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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;IdesOfMarch01, post: 2842563, member: 39084&quot;]This is a pretty accurate observation about Roman bronzes, but there is a qualitative difference between smoothing and tooling.&nbsp; Smoothing (in theory) removes surface encrustations and dirt that were not part of the original coin, and doesn&#039;t disturb the wear that the coin experienced in its lifetime.&nbsp; Tooling modifies the surface in a way that misrepresents the coin&#039;s wear relative to its condition when found.&nbsp; </p><p><br /></p><p>While some smoothing can be excessive and affect the coin&#039;s condition similarly to tooling, it&#039;s usually easy to spot this overly zealous smoothing.&nbsp; Saying the OP coin is &quot;somewhat tooled&quot; is like saying the Pope is &quot;somewhat Catholic.&quot;[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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