1923 Canadian Small Cent

This is a fallacy we often have to deal with telling novices about a coin being cleaned, damaged or even faked. Just because it has been in storage for 40 years in the middle of no where by some unsuspecting people doesn't mean its not a fake coin or it's not a cleaned coin. Nor does it matter if they cared about cleaning the coin or not.

Pacificoin is basing his old cleaning comment on the appearance of the coin in the picture and I do agree the facts point to most likely an old cleaning or maybe even some form of environmental damage if it wasn't cleaned. The toning doesn't look appropriate for the age and condition. I'd say it's market acceptable for the grade though.

I'd also agree with it being VF-30, although it currently could slide to EF with the grading going on nowadays.

1. Compare and contrast the fields vs the spaces between the lettering along the rim. If toning is darker along the rims, vs the fields that may indicate cleaing at one point. Please note my comments do NOT refer to the subject penny in this thread.
2. Under magnification, look at the fields for evidence of hairlines, indicating cleaning with a cloth.
With a harsh cleaning, these hairlines may be visible with the naked eye.
3. If the coin looks bright, esp copper cents, it may have been whizzed at some time.....
4. Go to Youtube and search "PCGS Grading" or "Is your coin Cleaned"

Thanks, @tripoli.