I am looking to improve my knowledge on numismatics and I wanted to learn about how to identify different coin damage's. For example some numismatists can tell what kind of damage a coin just by looking at it, call anyone help me here?
If you're referring to things such as Mint errors, you might want to consider getting a copy of The Official Price Guide to Mint Errors by Alan Herbert. By understanding how errors can occur in the minting process, you will be in a better position to understand what can likely occur after the coins leave the Mint. Chris
You could probably write a book on the subject of damaged, cleaned and problem coins. I certainly can't cover all the different types of damage in a thread on this forum. But here's a quick stab at how I would categorize them. 1. Cleaning: Most cleaning is a result of someone rubbing, polishing or somehow abrading the surface of the coin in an attempt to remove toning or dirt. Most cleaned coins can be identified by small hairlines that run parallel across the surface of a coin. Sometimes you need a microscope to ID this damage. 2. Dipping: Related to cleaning, but different in that the coin has been immersed in a solution (often JewelLustre) to remove any toning or surface imperfections. Often over-dipped coins will lose their mint luster. Dipping may actually change the composition of the surface of the coin, altering it's appearance forever. 3. Rim damage. These are easily identifiable, you can have rim bumps, rim dings, rim nicks. Sometimes coin doctors will attempt to repair these by filing the rims. This is also usually easily detectable. 4. Holes/plugs. Often coins were used as a jewelry piece. They may have had a hole drilled in them so that they could be hung as a pendant, or as a charm on a bracelet. The coin doctor/repairer, will plug the hole. Sometimes with great skill so that it is practically invisible to the naked eye. 5. Scratches/Graffiti: Scratches are pretty self explanatory. Sometimes, somone will carve a letter or some other form of graffiti on the surface of the coin for whatever reason. 6. PVC/Tape damage: Coins used to be stored in plastic holders, albums or flips that contained PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride). This was horrible for the surface of the coin as the chemicals from the PVC holder leached onto the coins and damaged them. Also some people would tape coins into albums or place tape on the surface. This leaves a film of adhesive on the surface of the coin which attracts dirt/dust etc. There are probably lots of other types of coin damage. And my explanations are overly simple and just scratch the surface, pun intended. But these six seem to be the most common that I run across.
very helpful thanks. The reason i am wondering is because I have a 2009 JFK halh dollar P minted and there is a strange damage pattern on the coin none of the above describes it. It has like a ruff scratcy look. Not like a brush mark but like someone has taken a nail file to part of the coin. Looks a bit like when someone sticks tape to a bit of transparent plastic the peels it off, gives it that weird sticky look. It looks like that but ruff. any thoughts?
I will try and get some pics ASAP but I don't have a very good camera so it might be S**t quality of photo.
Take cpm9ball's advice and learn as much about the minting process as you can. When you have a through understanding of how coins are made, it makes it much easier to recognize what CAN'T be produced by the minting process.
