Does die polishing have any impact on grade? I have a prooflike 1946-S with cameo appearance and mirrored fields, except those fields are filled with lines from die polishing. I know it's not from cleaning because the lines are raised. Attached are some pics. The scanner hides the cameo and mirror, so the coin looks better in hand, but there are also more polish lines than the scanner picks up.
Don't think that is due to die polishing at all - just plain honest wear and possible cleaning. But that was a heckuva coin when new.
die polish Die polish marks are not supposed to affect the technical grade of a coin. The reason for this is that the coin was minted that way, and the grading scale only takes into consideration damage done post minting. The same logic applies to planchet flaws and die cracks. Now, if you want to discuss the market grade, that's a different story. Many collectors do not mind minor die polish marks, as they often do not detract from the beauty of a coin. However, severe die polish marks may make a coin difficult to sell, and therefore it may have to have an attractive price on it to move it. So, the market grade can be affected. If I were selling a coin with any kind of significant die polish marks to a sight-unseen buyer, I would certainly mention them. I hope this helps.
Thanks for the info, borgovan. Your reply also helped me clarify a difference between technical and market grading. Sorry my scans were not good enough to clearly show the coin. Best evidence these are raised lines is the line up from the N in CENTS to the E in MONTICELLO. Note how the line appears in the recesses of the E, something unlikely to occur if it were a scratch.
For what it is worth...the dies in the year 1952 were heavily polished with diamond dust..the Franklin Half die is the more famous of these..it is said that the die polish marks are so fine that Cameo Proofs exist that can be viewed under the microscope that reveal such polishing marks....Years ago, I searched and searched and at last I found one....I sold the Cameo Proof sets many years ago for a nice chunck of change! Those my friend are exactly what Doug mentioned....once you see the polishing marks, you will never forget them... Great nickle at one time..what a beauty it was ! RickieB
Perhaps then using the term "die polish" is incorrect... what is the correct term for raised lines that are larger than those produced by die polish? Die scratches? It's a stunning coin in hand actually, no traces of wear at all.
