1934 D Walking Liberty Half Question - Hello From Sunny Socal

What is it that convinces you that this coin has been messed with, and what do you mean by being messed with. Does being messed with explain the hairline scratches, scuffs, and dents?

There is a coin shop near me so I will see what they have to say.

Adding to my previous post: do you believe the coin was altered in an attempt to deceive, or messed with, meaning that the obverse was carelessly mishandled.

I am not saying hadleydog is incorrect in his assessment, but when I saw the spot in front of Miss Liberty, I was just thinking the lighting used was making the spot appear overly bright and the marks were from the mint. Now if that spot is always a lot lighter no matter the angle, then yes, that area definitely has been messed with.

Trust me in that one of my areas of expertise is taking horrible coin pics b/c of lighting problems. Since I am used to not having correct lighting in my pics, I think I was reminded of that when I first saw yours.

It might also be good to take a few more pics and post them so we can see what affect the different angles of light would have on that area. Also, as I said before, post it in the grading section. That way our best graders on CCF can give a good opinion. I would not yet think you would have to spend the money to get it slabbed just to make sure of its condition. I think the grading area of the forum can give you a legit assessment - especially with more pics.

Hadlydog was giving wise advise when he said to see what a local coin shop would give also. Or maybe even take it into the shop and ask the owner if he would judge it to be an MS coins without saying you are wanting to sell. Tel him the whole story. I have, unfortunately, been in coin shops where if I said I wanted to sell something, the owner was not honest with me so he could get take advantage of the situation.

This is exactly why I mentioned earlier that grading from images is a dangerous game. The coin appears very different in each image.
That said, I still see an AU details coin, the hairlines are still there as are the gouges.
Please let us know what the local coin shop's opinion is, and your own after getting a chance to compare her side by side with other third party graded coins.
Enjoy the experience, a good local shop can be a wonderful asset.

hadleydog

I followed Earle42 advice and post in the grading section. After I did I thought, I hope I didn't offend you by doing so. I do very much appreciate you taking the time to help me. Thanks!

Here is another coin 1934 P Walking Liberty half.
This is the last raw for now until I get a good handle on this. Your advice to purchase graded coins makes good sense.

Wow, had a really bad experience at a coin shop near me. I asked the person who helped me, if he could evaluate my Walking Liberty half. He took in his hand and while he examined it, I told him that it was sold to me as a uncirculated coin. He quickly said "no it's probably not an uncirculated coin because everything is rounded over".

I asked if he noticed the left wing on the reverse. He looked at it again and said I don't see what you are referring to. I said, I was told it was a lamination error, he said maybe. I said maybe you need a loupe to see it. He just shrugged his shoulders and said, what is it that you want to know. I said I would like your opinion, he said in a rude tone, what is it that you want to know about it. I thanked him for his time said I'll go elsewhere.

This coin shop had the appearance of professionalism. That experience totally turned me off.

This person I spoke to was clearly not the owner. I was just uncomfortable, being a rookie at this I just left. I am self employed and believe me that is no way to get a client keep client and of course keep the bills payed.