First,
Let's set aside the question of whether the coin is circulated or uncirculated. Let's also set aside the question of whether it has an original surface or has been cleaned. Let's look objectively at the surface conditions of the coin.
Here are cropped areas of three of your photos of the obverse. I have circled some areas that warrant a little bit of discussion.
We can debate whether this shows cleaning, but there is one observation that is evident from the photo. The three circles areas are incuse. They are not raised on the coin, as die polishing lines would be. The gouge that runs from the bottom leg of the "T" to an area just below the bottom leg of the "Y" of LIBERTY is a deep gouge.
This is another of your photos showing most of the same scratches and gouges, plus an additional one.
The final portion of one of your photos shows heavy contact marks on the rays, the gown, and the leg.
It doesn't really matter whether these are contact marks from being tossed around in a bag of coins, circulation marks, or cleaning marks. Regardless of their source, they are factors in grading the coin.
Let's assume for argument that the coin is uncirculated and has original surfaces. With these scratches, dings, and gouges, even an uncirculated coin would not grade above MS-64, and more likely would be MS-63. There wouldn't be much difference in price, with an MS-63 running about $45 and an MS-64 running just under $50.
The 1942 Walker is a common date, and is readily available in grades up to MS-66. Every decent coin show has coins in these grades by the hundreds. The surface dings alone preclude this coin from making Gem BU, much less anywhere near condition census.
I just retired as a dealer. I have been a collector for more than fifty years and a dealer for more than forty-five. All I can tell you is that in my experience, this coin has the appearance of being circulated and cleaned, and very likely would grade as AU Details, 92 Code (Cleaned).
The folks on this board have decades of experience grading coins. Looking at the list of members who have weighed in on this coin, there is well over 250 years of collective grading experience represented. Many are professional numismatists, and many are long-time collectors. In my experience, the collective wisdom of these boards is very, very close to where any of the big three TPGs would land. Nobody on here has an axe to grind or a stake in upgrading or downgrading anybody's coins. They shoot straight, based on years and years of experience. Nobody bats 1.000 on grading, but when so many people weigh in, the consensus grade is usually within one point of what a
TPG says. Here, the consensus is that your coin is lightly circulated, but cleaned. It may not be the answer you want to hear, but it is very likely spot on.
I hope that you will ponder these things, and stick around here. There are exceptional teachers and people who are eager to share knowledge with willing learners. We ALL are learners, regardless of experience.
Again, welcome, and thanks for sharing your coin with us.
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Posted 12/17/2021 3:05 pm
