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Message:: [QUOTE="johnmilton, post: 4951011, member: 101855"]With the possible exception of Proof coin planchets, many flans have small marks on them before the coin was struck. In the vast majority of instances, those marks are flattened by the dies when the coin is made. When those marks are not flattened, it almost always occurs in the highest areas of the design. The reason is that the highest areas on the coin are stuck by the deepest areas on a die. If the dies or too shallow, or insufficient pression is used to strike the coin, the marks will remain. Some coins are known to have pre-strike planchet marks on them on a regular basis. The Philadelphia Sesquicentennial commemorative half dollar is one of those coin. This piece was struck with dies that had shallow relief. The result was a less than perfectly executed design. This piece is graded MS-64. There are number marks on Washington’s cheek, but most them were on the planchet before the coin was struck. [ATTACH=full]1190048[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=full]1190049[/ATTACH] How can you tell the difference between pre-strike planchet marks and post mint scratches? That involves some art, science and personal interpretation. In general, a sharply defined mark, like the one on Calvin Coolidge’s forehead in post mint damage. The sort of mushy looking marks on Washington’s cheek were probably there before the coin was struck, but opinions may differ. So far as the marks on the rims of the dimes in the OP, I would say that most of those were there before the coin was struck, but this is just an opinion on my part. Here is an MS-65 graded Bust Dime from my collection. It too has simlar marks on the obverse. You can't see much of the reverse rim becauset the coin is in an old NGC holder. The piece was also struck with rusty dies which accounts for the rough area on Ms. Liberty's cheek. [ATTACH=full]1190050[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=full]1190051[/ATTACH][/QUOTE]

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