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Message:: [QUOTE="Insider, post: 2585755, member: 24314"]Any lapping done to the die at the mint will change the die in some way.  Depending on several things, lapping of the die at the mint can range from: 1. Hardly any evidence on the coin .2. Mirror reflectivity.3. Microscopic raised polish lines.4. Larger raised polish lines.5. Parts of the coin's design polished off the die and therefore missing from the coin. In past thread discussions, there have been arguments about whether die polish lines can cross on a coin.  One numismatic scholar who has authored books on the mint and operations believes that POLISHING LINES FROM LAPPING DO NOT CROSS; HOWEVER, ANY OTHER POLISHING DONE TO A DIE MAY CROSS AND THEY USUALLY WILL. In order to tell the difference between Mint-made "lines" on a coin and lines from abrasion, all you need to do is to tip and rotate the coin while using magnification.  I use a stereo microscope.  It gives me depth perception.  FOR SIMPLICITY: Lines on the coin that are raised are from the Mint.  Lines that are incuse are either from a polished hub (same color as the coin's surface), adjustment marks, scratches or hairlines.  Scratches and hairlines look nothing like the previous two.  Unless the surface is toned or etched, hairlines and scratches are shiny.  Depending on how they happened and their severity, PM cleaning or scratches generally go over a coin's relief leaving a "halo outline" of original surface where the field and relief meet.  Mint die polish can run right up to the relief (incused part of the die), jump the hole in the die, and continue on the other side of the relief.  Hope this helps.    [/QUOTE]

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