMD or are they flat and smooth? Then it would be retooling of the dies. I also think there is some planchet issues going on here with regard to the color. Some of the pattern of "lines" seem to suggest an improper mix of copper and nickel alloy. Perhaps some of the clad nickel layer is a bit thin in spots allowing the copper to bleed thru like a bad paint job. Especially around the date. Even if there is copper bleeding thru the value won't change just the look. It's not like it's struck on the wrong metal planchet or with a wrong denomination.

 

I say PMD.