A Discussion About Surfaces Jason Poe This will be the first part of a 2 part discussion on surfaces. This week, we will talk about original surfaces and what to look for. Next week, we will discuss altered and problem surfaces. It is my contention that you must thoroughly understand what original surfaces look like before you can really understand what's wrong with an altered coin. ORIGINAL SURFACES The surface of a coin is vitally important- most collectors overall prize originality in their coins. In the first part of this discussion, let us examine a few original, beautiful coins. Smooth original surfaces do not definitely prove the coin was never cleaned or mistreated, but they go a long way to establish that. There are many different “looks” that original circulated coins have. The Capped Bust Half dollar reverse shown below is a perfect circulated coin. Note how smooth the fields all are, and the deep even gray coloration. When buying circulated coinage, this is the type of surface you want to find. There are a multitude of textures which may appear on the surfaces of coins. The smooth, well preserved surfaces of the top Bust Half below are among the most desirable. The Franklin half shown below has typical surfaces for a well preserved silver coin. There are also finely textured surfaces, such as the close-up of a semi-prooflike Walking Liberty half shown below. The texture on this coin is highly unusual, but very attractive. Other surfaces may show strong flowlines from a late die state coin, such as the 1831 Bust Half shown below. The luster on this coin is best described as “coarse,” although it shines well in the light. Next, look at the 1838 Reeded Edge CBH shown below. The surfaces are still perfectly original, as indicated by their deep grey coloration. But look closer: the fields exhibit a number of fine tickmarks. While this is a natural effect from circulation, it is unattractive. Marked surfaces on a coin will tend to discount the value of the coin, but not the grade. A circulated coin is generally graded almost exclusively by the amount of wear it has – surface smoothness almost never detracts from the grade. (Perfectly original 1829/7 CBH reverse) (Typical surfaces of a silver coin.) (Close-up of textured surfaces on a Walking Liberty half dollar) (Coarse flowlines abound on these surfaces) (An original white coin, with plenty of skin) (Original surfaces on an 1838 Reeded Edge Half, but with some circulation marks) Copper surfaces come in two different varieties – the much scarcer Red color (abbreviated RD), and the more common Brown color (BN). Intermediate coins are labeled Red/Brown (RB), which means the surfaces are between 5% and 95% red. As copper ages, it tends to gain a brown or greenish oxide layer. Shown below are three original copper coins. On the left, the surfaces are an original red color. The second coin is a red-brown coin. The red remains in the protected areas, but large amounts of the surface are an attractive, rich brown color. Finally, the third coin is fully and unabashedly brown. Even a just-barely-AU coin with only the faintest traces of rub, such as the one shown below, will quickly turn a coin brown. (Left – cherry red cent, Middle – red-brown cent, Right – brown and toned half cent) Proof coins (or more accuractely, brilliant modern proof coins) are characterized by deep mirrors and cameo’d devices. In the pictures below, notice the textured surface of the cameo devices. Shown below is a 1962 Ultra Cameo proof Franklin. Notice the granularity, which produces a diffuse surface rather than the smooth mirrors of the surrounding fields. (Cameo proof devices on a 1962 UCAM Franklin) My brief descriptions of original surfaces should in no way be construed as sufficient for your education. Only by examining numerous original, accurately graded coins will you ever hope to become proficient at understanding coins. Next weekend, we will take a look at altered, cleaned, polished, and other problem surfaces.
Can we add original coins to this thread ? Very good thread for newbies and intermediate collectors . Even some more advanced collectors that haven't studied coin surfaces .
Mainebill - either those pictures are inaccurate, or that 1806 DBH does not have original surfaces (especially the obverse). It is far too light in color to be completely original. I don't think it was necessarily dipped, but it looks too have been washed at some point. The rest of them are quite attractive and original, though.
Is the photo is darker in hand. That one is a totally untouched example I bought at an estate auction years ago and had graded
Here's a couple quick iPhone pics then I remember this ones got a true view and is a coinfacts plate coin for the variety in vf 30
I love the idea of buying a coin with completely original surfaces. But on the flip side, I have bought some beautiful coins knowing they did not have original surfaces. Great write up!
Nice write up Jason. This is an area of interest for me, so I'll be very interested to read part II! Here's a raw large cent I picked up. The coin is chocolate brown. The pictures show the coin much lighter than it is. I'll be sending it in for grading soon.
Great write up, looking forward to pert 2. And WOAH! @jpcienkus that's a wicked obverse die crack! Or cracks is probably the better word...either way, you have to post that when it comes back from being graded.
