Message:

<p>[QUOTE=&quot;GDJMSP, post: 398830, member: 112&quot;]When the US Mint first started issuing nickels they a hard time with them because the metal was so hard. Often the dies just shattered and the coins were plagued with die cracks, chips, excessive polishing etc. So finding one without any of this is unusual.</p><p><br /></p><p>Now the TPG&#039;s will grade coins regardless of things like die cracks and chips. And that&#039;s fine, but the old school tells us that things like that detract from a coin and they should no tbe graded any higher than MS64. Gem quality and higher, MS65 and up, is supposes to be reserved for coins that are well centered without planchet flaws, die cracks and chips. A Gem is just that, a Gem, and none of those things should be present.</p><p><br /></p><p>Worn dies are another matter. You can tell the amount of wear on a die in several ways. If the coin shows a lot of die polish marks that can indicate it because the dies aren&#039;t polished until they wear. The lettering on worn dies will often spread out and not be as crsip and clean as those on coins struck with newer dies. Sometimes the serifs in the letters will merge together or be missing. And sometimes the letters just change shape due to small chips around their edges. Details on coins struck with worn dies will be lacking, looking much like a weak strike. But if the other things are there then it is obvious that it was worn dies, not a weak strike.</p><p><br /></p><p>Hopefully than answers some of your questions.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

Your name or email address:

Do you already have an account?

• No, create an account now.
• Yes, my password is:
• Forgot your password?

Stay logged in