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Message:: [QUOTE="BadThad, post: 2139552, member: 17261"]We call it "cartwheel luster". If you look at RLM's picture above, you can see 4 spokes of the cartwheel quite clearly. As you tilt that coin those spokes will move around the coin like the hands of a clock. This happens with deep brown AU-MS coins too. Learn to read luster, it's very important to grading. Often the TPG's will ignore some nicks in favor of luster....that seems to throw-off the newbies to grading the most. As far as poorly struck Lincolns, it's just a matter of experience. Keep in mind, when grading circulated coins, it's all about WEAR....the quality of the strike has little to do with the absolute grade. For example, a good strike might bump a 40 to a 45 but it's still EF wear. Don't feel bad about not understanding which issues are known for poor strikes. Many dealers don't know either. I have one at a show I regularly attend and he can't grade Lincolns, he always under-grades the early branch mint coins. This works well for me. <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie8" alt=":D" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" />[/QUOTE]