The Marks We Leave

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I was lucky, when I found my SMS's, there were about a dozen other proofs in the same box (inluding a 64 proof and a 1960 Franklin Proof) and none of them had seen any real circulation.

That said, proofs should jump out at you and leave no doubt in your mind. If the coin is questionable, it most likely is not a proof.

I've gotten some seriously circulated proofs and the background field right up next to the design elements still has that proof quality. When I search coins, I don't look at the mintmark anymore. If it's a proof, it'll jump out at me. If in doubt, you can always hold it up next to a proof of the same year, and you'll probably see the difference in quality of the background and the sharpness of where the design elements meet the background.

One last thing that helps, for uncirculated proofs, there is a certain quality to the edge of the coin that just doesn't exist on non-proof coins. There were a few years in the early eighties where the quality of the edge rivaled that of the proofs, but they were still inferior.

 

I think obstrusive marking is wrong, but a bit of marker on the edge of excessively common coins can't do any harm.

 

Interesting mark.

This baby made it all the way to Chicago.

 

It looks like someone has been circling the ends of their rolls before opening them.

 

I don't mark the coins i search but i say, mark em' up. That just means all the coins we have now with no marks will be rare, and worth millions. So mark them coins kids!

 

Rainbow Nickles

Fascinating. I never noticed circulating coins marked by collectors or knew that people did this. I guess since I didn't know what to look for, I may have not realized.

I've had a theory that I've never tried to confirm, that Vegas casinos mark coins. I often find nickels especially (They still have nickel slots right? Or am I out of luck? [chuckling on the inside]) that seem to have the entire obverse marked in some weird color like bright mink. It looks like clay to me. the low points seem to be filled a bit, but I suppose that would just be the color wearing off the high points.

I also often find cent covered in green clay on one side. This is definitely modeling clay by my estimation.

Does anyone know of casinos marking coins? I mean I know they mark decommissioned cards (if thats the term) to prevent them from being reused on the floor, but why mark coins? Does anyone know what's going on here?:rolling:

~​

 

Interesting, I once got a roll of Kennedy Halves which all had some red fingernail (?) polish a few of the coins, maybe eight of them. Needless to say there was nothing valuable in the roll or on the red marked coins.

Take Care
Ben

 

Is there a way to get the marks off?

 

Latin lesson for today

Yeah, no value, post mint release et alia, et cetera.

I see a fair number of quarters in same condition as your halves

But my question is: who/what/where is this stuff coming from?

 

Nurse, mask please

If they're Sharpie®, acetone should do it in a jif.

 

Here's a few more that are intentional.

Just curious that no one here has claimed any of these markings yet.

 

For the marker, acetone takes it right off.

For nail polish, acetone will take it off, but it make take quite a few acetone soaks separated by hot water rinses. Only the final rinse need be distilled water.

I've found quite a few with nail polish / paint. My theory is that some searchers out there wanted to leave more permanent of a mark since the permanent marker does wear off pretty quickly.