I am considering it but it depends on what coin is available at the right time and at the right price. Have been looking at proof 95s for a long time and will likely continue looking even if the date set is complete without it.
Still unconvinced that putty can mimic the look of lustrous gold over any substantial surface. I think what you are seeing in the reverse of this coin is the result of poor in-slab photography.
Not sure how you make putty shine like gold but maybe there's shiny gold putty that I don't know about.
For the putty to work, you would have to match the color, reflectivity and luster of the coin. Seems like a tough task. Filling fine hairlines seems reasonable to conceal but not large areas in the surfaces.
Was able to see some examples of coins that have been puttied extensively but they didn't look too convincing. Maybe they looked better when first applied.
For coins of this value, it was probably looked at by more than one grader for more than 5 seconds, so not sure if a putty fix would have been missed.
I also don't consider this coin very rare. Out of 500 minted, it is estimated that 420 survive. Demand seems high but if you miss one boat it seems like you don't have to wait long for another one. At least recently. Price seems to have moved north of 55K but it can always come back down, just like everything else.
Coin looks VG details. Looks like there may have been something previously attached to the center of the reverse. Maybe a loop but the coin is too large to be made into a button. Maybe something that turned the coin into a brooch pin to be worn on a lapel.
Quote: Would anyone actually pull the trigger for that kinda money on ebay?
I would. I was in the market for this coin a few years back and was trying to buy one for under $100k, This is the rarest of all indian cent issues with fewer than 20 examples known. I don't know if it is still the case, but around 2017, this issue was the indian cent that had sold for the highest price. I think it was north of $200k for a 66 cameo. Most are proof 64 or 65 like this coin, but there are some 65+ and 66 graded examples. I was consulting with Rick Snow about acquiring one with a cameo designation. However, my interest shifted toward historical significance rather than strict rarity and shuffled along to pursue other collecting interests. This particular coin lacks in eye appeal, but can be bought if adequately adjusted for price.
In terms of whether I would buy it on ebay, I have bought higher price items on ebay. In general, items for sale have prices that are to some degree negotiable. If buying on ebay results in the best price, I have no qualms buying it there.
Looks like an AU coin. For all the issues you list, it appears to be details, but I have seen much worse in a straight grade holder. Maybe AU55. Hair and leaves appear weakly struck. Still a first year of the type and a chunky piece of silver.