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 Replies: 13 / Views: 1,293 |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
3098 Posts |
I my continuing quest to try and learn to distinguish original coins from cleaned ones: I saw this 1854 Large Cent. It was listed as "Gem Unc". It's got great details, but the faint lines on the obverse are a concern to me that the coin may have been cleaned and has been retoned. But, I'm not sure. I would appreciate people's opinions on the coin. Thanks.   Paul Bulgerin
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Valued Member
United States
68 Posts |
It looks whizzed / harshly cleaned to me. HOWEVER, I still think that it is a beautiful and pleasing coin.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1304 Posts |
Unc details. Harshly cleaned. Odd color for copper probably artificial
Edited by EFLargeCents
06/22/2015 5:59 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7375 Posts |
Yeah the color is definitely off. It's fun to learn about these coins. Enough different colors to keep me busy for a while. I'm still learning.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7390 Posts |
Not whizzed but yes it was rubbed with and abrasive cloth with chemical assistance
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Pillar of the Community
861 Posts |
Yes, cascade is correct, this coin was rubbed as you can see parallel hairlines on the obverse running from the top right to the bottom left. A whizzed coin would leave circular marks as they use a Dremel tool that rotates at high speed.
Edited by g048406
06/22/2015 11:42 pm
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
Agree with Cascade and last post. Efforts at effacing were not entirely successful. Good post, hopefully saved Paul some dough.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2362 Posts |
It's a nice coin but definitely the surface has been altered.
Member ANA and EAC "You got to lose to know how to win". Dream On by Aerosmith |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
3098 Posts |
Thanks for the responses.
I didn't bid on the coin. It didn't sell and has been relisted, I believe.
This gives me more things to be on the look-out for when searching for coins to buy.
Paul Bulgerin
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Moderator
 United States
23522 Posts |
I can get color like that 10 times out of 10 on copper just by leaving it in a pocket when I wash my pants. Just sayin'.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5825 Posts |
I'm not so sure it has been abrasively cleaned.
Those lines from 1 to 7 run right up to the devices which generally only happens when there was die polishing.
As for being dipped (color) I can't speak to that.
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
The key to the cleaning is the remaining crud clinging around some stars and other places when you look closely. How does crud accrue to an Uncirculated coin? Answer: it doesn't. This one likely got lost, spent some time in the ground and was brushed and retoned to remove the accumulation.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3098 Posts |
What would a coin like this be worth?
The opening bid for the auction was just over $200, but the coin didn't sell.
Paul Bulgerin
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
Well, it's undoubtedly Uncirculated to me, and pretty easy on the eye despite the concerns. As an Uncirculated Details coin, maybe $150?
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Replies: 13 / Views: 1,293 |
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Posted 06/22/2015 5:57 pm
