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 Replies: 27 / Views: 6,056 |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
3098 Posts |
 I still have not mastered the art of knowing if a coin has been cleaned or not if it still has luster and no harsh cleaning marks. I have this 1861 Seated Liberty quarter. The details are strong and it has luster around the obverse stars and reverse legends, but not in the fields, although it is bright silver. There are lots of light marks on it, but no harsh cleaning marks. I would guess that it has been cleaned, but can't tell you exactly why I think that other than it's too bright and not all the luster is there. I would appreciate being educated on how to better detect cleaned coins that don't jump out at you with harsh cleaning marks. Thanks! Paul Bulgerin
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Pillar of the Community
United States
940 Posts |
I can't tell for sure from the photos. It certainly is a high technical grade, but it seems to have too many scratches to look that bright. A coin this old also likely would have some color from storage at least. It almost certainly was gently cleaned, but that wouldn't bother me as long as the cleaning didn't cause visible damage. It's a beautiful quarter. Sending it in for certification could be disappointing if it is determined to have been cleaned though.
Edited by Classic Coins
02/16/2014 01:01 am
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10982 Posts |
There's no question that coin has been cleaned. The question would be: Is it market acceptable or not? When you have a 150 year old piece of silver that is 100% blast white on both surfaces it's pretty well assured that it's been cleaned by some method. Otherwise there would be signs of oxidation and toning somewhere. Your piece shows hairlines in the fields that indicate a cleaning, it's likely been dipped a couple of times too. It might grade problem-free as a low MS piece and it (likely) would grade UNC Details - Improperly Cleaned. You're right, it's too bright, has hairlines, and subdued luster in some areas and would likely be considered a problem coin even if it's not "harshly cleaned".
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
3098 Posts |
Thank You! I've thinking of selling it and will offer it as "Uncirculated details but improperly cleaned".
Paul Bulgerin
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3098 Posts |
I listed the coin on ebay as cleaned and it sold within half an hour! Paul Bulgerin
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
I think transparency instills trust in the seller.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2311 Posts |
Do you mind me asking the price you sold it for?
I just hate when you buy a coin then find out it's cleaned.
Too many times my dealer sold me cleaned ones I didn't even know about.
The lighting is kind of low so you can't tell that great.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1304 Posts |
Here is a Seated quarter that ANACS graded as cleaned for comparison. Sometimes it isn't obvious or the TPG is stricter as to what is market acceptable.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3098 Posts |
The buyer offered $115.00 and I accepted his offer. Before listing it I checked out the other higher grade 1861s on ebay to see what was a reasonable price for a coin like mine. I took different photos of the coin for the listing that showed it better (I think) and clearly specified in the write up that it had been cleaned. I lost a little money on the coin, but when I bought it a number of years ago I wasn't skilled enough to know that it had been cleaned. It's all part of the learning curve. I have a long way to go in learning to clearly distinguish what's been cleaned and what hasn't. Paul Bulgerin
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4337 Posts |
Can you link the ebay sale please? I can't find it in sold listings. Thanks |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3098 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
940 Posts |
That's a pretty quarter, Paul. I'm picky about my coins being original, but I would have had a hard time letting that one go. But I understand how certain coins can nag at you when you see them in your collection. On to better quality. . .
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3098 Posts |
I'm glad I was able to sell it because the money will help me pay for last night's purchase:
(Offsite URL shortening not allowed-1) /lacrqqz
I can't wait to get this one in my hands!
Paul Bulgerin
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Pillar of the Community
968 Posts |
I don't see a cleaning there, I see an AU55. A nice coin, and somebody got a nice deal at $115.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3098 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
968 Posts |
Altered surfaces on the obverse of that dime, at the least, imho. Luster doesn't look quite natural.
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Replies: 27 / Views: 6,056 |
Posted 02/17/2014 01:31 am
