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 Replies: 12 / Views: 1,518 |
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Valued Member
United States
160 Posts |
I have begin looking at a lot of Capped Bust Halves on ebay and other sites and am trying to get a feel for what original surfaces look like. Obviously, there are a lot of cleaned coins and "old cleanings". I was curious what you all thought of the following two coins. For the record, I am aware of Great Southern Coin's tendency to overexpose their photographs, but that does seem to hide more on a bright, whiter coin than a toned one. To my untrained eye, both of these coins seem to exhibit original surfaces and the deeper toning in the fields and on the focal points seem to be original. I also think the lighter toning near the stars, etc. is good evidence of an original surface (coins that have been wiped always seem to have the opposite traits, i.e. lighter fields and darker near the edge of the devices).   Anyway, just hoping I could learn something from people older and wiser than me. Thanks! |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10982 Posts |
An opinion is just that so here's mine. Both those coins are cleaned and retoned. They are lightly circulated and relatively high value pieces. These coins would have some "crust" or natural toning somewhere on their surfaces sans a cleaning. Also, GSC is a big coin "marketeer". They know these coins would bring big bucks in a Top Tier TPG holder as an AU something. What would original surfaces look like? Here's one example:  |
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Valued Member
 United States
160 Posts |
Do you think they have been dipped? The golden toned coin doesn't look as original as the top one. Do you think these are "old" cleanings? And would they pass muster at a top TPG? |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10982 Posts |
Quote:Do you think they have been dipped? The golden toned coin doesn't look as original as the top one. Do you think these are "old" cleanings? And would they pass muster at a top TPG? There is a good chance they have been dipped or subjected to some other type of chemical cleaning. Old cleaning? No way to tell, at least not for me. Pass muster at a TPG? That is the $64,000 question. I can't see the reverses, based on the obverses I'd say no. JMHO. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7840 Posts |
I have been "blocked" by GreatSouthern for attempting to make corrections/suggestions to some of their listings; "why not have the higher end coins certified?", "this is a Type I SLQ" and so on... I still look at their stuff on occasion when I search for key words, but they sure do make the coins pretty.  I did purchase a few from them prior to being "blocked" and they promptly went back. I have difficulty judging raw coins, just one of the many reasons I purchase "slabs", for the most part, unless I have a working relationship with the dealer. Just sharing. Edited by oih82w8
10/15/2013 3:49 pm
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
4589 Posts |
If those were circulated and NOT cleaned I would expect to see SOME dirt (might not be a lot) caught up in the nooks and crannies.
-----Burton 50+ year / Life / Emeritus ANA member (joined 12/1/1973) Life member: Numismatics International, CONECA Member: TNA, FtWCC, NETCC, EveryCountry (online) coin club Owned by three cats and a wife of 40+ years (joined 1983) Author: 3rd Edition of the Sample Slabs book, https://www.sampleslabs.info/ |
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Moderator
 United States
23522 Posts |
I wouldn't form any conclusions whatsoever regarding coins fro that seller, based on their images. I believe their images create an artificially-enhanced impression of the coin offered, and can't be considered an accurate representation of the coin or its' condition.
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Valued Member
United States
451 Posts |
It'd difficult to tell from the images. I'd hazard a guess that the halo effect is either from a cleaning or that it was originally PL with saw only light circulation.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1002 Posts |
Quote:
I wouldn't form any conclusions whatsoever regarding coins fro that seller, based on their images. I believe their images create an artificially-enhanced impression of the coin offered, and can't be considered an accurate representation of the coin or its' condition. Well said, I agree |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
9792 Posts |
I've purchased a few items from them, always in my mind and my bidding that the coin has probably been cleaned. The coins I've won in auction from them are okay for what I paid, most I watch or bid on, go for far more than they should based on the fact I'd say more than 70% are cleaned to some extant. I'm not saying they are cleaning the coins, but probably purchasing them as is at a greatly reduced price at coin shows or from wholesalers. The photos when compared to what I've won (in hand) looks juiced, or saturated and the lighting they use is very flattering to the coin, as expected, none of the coins I've won from them looks much like the photos they post on ebay as far as color, toning, etc. I've not seen any evidence of them photoshopping out blemishes or fraudulently "fixing " the coins, they just use lighting to make certain flaws disappear in there photos. "Buy the Book Before You Buy the Coin" - Aaron R. Feldman - "And read it" - Me 2013! ANA Life Member #3288 in good standing since 1981, ANS, Early American Coppers Member (EAC), Colonial Coin Collectors Club member (C4), Conder Token Collector Club member (CTCC), Civil War Token Society (CWTS) member, Liberty Seated Collectors Club (LSCC) & Numismatic Bibliomania Society member (NBS), USMex, Member in good standing, 2¢ variety collector. See my want page: http://goccf.com/t/140440 |
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Moderator
United States
16677 Posts |
Have not bought from GSC and probably never will.
BTW, both those coins have been cleaned/retoned.
swcoin.ecrater.com
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
618 Posts |
I just want to emphasize the lighting effects--- LED's , florescent , filters, sunlight etc etc-----each dealer enhances different coins in different ways. Even a coin in hand under diffent lights will surprise you.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1959 Posts |
Definitely cleaned. Looks like it has been chemically retoned.
As far as whether or not GSC actually does the cleaning ....... I would be shocked if they didn't monkey with at least some of the coins.
IMO, they are as close to being shady without technically being shady.
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Replies: 12 / Views: 1,518 |
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Posted 10/15/2013 08:59 am
