Hairlines, Scratches, and Cleaning: The Surface Flaws That Kill Coin Values

Surface Preservation: Where Value Dies

A stunning 1881-S Morgan Dollar crosses your desk—blazing luster, sharp strike, perfect eye appeal from arm’s length. You pull out your loupe, and your heart sinks. Hairlines crisscross the fields like a road map. That $500 coin just became a $150 coin. Welcome to the brutal reality of surface problems.

The Three Killers: Hairlines, Scratches, and Cleaning

These surface issues destroy more coin values than all other factors combined. Understanding them protects your investment and sharpens your buying eye.

Hairlines: The Silent Assassin

Hairlines are fine, parallel scratches typically caused by wiping or improper cleaning. They’re most visible in the fields (flat areas) and become painfully apparent when the coin is tilted under direct light. Hairlines affect grading as follows:

• Light hairlines (visible only under magnification): May reduce grade by 1-2 points
• Moderate hairlines (visible to naked eye at angle): Drop of 3-5 points typical
• Heavy hairlines: Often results in Details grade (no numeric grade)

A Morgan Dollar that would grade MS65 without hairlines might receive MS62 with light hairlines—transforming a $300 coin into a $70 coin.

Scratches: The Obvious Offender

Unlike hairlines, scratches are usually singular, deeper marks caused by contact with other coins, jewelry, or handling. Location matters enormously:

• Field scratches: Most damaging to grade and value
• Scratches on high-relief areas: Sometimes mistaken for wear
• Scratches on the rim: Less impactful but still noted

A prominent scratch across Liberty’s face on a gold coin can reduce value by 50-70%, even if all other aspects are pristine.

Cleaning: The Value Destroyer

Cleaning—any attempt to alter a coin’s surface—is the most common and most damaging issue. Types include:

• Harsh cleaning: Chemical dipping that removes original surfaces, leaving coins bright and unnatural
• Whizzing: Wire brushing that creates artificial luster and hairlines
• Polishing: Abrasive compounds that remove metal and create mirror-like fields
• Thumbing: Repeated handling that creates greasy, worn spots

How Grading Services Handle Problems

PCGS and NGC have three options for problem coins:

1. Straight grade with notation: Minor issues might receive a numeric grade but note the problem
2. Details grade: “AU Details – Cleaned” means the coin shows AU wear but won’t receive a numeric grade due to cleaning
3. No grade/return: Severely damaged coins may be returned ungraded

The Value Impact

Details-graded coins typically sell for 30-60% of their problem-free equivalents:

• 1893-S Morgan MS63: $50,000-$65,000
• 1893-S Morgan AU Details – Cleaned: $4,000-$6,000 (roughly 10%)
• 1916-D Mercury Dime MS65 FB: $70,000-$85,000
• 1916-D Mercury Dime AU Details – Scratched: $3,000-$4,000

Detecting Problems

Train your eye with these techniques:

• For hairlines: Tilt coin under strong, direct light at various angles
• For cleaning: Look for unnatural brightness, especially in protected areas that should be darker
• For whizzing: Examine luster flow—natural luster radiates from the center; whizzed coins show linear patterns
• For retoning: Colors that seem “painted on” rather than gradually developing

Living With Problem Coins

Problem coins aren’t worthless—they serve important roles:

• Placeholder coins: Hold a spot in your collection until a problem-free example appears
• Budget alternatives: Own rare dates you couldn’t otherwise afford
• Study pieces: Learn die characteristics without the premium price

Just price them accordingly. A cleaned 1893-S Morgan is still an 1893-S Morgan—but it’s not a $50,000 coin.

Prevention

Protect your coins:

• Never clean coins—ever, for any reason
• Handle by edges only
• Store in inert holders (no PVC)
• Avoid touching surfaces even with cotton gloves

The coin market’s memory for problems is long. That decision to “brighten up” an inherited collection destroyed value that can never be recovered. Learn to appreciate original surfaces, even when they’re not perfect—because original will always beat cleaned.