1911-S Lincoln Wheat Cent Accugrade MS-64

As you all know, I am relatively new to collecting so I guess I don't know what a cleaned coin looks like. I might give the new found hobby up. Seems theres a lot of cleaned coins being passed around.. I even learned the other day, that some folks tone their own coins as well. Sad such scammers exist in today's world.

First of all, we all started off w/ limited knowledge of numismatics. For me, it took time to learn & after 6 years, I'm still being educated daily. That being said, how much did you pay? Does the seller allow returns?

For our inexperienced members, we generally ask them to show us pics prior to purchasing, that way we can give you our honest opinions. IMO, it's a fun/interesting hobby that will last a lifetime, don't throw in the towel just yet.

The good news is that you paid AU & not full MS-64 price for it & it's also a key-date coin w/ a little over 4m minted.

Does the seller accept returns? IMO, even if I had to eat shipping/handling (chalk it up to a learning expense) I'd send it back & then focus on purchasing a better 1911 S.

Your first clue should have been seeing a 64 1911-S for $151. Seeing you said you are a "newbie" to coin collecting posy post anything you want to buy HERE first - Members will let you know all about the coin!

AU details, cleaned. Bummer. I would get a refund.

I as well see a cleaned AU coin. It's hopefully a lesson learned.

Feel free to post photos here before you commit to purchasing a coin and our experts will give you great advise.

Please get in the habit of posting the denomination in your message titles. I'm going to ask a Moderator to do so for this thread.

if you are going to purchase slabbed coins stick with the top TPG's, PCGS, NGC or ANACS to be safe. one thing is certain and we have seen it many times here is that the grading companies are not always correct. our motto is grade the coin itself regardless of what is on the slab.

imo the photos are not sharp enough to see the surfaces and therefore I'm not 100% sure it was cleaned. the dull surfaces on a coin at this grade is an indicator though

keep in mind that coins can be cleaned in a multitude of ways. some are very difficult to determine and especially so via photos. before pulling the trigger on a coin, its best to post photos here of both sides for an assessment. you have hundreds of years of experience on this site to help.

avoid overhead direct light to avoid glare when taking photos and crop the photos

we have all paid the price of learning along the way. if you can get better photos post them here otherwise I would suggest returning it if you can.

this may help for photos:

1. turn off flash
2. place coin on flat surface with indirect natural light. maybe a window sill in a cloudy day. Use a black or white background to avoid any reflective color
3. move phone about 3in from coin
4. zoom in using your fingers until the coin comes into focus and fills the cameras view finder. if your phone has a portrait selection use that and then press and hold on the coin in the view finder to AF lock it
5. hold phone steady. if you cant then place something on either side of the coin (like books) at that distance and lay phone between them. this will hold it steady and allow you to zoom and take the photo without any blurring