Hairlines - What are Hairlines on a Coin?
From Susan Headley, former About.com Guide
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hairlines: Fine scratches in the surface of the coin, caused by improper handling. Not to be confused with die scratches.
hairlines Fine cleaning lines found mainly in the fields of Proof coins, although they sometimes are found across an entire Proof coin as well as on business strikes.
Half Slang for half dollar.
Hairlines - Thin, shallow scratches on the surface of a coin, usually caused by improper cleaning, or mishandling.
Half - Synonym for half-dollar.
Hairlines: Tiny lines or scratches on coins, usually caused by cleaning or polishing.
Incuse: Opposite of relief, the part of a coin's design that is pressed into the surface.
Inscription: Words stamped on a coin or medal.
hairlines - Very light lines or scratch marks on a coins surface. Sometimes hairline marks are caused when coins are cleaned or polished.
Hairlines - fine scratches on a coin's surface which may affect its grade
Half cent - a U. S. copper coin of that value, issued from 1793 to 1857
Half dime - a U. S. silver five-cent coin, issued from 1794 to 1873 ...
Hairlines - Minute lines, typically on proof coins which were caused by light cleaning, polishing or light contact with plastic flips or plastic slides.
Hairlines - Light scratches in the surface of a coin.
Half Cent - A U.S. coin with a face value of 1/200th of a dollar first minted in 1793 and last minted in 1857.
Hairlines
Minute lines on coins caused by light cleaning, polishing or light contact with plastic flips or plastic slides, typically on proof coins .
Half Eagle
A United States five dollar gold coin.
hairlines
Light scratches in the surface of a coin, usually caused by light polishing.
half cent
A U.S. copper coin minted from 1793 through 1857 (1/200th of a dollar).
Hairlines - A series of minute lines or scratches, usually visible in the field of a coin, caused by cleaning or polishing.
Half Eagle - A United States $5.00 gold coin.
Hairlines
Difficult to see scratches occuring on coins which have been cleaned or incorrectly handled.
hairlines Fine scratches in the surface of the coin. Not to be confused with die scratches. half dime, half disme A silver 5-cent coin of the United States. The Mint Act of April 2, 1792, authorizes "half dismes." See also disme.
Hairlines
Thin scratches on a coin, usually in the fields or across the devices which are caused by rough or careless cleaning, wiping or drying of a coin.
H
hairlines - very light lines or scratches on the surface of a coin. head - the obverse or front of most coins.
Lines Hairlines. Fine scratches, most often seen on Proof coins as these have deeply reflective mirror fields which get minute scratches easily. Lines are detrimental to a coin's value, moreso when they are noticeable to the naked eye.
Extra Fine - hairlines over the eye and ear are strong but slightly worn, all wing feathers are visible but the top and outside edge can be faint.
There are many grades above the XF condition as well, but these are the average grades.
Hairlines: Fine scratches, which are caused by cleaning a coin with an abrasive.
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surface hairlines: Fine surface marks caused by other coins scraping against them
tone: Discoloration of the surface of a coin caused by a chemical reaction
toning: Discolouration of the surface of a coin caused by environmental exposure ...
1803 dollar with hairlines so severe they look like they were caused by steel wool.
Often a soft cloth was used to wipe away dust, causing light hairlines or friction. Europeans in the 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th Centuries would do this regularly. Finding Gem British coins are especially difficult because of this problem.
abrasions - Light rubbing or scuffing from friction, not to be confused with hairlines or bag marks.
adjustment marks - Small striations or file marks found on early United States coins.
A delightful cameo Proof with very minor hairlines visible under magnification (which, of course, is why it has been called Proof-64 rather than, say, Proof-65 or Proof-66).
After the fine sanding of the die faces, hairlines if not polished completely out will leave very fine gouges in the die faces. This in turn will produce mirror image raised hairlines in each coin struck after the dies were resurfaced.
Fields in open areas are free from hairlines/abuse, although if the fields are semi-mirrored a couple of light and minor hairlines might be allowed if not detracting. Patches of hairlines indicating abuse would not.
Description: Obverse: The variety shows very strong doubling of the obverse on REPVBLICA ITALINA, the laurel leaves in the wreath on Italia's head, some hairlines, esp.
Sometimes the plastic will develop hairlines, and I find that a 5X magnifying glass is very useful for determining whether the hairlines are on the plastic or on the coin.
