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Message:: [QUOTE="lrbguy, post: 2876978, member: 88829"]@IdesYou gave us this as a numismatic definition of "smoothing""Smoothing: Removal of parts of a coin's original surface and/or naturally occurring patina to make the surface smoother and more even with any gouges or pitting that may have occurred after the coin was struck." By this definition, the removal of debris ON the surface of a coin is not the same as removing elements below or within the surface of a coin. But now you appear to backtrack: May we review that? If we use the definition you gave us, then this situation can be resolved without compromising your definition.  No need to relativize it.  The slippery slope which keeps tripping you up is going back and forth between your formal definition of "smoothing" and the colloquial use of this word  i.e.,  "to make smooth."  The word "smoothing" as a reference to a process or procedure in numismatics, by your definition has a particular character, i.e.  "Removal of parts of a coin's original surface..."  Whatever we do isn't smoothing until that starts to happen.  That is how a definition works. Now, if and when there's a question as to whether or not the original surface has been penetrated, the burden of proof is upon those making the claim that this has taken place (which approaches the question from the positive). Your definition is good.  Hang on to it.[/QUOTE]