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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;ToughCOINS, post: 2774023, member: 20480&quot;]An absence of flow lines is not indicative of cleaning.&nbsp; Coins struck with newly manufactured dies had no flow lines on them. </p><p><br /></p><p>Flow lines were imparted upon the planchet by negative topography in the dies, resulting from radial erosion of the dies as material flowed toward the rim from the center of the prior coins struck with those dies.</p><p><br /></p><p>As for evidence of cleaning, it can sometimes be difficult to discern between normal wear and cleaning, but not often.&nbsp; Conclusive evidence usually comes not from the areas where one first focuses on what doesn&#039;t look right, but on other important, yet seemingly unrelated traits.&nbsp; </p><p><br /></p><p>One obvious example would be a coin with AU detail, and absolutely no luster whatsoever . . . most definitely a victim of cleaning, whether chemical or abrasive.</p><p><br /></p><p>A more subtle example might be a coin exhibiting more substantial removal of material from the coin&#039;s lower lying fields than from its high points . . . usually by a coin doctor trying to remove signs of spotting / corrosion in isolated areas while attempting to preserve relief, and connote a higher grade.&nbsp; I don&#039;t see this often, but such coins are out there.</p><p><br /></p><p>There are many other signs of cleaning, best learned through observation.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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