polished or unpolished coin?

Hello

If an uncirculated coin has some vivid luster to it, but the luster is somewhat chaotic, does that generally indicate that the coin may have been polished or somehow the surface of the coin was manipulated?

For example,I've seen some uncirculated coins w/ a crisp beam of luster that cartwheels cleanly around the coin when the coin's maneuvered under a light source.

Differently, I have this War Nickel, it's not a very special coin or anything, but I am wondering about it b/c it has a good amount of luster, it's just, when I rotate it under the light, it's not like a nice, clean spoke/beam of luster, it's more like a big splash of luster with a bunch of smaller/sloppy cartwheels, and it makes me feel like maybe it was polished or something, I don't know, it's as if the luster has been broken or something.

I threw in a pic, but I don't know if that'll be too helpful since it's sitting still. Thanks

 

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lets see the reverse.

 

here ya go

 

Straight off the press the luster should be all around the coin. After age, toning and surface contaminants can affect the luster. Not having that brilliant flashy luster like a freshly minted coin is not necessarily an indication a coin has been polished, whizzed, or otherwise messed with. From your pics, I do not see anything wrong with that coin. Am I missing something?

 

Thank you, sir. If anything, it's my perception that's probably off here, in all fairness. I was just expecting a crisper cartwheel effect.

 

You try looking so crisp and shiny after 70+ years

 

Nice shot of the reverse. Looks good to me.

 

That is one mighty fine looking coin. I'm not into Jefferson's, but if I were I would like them to all look like this.

Dave

 

That's what I always tell myself when I start to get too critical with a 150+ year old coin. After all, when I'm 150 I won't be in as good of shape as the coin, even if it's a PO01!

By the way, nice nickel @Blue Lue Boyle

 

Nothing wrong with that nickel. I always feel the luster on the war nickels is different. It's a different alloy, so maybe that's why. Even roll searching you can just spot the war nickels quicker because they just have a different look.

I see you're a new member @Blue Lue Boyle, welcome!