Detecting Improperly Cleaned Coins (Help Needed!)

Hey, I was hoping some of the resident experts might chime in on this one.

I saw this coin on ebay a few days ago. I realized that PCGS blessed it -- however the lines in the obverse field reminds me of what improperly cleaned (scrubbed) coins look like.

Are these lines a natural phenomena and not scrub lines? Or was PCGS just being liberal with their grading standards (I have to admit that I've seen better looking PCGS graded coins marked as "Genuine Not Gradable"). I've heard of some people refer to lines in coins as "Flow Lines" sometimes ... what's a flow line and are these lines flow lines?

Thanks for any feedback as I am interested in learning!

 

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by the way ... the lines I am referring to are the parallel lines in the field right in front of lady liberty's face

thanks!

 

Flow lines are raised lines on a coin that are caused by erosion of the surface of the die. Flow lines are radial lines (lines which radiate out from the center of the coin) so they are not parallel to other flow lines.

Hairlines, on the other hand, are recessed into the surface of the coin. Hairlines are not usually radial lines and they often are parallel to other hairlines. Hairlines can be straight, curved, circular, etc. depending on how the person wiped or scrubbed the coin.

The lines on your coin appear to be hairlines. Most CBHs (Capped Bust Half Dollars) have been cleaned at some point in their history. That is why the TPGs give some latitude to these coins and don't automatically bodybag a lightly cleaned CBH.

 

I suspect PCGS saw these as die polish lines which are raised on the coin like the Flow lines, but are most often parallel to each other. Rather coarse polish ( even emery grit) were used in early die polishing.

Jim

 

Yes, I should have also mentioned die polish lines. Thanks, Jim.

WL, you have the actual coin and all we have to look at is photos. You should be able to distinguish whether the lines are raised (die polish) or incuse (hairlines or scratches).

 

Hey ... thanks for all this info ... i dont have the coin (i didnt buy it) ... but was curious about it

 

GDJ, that's what I thought!

It's disturbing to me that PCGS seems very inconsistent with the "Genuine, Not Gradable (Improperly Cleaned)" tag.

I think that saying "well, most of the coins in the series were improperly cleaned ... so we'll just let them all slide" is bogus.
I've seen coins that look much better than this one body bagged for "improper cleaning".

I think that primary to any TPG company's reputation is consistency in grading -- so i hate seeing examples like this.