An Interesting Early Copper Grading Exercise: 1793 Flowing Hair Cent

That is an interesting thought you have there, kanga, I hadn't thought about that but it does seem plausible.
The good quality of the non-affected areas of the planchet do suggest it may have been pitted 'as-struck', and before leaving the mint.
As you say, though, it would take an expert to determine/prove that.

XF-40 sharpness, dark fields with lighter brown details, serious post strike pitting on obv mostly concentrated in the field behind the bust, similar pitting on the rev but more evenly distributed. Some minor rim/edge damage. Net VG-7.

At that time getting planchets for coining was hard.
I know even by 1811 the US was still importing them from England and they weren't very good (porous along with other problems).
If that's the problem then your coin should grade without being labeled details/genuine, i.e., it has original surfaces.
But that's going to take a pro to make the call.

The good quality of the non-affected areas of the planchet do suggest it may have been pitted 'as-struck', and before leaving the mint.

Just something for you guys to consider: It is very true that the planchets were often of poor quality; however, when you see "selective corrosion" as on the first "S" of states, that and the "green" color of "active corrosion" inside the "hits" is a good indication that the coin is corroded. Also there are no "original" surfaces left on this coin. Note the thin black oxidation. Finally, when the Large cent collectors refer to a porous surface it is on a much more minute scale.

Also notice that the obverse rim has been repaired - especially at 9 O'clock(file marks).

Germanicvs - I always enjoy seeing the incredible coins in your collection and this is another beauty. The 1793 is missing in my large cent collection and perhaps I won't ever have one, but I can enjoy seeing yours. I'm not smart enough to grade it but see that it is so beautiful. Perhaps lady liberty had some teen age acne and it will go away in a few years? Ok, kidding but I love the coin and thanks for sharing.

She's a Beauty.
I guess it's the nature of the design, the hair looks wind blown, and the focal point is her face,- it appears to me, that the 'impairments' are swept away behind her and really don't interfere with what catches my eye.
The right 65% of the obverse is the 'look at me' part.
Same with the reverse, just so much of the eye pleasing stands out.
I'm sure the color of your coin helped that a lot, just a great looker.

I think this coin has EF details.

[quote]She's a Beauty.
I guess it's the nature of the design, the hair looks wind blown, and the focal point is her face,- it appears to me, that the 'impairments' are swept away behind her and really don't interfere with what catches my eye.
The right 65% of the obverse is the 'look at me' part.
Same with the reverse, just so much of the eye pleasing stands out.
I'm sure the color of your coin helped that a lot, just a great looker./quote]
[quote]XF-40 sharpness, dark fields with lighter brown details, serious post strike pitting on obv mostly concentrated in the field behind the bust, similar pitting on the rev but more evenly distributed. Some minor rim/edge damage. Net VG-7./quote]

I would love to have that coin! Bravo!