Encapsulation of the Month
Lustrous coins are the prize of many numismatists’ collections. So prized is the presence of brilliant mint luster that some unscrupulous individuals have taken to methods of forcing brilliant luster on a coin that does not otherwise possess it. Unfortunately, these attempts to create a quality that is not there leave behind a damaged coin. One of the more extreme methods of creating luster is what is known as “whizzing.”
Whizzing is created when a mechanical wire brush is taken to the surface of a coin at high speed. The result is a coin that has the appearance of brilliant luster but is distinctly not mint created luster. Whizzed coins can be identified by features that are different from a coin with true mint luster. There will be large circular scratches in the surface of a coin that has been whizzed. True mint luster will reflect light from the center of the coin out, with two opposing pie-shaped light reflections known as “cartwheel luster.” Whizzed coins typically will not reflect light from the center of the coin and often reflect a less distinct opposing fashion. Whizzed coins have had their original surface metal abraded and moved and, often at the edges of devices and legends, one will find a raised edge of metal.
This 1932 D Quarter was recently submitted for encapsulation. One of the keys of the Washington Quarter series is known to be encountered with fake mintmarks added for more common Philadelphia strike coins. This particular coin was determined to be genuine, but the unfortunate victim of a mechanical wire brush in its past. The luster on this piece may at first appear brilliant, but upon closer inspection of details, such as the random chunks of reflection in this image rather than the cartwheel of original mint luster, this coin has been damaged.
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