Let's start a discussion for the weekend : What is a scratch?

Staple scratches typically are produced by low forces on a minuscule surface area, resulting in an exceedingly high pressure, compared to rubbing a coin as hard as one can between thumb and forefinger, for example.

Even microscopic hairlines exhibit the raised edges I described.

 

In an effort to make the definition shorter and more universally applicable to all subjects, here's another try:

A scratch, caused by sliding contact under pressure, is a plowed groove in the surface of an object, the displaced material from which rises to either side of the groove.

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Critiquing myself here . . . I just thought of a reason to remove mention of the "displaced material from which rises to either side of the groove."

In the case of scratching one's skin with a fingernail, the skin likely departs under the fingernail, and doesn't necessarily rise up either side of the scratch. The same might be said of certain types of digging implements, removing soil as they dig a trough . . .

A scratch, caused by sliding contact under pressure, is a plowed groove in the surface of an object.

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Well, the crucial point I was thinking of has been mentioned a couple of times now on page 2, (haven't gotten to page 3 yet). The term I was thinking of is "post strike", in my opinion, that has to be in there somewhere. Why ? A couple of reasons, one of which would be because it defines the time frame. In other words it can occur can any point in the coin's life after it leaves the dies. And reason 2 would be because it eliminates planchet scratches which are fairly common even though only a few are visible post strike. But some are so it needs to be included.

 

But not all adjustment marks are pre-existing. There are numerous coins, both US and world, that are known to have had their weight adjusted pre-strike and/or post strike. And some do have raised material along their edges.

But your point is a valid one so perhaps that part of the wording could be - "post strike, and not part of the minting process".

Granted, it's going to add to the length of the definition but it is clear and I would say is required in order for the definition to be concise.

 

I've since backed off of trying to define scratch in the context of coinage, and focus on the meaning as more generally applied.

Extended definitions as to types of scratches with regard to coinage can easily be made once it is understood what a scratch is and what it is not.

 

That's the whole purpose of the thread though.

The dictionary is full of those. Problem is numismatic definitions for all kinds of words are entirely different than ordinary usage, even specific to coinage.

Hmmm - OK, let's try this. A grooved line of indeterminate shape and dimension on the the surface of a coin caused by any foreign object that occurs post strike and is not part of the minting process.

 

This process of refinement is tedious, but productive. In the context of coinage then, I submit the following:

A scratch, caused by sliding contact under pressure, is a groove plowed in the surface of a coin after it has been minted.

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Okay, I have an idea . . . give me 30 minutes, and I'll put something entirely different together.