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 Replies: 12 / Views: 3,759 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5855 Posts |
I picked this up at the coin show I attended last month as an upgrade for my 7070 album:   I'm assuming it has been cleaned and/or polished (perhaps even chromed) to within an inch of its life, if for no other reason than the fact that no raw coin is likely to have survived 156 years of circulation and still be shiny enough to be used as a signal device, even though I don't see any obvious wire marks or the like. Despite that, though, it seems to have a ton of detail showing and only minimal (to my eyes) damage. Cleaning/polishing/chroming aside, how would you rate the details? I'm thinking maybe even as high as MS62 or so, but I really don't know what to look for. Also, any opinions as to what it's worth in its current state? I don't recall off the top of my head what I paid for it, since I bought it as part of a trade (I bought 3-4 coins from one dealer and we negotiated a price for the lot that I paid for mostly with more worn Seated Liberty and Capped Bust half dollars), but I'd still be interested in knowing what you think. Thanks! |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3345 Posts |
Im thinking dipped, AU 58 details. And I love the MD on the face!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7193 Posts |
I have the exact same coin with similar condition but mine is dark with a subtle rainbow of color when you change the angle of viewing. AU 55 details on yours with some minor wear on liberty's thigh.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5854 Posts |
I am thinking AU-58 details. Looks dipped.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
5855 Posts |
Thanks for the feedback. I didn't realize dipping a coin could make it so darn shiny. I tried dipping a Silver American Eagle that was highly tarnished and, while it removed the tarnish, it also removed any sign of luster. That's why I thinking this one must have been polished somehow.
I have been conditioned by y'all to believe that cleaning of any sort destroys the value of a coin, but I have to tell you that this is one sharp looking coin regardless. It may not be investment grade, but it sure looks nice in my album...
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5855 Posts |
Here's another coin in a similar condition that I picked up at the same show (although from a different dealer):   This one is even more obviously cleaned, due to all the scratches and whatnot. Again, though, the details are nice and that's what I really wanted for my Type Album. I picked it up for around $400, which I think is pretty good since a VF20 one of these is listed at $420 at numismedia.com. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4989 Posts |
I would say AU details, non-abrasively polished. Usually a simple dip will leave an AU coin grayish white but not unusually bright and shiny like this one.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10982 Posts |
The Seated Half is a nice looking piece. It's got AU+ details but there's no way to tell what has occurred from the pics. My guess is some type of chemical cleaning. It's right obverse field shows a more serious issue of some sort. The Seated dollar is rough. VF+ or XF details are apparently harshly cleaned. There's a reason why people shy away from white silver that's 150+ years old. You're spending a lot of money here and should be careful. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5855 Posts |
Well, technically I spent a lot of money with no plans to spend like this again anytime soon.
But you are correct. As I said, I knew what I was getting into but it was the only way I could afford these coins with the amount of detail I wanted for my type album.
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Rest in Peace
United States
5375 Posts |
The Seated dollar is at least XF-45 details, they come struck up weird. |
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Valued Member
United States
62 Posts |
Greetings!
Looks like the coin has been dipped and polished with a jewelry-like cloth. This is called burnishing. I think that is what your coin is. It was a nice AU, but someone thought it would be prettier 'bright'. Wrong....sorry for my weigh-in.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5855 Posts |
Don't be sorry! I wouldn't have asked if I didn't want opinions. And I think you may be right about the burnishing. As I mentioned earlier, my limited experience with dipping makes things brighter but not reflective, and that's why I thought this might have been polished in some way.
It's still a lovely coin. I'll leave it in my Dansco and see if it regains any of its natural toning (a.k.a. tarnish) over the years.
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Valued Member
United States
62 Posts |
Yes, it is still a beautiful coin. Albeit not in original condition. Enjoy the journey of discovery and THE HUNT!
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Replies: 12 / Views: 3,759 |
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Posted 12/06/2011 5:49 pm
