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Message:: [QUOTE="JeffC, post: 7696676, member: 90913"]Question: Are these scratches on the coin or die polish lines? Some months back, I read about Die Polish Lines here and it's one of those things I remember because it's interesting.  But one of the toughest things for me is distinguishing between Die Polish Lines (Die Scratches) and plain old scratches on the coin surface. I remember learning some tips for identifying Die Scratches:(A) If the scratches are on the field but not on the devices, and(B) If the scratches are raised, not incused But I don't have enough physical examples to really know how to tell the difference, in hand. Then I saw this 1934 cent.  And that's when I know that I indeed have difficulties discerning the two types of scratches. [ATTACH=full]1321129[/ATTACH] The scratches are very fine and not visible in the above photo.  But under the right lighting and if you tilt the coin, you can see them here in these two photos below, to the right of Lincoln. [ATTACH=full]1321130[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=full]1321131[/ATTACH] I believe they are scratches and not die polish lines.  But I can't tell if they're raised or incused.  Can you let me know what you think they are and please add a little explanation to help me see what you see.  Thanks all for this one.[/QUOTE]