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 Replies: 15 / Views: 1,489 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1606 Posts |
So what do you folks think? Has this little bugger been deliberately cleaned or maybe just a wipe off? The reverse is in exactly the same condition.  I'm seeing luster that is pretty good for a 157 y.o. coin.   *** Moved by Staff to a more appropriate forum. ***Edited by Biedercoins
06/16/2016 06:51 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6478 Posts |
Hard to tell from photos/scans if it is shiny or lustrous.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10982 Posts |
Looks like it could be an impaired proof. Where did you acquire it? And yes, it appears to have been cleaned/wiped/etc.
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21788 Posts |
Too much glare from the fields to be able to grade fairly.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3210 Posts |
I lean toward cleaned. I see a lot of hairline scratches in the lower left field on the obverse.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
1606 Posts |
I've been looking for a nice Half Dime for my 1859 collection. The one I have is only about Fine, so this is definitely an upgrade. The idea of an impaired proof did occur to me. There are a surprising number of Half Dime proofs out there and this has more of a proof look than contemporary AUs and slabbed Mint State business strikes. The pictures aren't mine, I stole them from the seller. Couldn't sleep due to pain in my neck, so I saw this about four this morning and immediately liked it. I posted it here for opinions, but didn't get any responses. I had a gut feeling I'd like to add this to my collection and that if I waited too long it would sell and I'd regret letting it pass. So, I pulled the trigger and changed the title of the post from "Does this look cleaned?" to "Please grade..." It should be in my hands early next week, so I'll let y'all know what it looks like without the glare.  Edited by Biedercoins
06/16/2016 09:49 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1940 Posts |
From NGC: Although not widely recognized as such, the 1859 is a one-year type in the Seated Liberty half dime series. Modified by Anthony C. Paquet, the obverse that made its debut this year exhibits larger stars with hollow centers. Liberty's figure is also taller with some light refinements. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1606 Posts |
Hey thanks mikev50! How did you know that right off the bat? Are you a Half Dime collector or Seated Liberty in general or ? Edited by Biedercoins
06/16/2016 09:56 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1499 Posts |
Although there is a lot of glare in the photo, I can see enough to say that the coin has been cleaned. There are lots of hairlines in the obverse field. Unfortunately the major services would label it "improperly cleaned" if you sent it in for grading. The 1859 Half Dime is a minor type which most collectors don't recognize. Anthony Paquet made the dies for these pieces. The most obviously difference for the previous issues is the hollow spots in the center of the stars on the obverse. Paquet did well when he was making dies for medals, but his coin dies did not fare so well. His most famous "blunder" was the 1861 Paquet $20 gold coins which were recalled by the Philadelphia and San Francisco Mints. Here is a lightly circulated example of the 1859 Half Dime that is in my collection.   Edited by billjones
06/16/2016 3:39 pm
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
Agree completely - no question this has been scrubbed. Pass.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4421 Posts |
Offhand, I'd say it's Unc - details. It's a coin that I'd value at AU money without being able to see it in-hand.
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21788 Posts |
Correct in saying that it is lightly circulated.
On wear alone, AU50 - 55 range.
Heavily patinated silver coins can loose all of their mint lustre.
In addition, this one has been lightly rubbed. That can happen against the fabric inside a pocket.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1606 Posts |
There's an interesting little blurb by David Lange in the October 2004 Numismatist that talks about this coin and the late Half Dimes. He says they grew very unpopular, weren't even accepted in the Western States, and were commonly used to make jewelry. After all this they found new circulation in the Caribbean states/colonies. |
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21788 Posts |
I never pass on a coin that has been cleaned. What is important to me, is how much damage has been caused by the cleaning, and add that as major factor on how it's value may be affected. There has been times in the past, where I have taken full advantage of obtaining a cleaned coin at a greatly reduced price.  Edited by sel_69l
06/17/2016 9:27 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4337 Posts |
AU Details
cleaned
looks wiped pretty good
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Valued Member
United States
354 Posts |
Looks PL... Maybe impaired proof?
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Replies: 15 / Views: 1,489 |
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Posted 06/16/2016 08:00 am
