Reply to Thread

Message:: [QUOTE="CoinOKC, post: 300415, member: 2146"]Modern coins have very flat surfaces. For instance the SAC Dollars and PREZ Dollars are almost entirely flat and their designs are raised only slightly above the surface. This is one of the reasons these particular coins have been maligned as looking like tokens instead of coins. Older coins (just about any coin before the early 1980's) have a feel of a "basined" (or concave) surface. Basining a coin gave the surface a deeper feel and a "dished out" effect. This also gave the design a much fuller imprint and (in my opinion) gave a coin much more reflectivity when turned in the light. I know the Mint has pretty much done away with basining certainly in an effort to save the life of the dies. But, what a shame. Pick up a nickel minted in the last few years then pick up a nickel minted in the 1960's. You'll immediately feel the difference.[/QUOTE]