How do you tell the difference? Just wondering as many of you seem able to tell the difference pretty easily. Thanks, Ryan
Depends on a number of critical areas. For instance, New Orlean minted Morgans are noted for their "weak strike" compared to the other mints. This conclusion didn't come immediately, it came after years of looking at their coins versus Morgans minted in Frisco, Carson City, or Philly. Take early 1920 Lincolns. Mint strikes for D and S mints were weak and sloppy. Again, as collectors looked for high grades, it became evident that certain dates and certain mints had weak strikes, often confused with wear. More recent. IKE's had a weak strike and finding a 1971-P in MS65 or above is not easy. Wear will show a rub, ticks, nicks, bag marks and/or blemishes. A weak strike MS will not exhibit these detractions as one that is in AU condition.
I'm not good at this distinction myself, but those who are often talk about interruption of luster on high points on AU coins, whereas luster is intact at those points, even on mushy strikes, if coin is uncirc. Don
In most cases, it comes from specific knowledge of a specific type. Like Midas mentioned, the New Orleans mint was known for producing weak strikes. Sometimes it is also easier to tell under the inspection of a 10x magnification.
From PCGS's section on coin lingo, luster is defined as: "In numismatics, the amount and strength of light reflected from a coin’s surface or its original mint bloom. Luster is the result of light reflecting on the flow lines, whether visible or not." Eye appeal is one of my overall important factors. If I don't like looking at it, I don't buy it.
On weak strikes the roundness of high points will still be there but they will be more shallow looking. With wear it will be a flat spot rather than a shallow spot. Coins struck from worn dies will also show better rims than what the grade appears to be. You'll also see in worn dies elongnated areas such as stars stretching out or stars disappearing. This is because dies wear out the opposite way that coins do. The lowest areas you see on a coin--the fields and things closest to to fields-- are the highest areas on the dies and the planchets moving across the dies are wearing those areas out first. In the end, it shouldn't matter if a coin is really an MS60 struck from weak or worn dies. If the coin looks XF it's worth XF money and not MS money.
