My Insights on Peace Dollar Mysteries: When Shiny Isn’t Always Good

I stumbled upon a 1922 Peace dollar with a suspiciously mirror-like surface recently, and it reminded me how tricky appearances can be in our hobby. That initial flash of brilliance pulled me in, but my gut told me something was off, so I decided to really study it.

First Impressions Under the Loupe

Holding this Peace dollar, the fields had that PL-style reflectivity, but without obvious tool marks. What set off alarm bells? Weird ghosting behind Liberty’s head and near ‘LIBERTY’ – not lamination like I first guessed, but likely die clashes. It’s those little quirks that teach you to question every shiny surface.

The Telltale Signs of Cleaning

When I angled it under my lamp, the truth came out. Here’s what screamed “cleaned”:

• Hairline scratches crisscrossing the obverse like spiderwebs – classic whizzing evidence
• Shadowy gunk hiding in the letter crevices where brushes couldn’t reach
• An unnaturally smooth rim from someone over-polishing for maximum dazzle

Sadly, I’ve handled too many coins doctored to look pristine that reveal their secrets under magnification.

Grading Reality Checks

Coins like this almost always come back with “Details” grades – ‘AU Details Cleaned’ or worse. I learned that lesson painfully with my 1916-S Buffalo nickel. Thought for sure it was low Mint State… until the ‘AU Details Whizzed’ verdict. Online photos often hide these flaws, so either inspect in hand or demand razor-sharp images.

Simple Photography Tricks

Want to capture tricky rim details? Try this: pop the reflector out of an old flashlight. It gives perfect directional lighting without fancy equipment – my go-to method for documenting problem areas.

Why I Keep “Problem” Coins

Even cleaned Peace dollars or Morgans earn shelf space in my collection. They make great teaching tools or pocket pieces, reminding us where preservation went wrong. Real value isn’t just in the grade – it’s in the stories they carry and what they teach us.

After years of encounters like this, I’ve learned to look beyond the shine. That flashy surface might catch your eye, but the real magic happens when you learn to read the details.