When a coin has been polished, is it true that the cartwheel effect is completely lost? Is it possible for a coin to be polished and maintain cartwheel luster?
Yes. The cartwheel effect is a result of minute ridges caused by metal flow radiating from a coin's center as the metal is pushed out to the collar during striking. They are often so delicate that any polishing removes them. Over dipping will cause the same problem because the oxidized metal on a coin's surface is removed and that affects the most delicate features the most.
Thanks for the information! I have been going through my silver dollars checking for problem coins... only 3 so far. hoping it stays that way.
Makes me cry everytime I see a polished coin... Bye bye cartwheels... I'll see you in that big 2x2 in the sky
I've got a 6 coin copper cent type set (except for the 1946 steelie) that has some of the older coins shined up. The Large cent and the early IHCs are polished and it is obvious. They never came close to BU state but it is unnerving to look at the shiny pennies in the plastic slab that they came in. Bruce
