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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Jaelus, post: 2091161, member: 46237&quot;]Of course. You are correct.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>The problem with your logic is that your argument is based on the unproven assumption that die cracks constitute flaws.</p><p><br /></p><p>But the employ of flawed dies does not make a flawed coin. They make a perfect coin that shows the evidence of cracked dies having been employed, just as the unflawed dies also make a perfect coin. While the two coins are obviously different, both are perfect as struck and look exactly how they are supposed to look based on the state of the dies employed.</p><p><br /></p><p>To restate a point I made in my earlier post regarding the intended appearance of a coin: &quot;The engraver may alter the relief or elements of the original design of the artist. The press operator may deliberately increase die spacing to prolong the life of the dies resulting in a weak strike, or may deliberately employ cracked dies to get more use out of them. These are not mistakes but rather are evidence of the many hands at work in the coining process. A coin&#039;s intended appearance will vary and is a combination of these many deliberate elements.&quot;</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Earlier in this thread...</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>And I 100% agree with what you are saying there, however, your argument that die cracks should produce a lower grade runs counter to what you are saying. The grade for both coins in your example should take into account the originality of the coin as struck and any wear, surface conditions, and marks occurring thereafter. Die cracks only enter into the picture when considering eye appeal. They are, as you said, &quot;esoteric aspects of a coin, and that can only be determined by the individual considering buying the coin&quot;. You may find die cracks to be flaws, but many people find them to be neutral or even appealing. Eye appeal with something like die cracks is as subjective as toning, and is best kept out of the grade. Leave it to the market to decide the impact on value.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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