1986P with die scratches in eye and different parts of face

[VAB2013]

Just wondering how this is possible. I still do not have a good understanding of what is a die scratch and what is from a polishing tool to rid a clash, etc. Thank you for looking and explaining this.

[profiler]

I think you have two things going on here: Die polishing which is intended to correct imperfections such as clash, bumps, scrapes, etc. In early stages after polishing, it will manifest as fine, yet distinct lines in various directions. And then over time, those fine lines thicken as the die wears out more.

[VAB2013]

Thank you profiler, so in essence the die polishing lines thickened and expanded underneath the design where the eye is? I can understand maybe the ones on top of the design in other places is a slip of the hand with the polishing tool. But the eye got me.

[profiler]

I believe they are one in the same, both in the field to the east of the nose and mouth, as well as in the eye area. They are the same relative thickness.

[willbrooks]

I still do not have a good understanding of what is a die scratch and what is from a polishing tool to rid a clash, etc.

Andrew is spot on. They are the same thing. A die scratch is usually caused by a tool, whether intentional or not. It creates a raised line on the coin. A die CRACK also creates a raised line on a coin. They are easy to tell apart.

Die scratch:
-Rarely alone. Usually accompanied by other scratches made by whatever tool is being used to polish.
-Usually confined more to the field of the coin, as the design elements are recessed in the die, and therefore not as accessible to the hand tools being used to polish the die.
-usually shallower than the fissure made by a die crack.

Die Crack:
-More likely to be alone in a confined area of the coin.
-Usually start at a weak area of the die, and can more readily start in or extend into or across a design element.
-Generally bolder in appearance since they are creating an actual fissure in the die, rather than just a scratch.


Die Scratch: Small scratches in the die can occur by either accidental means, or by purposeful abrasion (http://www.lincolncentforum.com/terminology-list-a/#Abraded%20Die) of the die by the mint. They might do this intentionally to try to remove die clash marks (http://www.lincolncentforum.com/terminology-list-c/#Clash%20Marks) or other die damage (http://www.lincolncentforum.com/terminology-list-d/#Die%20Damage). These die scratches are unique to each die and are therefore useful as markers (http://www.lincolncentforum.com/terminology-list-m/#Marker) for identifying a particular die. Since scratches are incuse (http://www.lincolncentforum.com/terminology-list-i/#Incuse) on the die, they appear as thin raised lines on the coins.
http://www.lincolncentforum.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/diescratches-150x150.jpg (http://www.lincolncentforum.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/diescratches.jpg)


Die Crack: A fissure in the die which will result in a raised line on a coin that is struck by that die.
http://lincolncentforum.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/1995crack1-150x150.jpg (http://lincolncentforum.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/1995crack1.jpg) http://lincolncentforum.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/1995crack2-150x150.jpg (http://lincolncentforum.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/1995crack2.jpg) http://lincolncentforum.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/die-crack-with-chip-150x150.jpg (http://lincolncentforum.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/die-crack-with-chip.jpg)

[VAB2013]

Thank you Andrew and Will! Now I have a hard time selecting the best answer because they are both "best". Since Andrew got here first, will go with that one! Thank you very much guys!

[onecent1909]

just a quick note.
the designs on a coin (date, bust, Liberty, Motto, EPU, ETC) is raised up from the field
Those design elements are sunk into the die, lower than the field.
If you touch a coin the highest point which you would touch first is the design
on a die the first thing you would touch is what will be the field
parts of the design that are closer to the field would be polished or scratched before other parts of the design
this is why the bays in the memorial building and in this case the inside of the eye can show polish lines and not the surrounding design area
http://www.lincolncentforum.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=104075&stc=1

[VAB2013]

Thank you onecent1909, so now I can see why the parts of the die were affected by the polishing like the attached photo of the vest. I looked all over this coin trying to find remnants of the clash, nada... not even on the reverse. But there are some strange square markings on the vest.

[onecent1909]

yes those parts are lower on the coin making them higher on the die. When the worker polished the die, that area was close to the field and also received some of the abrasive polishing

[VAB2013]

Thank you onecent1909 I am trying to get all of this to "sink" in lol... so those square marks... hummmm.... makes me kinda wonder if the hammer die fell onto the anvil die in some catastrophic way. We are talking 1986 when people used things until they basically fell apart. And from the looks of all these die scratches the worker had a bunch of stuff to get rid of. (First time I have ever seen these type scratches in the design of the obverse, really threw me for a loop)