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Message:: [QUOTE="longnine009, post: 106461, member: 1886"]Flow lines are etchings in the dies from the planchets moving across it. They are microscopic and are what  gives a coin it's luster. Die polish or die scratches are  just that, scratches in the dies (but bigger heavier scratches than flow lines) from sand paper or something pretty abrasive. The scratches  are cut into the dies and so are raised on the coin.  Dies are "polished" usually to reduce damage from clashed dies. Hairlines are scratches on the coin put there after the coin was struck. Die polish were scratches on the dies, and so, are imprinted into the coin. They are raised and will also have a color similar to the rest of the coin. Hairlines are scratches cut into the coin and their color will not resemble the color of the rest of the coin. If you scratch a piece of existing metal the scratch stands out. Hair lines will stand out as well, from the rest of the coin.  Usually just  rocking it will be enough to see  hairlines. Offer to sell a BU coin to a dealer and rocking it slightly will probably be the first thing he does.[/QUOTE]