When grading this design, look carefully at the surfaces of the fields to check for hairlines, evidence of cleaning, removal of solder or retooling of the design elements.
Bumps, scratches, hairlines, etc. are factored into the grade, and, as noted, an EF-40 coin with problems can be slabbed simply as a VF-20, or a Proof-65 coin with lint marks can be encapsulated as a Proof-63 or some lesser grade.
The MS-62 will have nice color, good luster and fewer marks and/or hairlines. Most will show above average strike and good quality planchets.
Surface Preservation - This includes the presence of bag marks, hairlines from cleaning or mishandling, and other imperfections of planchet, whether mint caused or man made.
If the coin has been cleaned with an abrasive, the coin will have hairlines. Have a look at the coins in Overton's half dollar book; a large proportion (maybe 20%) of them appear to have been harshly cleaned with an abrasive.
A term used to describe a coin that has been doctored in a specific way to cover marks, hairlines, or other disturbances. Often associated with silver dollars, it actually is used on many issues, mainly business strikes.
The date usually has an average strike and surfaces that are below average because of circulation marks, die cracks, hairlines, and rim nicks.
Abrasions - Light friction rubbing or scuffing that is different from hairlines and bag marks. Sometimes referred to as "cabinet friction" because many times it is caused by a sliding action in a coin cabinet.
If the coin has been cleaned with an abrasive, the coin will have hairlines. Also, abrasive cleaning often leaves some crud in the recesses of the coin (untouched dirt or left over abrasive).
The magnifying glass is a great aid in examining the quality and authenticity of the coins. Details like hairlines or scratches, which are not visible to the naked eye, ...
Very lusrtous. Has some very light hairlines. Looks like a MS63.
Grade: 58
PCGS Number: 2067
Year: 1863 ...
Light rubbing or scuffing caused by friction. Different than hairlines or bag marks.
ACG
The abbreviation for ASA-Accugrade, a third party grading service.
The elements that make up a coin's grade. The main ones are marks (hairlines for proofs), luster, strike, and eye appeal.
AU
Shorthand for almost uncirculated.
The toning floats on the surface of the coin rather than having depth and being bonded to the metal.
The toning occurs over hairlines or other marks.
The toning exhibits bright "crayon" colors.
Coloring applied to the surface of a coin, either by chemicals and/or heat, for the purpose of hiding hairlines and other flaws or to resemble the natural oxidation process that can increase a coin's desirability. See also TONING.
attributes The elements that make up a coinÂ's grade. The main ones are marks (hairlines for Proofs), luster, strike, and eye appeal.
2 : Detracting Marks: a collective term for bag marks, contact marks, abrasions, rim nicks, hairlines, scratches etc.
3 : Lustre: degree of (for silver coins).
Full mint luster for the date and mint are present. No more than two small non-detracting contact marks or flaws. No hairlines or scuff marks visible under magnification. Exceptional eye appeal. Copper coins must have lustrous original color.
It will usually have the most wear on the high points - hairlines, cheekbones, dress folds, and headgear (if present). Major parts of the design are clear, but minor details are weak.
623---Republic . 1894. 20 Centimes. Obverse hairlines. KM-45. EF/AU $18
624 HAWAII, Hickam AFB. ND. 50 Cents. Hickam AFP NCO Open Mess/Shield. Medcalf (1978) TM-16. AU $25 ...
Grades from MS-60 to MS-70 in one point increments are used for mint state coins. Criteria include luster; the number, size and location of contact marks; the number, size and location of any hairlines, ...
It can be characterized as more commercial than that of ANACS, incorporating all factors which the market considers when trading coins, including strike, luster, surface preservation (bagmarks and hairlines) and overall eye appeal (toning).
Altered real coin: An inscription might be changed to make it appear to be a more valuable coin. If detail is added to a coin (e. g., hairlines added back in to make it look to be in better condition that it is), it is referred to as "tooled." ...
The main goal of some dealers is to rid their stock of coins that A) grade between AU and MS-63+ because of excessive flaws; B) lack surface luster but have virtually mark-free surfaces; or C) are Proof specimens that simply have too many hairlines...
The 1863 quarter eagle is generally found with light hairlines but excellent contrast and very deep mirrors.
Just rubbing a coin with a cloth can leave tiny hairlines that can be seen under magnification that could render the coin worthless.
 See also: Hairline, Coin, Mint, Grade, Struck
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