1875 Seated Liberty Half - Cleaned?

In that low grade and given that it's a high mintage date. The cleaning is immaterial at this point, it's worth right around melt.

I believe the coin has been cleaned. The coin looks to bright for the grade. The remnants of the original patina can be seen around the stars and lettering. Too bad about the scratches. It may be worth a couple of dollars over melt but not much more.

I'm with D0ubl3Eagle (as usual) was cleaned maybe using baking soda some time ago. Not that a cleaning (unless very harsh) would do all that much to the value of a coin like this, the scratches will kill this one for most collectors. Not far over melt, maybe 1-2 dollars, if I was a coin shop, then maybe melt only, as they usually buy a little back of melt spot. Not an expensive lesson to learn.

Ray, just remember there are always more coins out there, probably better than the one your looking at. Would you really ever be happy with a coin scratched badly in your collection? For me the answer is a tenative "yes", but only if one side of the coin (preferably reverse in most cases), is damaged, like yours, and only if I couldn't justify the price for one with no damage at all. The 1793 Chain Cents come to mind or ultra rare patterns ( Gobrecht dollars) or proof only coins I could never hope to own unless they were priced due to serious problems. Dealers selling more desireable coins with problems buy well back of a couple of grades down of greysheet bid and then - half that number when buying. So they get them cheap, as there is little market for coins like this.

When an undamaged example can be had for only a few dollars more, I'd personally always, every time, go for the more expensive better coin. Not only for my collection, but always with an upgrade in mind down the road, and I'd want to sell or trade the one I'm buying.

Bottom line don't buy or collect problem coins and your collection will be nicer for it.