IanB

Put them away for a day or two and then come back to them with fresh eyes.

If your going to throw that horrible 1950 penny away Can you throw it in my bin please Seriously though I would be interested to know at what point magnification becomes a negative when trying to grade or give an opinion on the condition of a a coin? I can understand using a microscope or high powered lenses when trying to spot minute differences, but in general when looking at a coin that is 50 - 100 yrs old or older and has probably been owned by more than one person who would have probably handled it on many occasions there has to be an expectation of normal wear and tear. Does the use of high magnification actually prevent us from buying coins that in reality are perfectly acceptable? Anyway just a question, and I hope I have not hijacked your post and sent it down a different direction but I was just curious. Going back to your coin, I think you have already made your mind up on this one, but I will have it if you are throwing it away with the penny

If I can say something as a complete beginner on this subject and please shot me down if you want to but if you need a USB microscope to see these lines then are they something that could possibly not be a problem? Technology maybe creating a problem that just does not exist. Just my opinion.

Colin That does make a lot of sense thank you. I can see in the picture where the lines run down to and stop at the junction where the field meets the hair. As you say that would be precise cleaning. However there are some lines that seem to go across the field as well as the face. I guess I need to see a few more example in real life to learn the difference. One thing I do know about a polished shiny surface is that it does not take a lot to mark them and I would imagine there are very few silver coins that do not have some lines or marks, i guess thats where experience comes into play in deciding what is cleaning and what is not. In the mean time I think I will stay clear of anything shiny. Ian

Is there any chance of having some comparison photos of hairlines and die polish lines? I have been put off from buying silver coins because of just this. It would be nice to know the difference. Thank you Ian

Thank you Michael, as I said don't have many of them but I am happily picking up one every now and then. This one I bought from RLC35 and I am quite pleased with it. The dog on the other hand looks nice but is often up to mischief, hence the innocent look on his face

I don't have many but got this one a few weeks ago.

On the plus side, I would get 5000 nectar points if I bought it, and that's not to be sniffed at!

Thank you Bob I will be ordering one today

Nice tip, cheers

Just bought one. If in the future you spot someone at a coin fair using one then you will recognise me as that noodle

Thank you Pete, I should have read that topic a bit slower and noticed you were talking about a hand held. I have had a look on various site and there are a lot to choose from and various prices. What I was wary of was buying a shiny all singing and dancing one only to find out I should have gone for a different model.

Wow, 40 X magnification. I did not know they went that high. Does it have a manufacturers name so I can do a search?

Just read it and very interesting, I am going to tip out my loose change jar and have a sift through. This coin collecting lark can get quite addictive!

I noticed there is a topic on USB magnifiers but I would like some advice on general handheld magnifiers. currently I have a cheap 4 X flip out magnifier and a 10 X loupe. I would like to replace the 4 X flip out, I want something that I can see the whole coin with at a decent magnification, also what are the thought on them having a built in light or should I rely on daylight?

Done, and I would be interested in seeing the outcome.

Doh! that makes sense about the holes. I have to try and remember to think in reverse when talking about dies. it a bit of a coincidence that the dots are on either side of the O. Also why are they round in shape, if something broke off chances it would be irregular in shape.

They look quite deep. Is it possible they got larger over time or do dots only get smaller. if they were guide lines then the die sinker miscalculated their position for them to end up that close to the O. How would they polish them out without causing wear to the surrounding letters?

Is there something going on next to the serif on the bottom of the T as well as the bottom of the R?

Thats interesting, any thoughts on why, or how they are there?

Congratulation on your haul. i may have to start looking at the half pennies myself in the future.

3 of the claws are bent which might indicate that they held a curved "something" that was round in shape. The 4th claw is upright which may indicate that it was either straightened to release whatever it held or it was never used. if it was a broach or similar then it would have some kind of fixing somewhere on it so it could be attached to clothing. i am going to take a guess and say it's some kind of costume jewellery

No you haven't put me off. I am here to learn, so please keep teaching. I still like the coin, hopefully I can look after it and enjoy it for a few more years.

Thanks Pete, I have had a look with a 10 X loupe and I can see some small dots, possibly verdigris, maybe. However I still like it a lot, so still happy with it. I guess when trying to grade a coin that's at a higher grade then that's when a small difference actually makes a big difference. Oh well got to keep striving for the best but sometimes may have to settle for slightly below that. looking forward to receiving the coin from you, I will let you know when it arrives. Ian