I Am Ken Coin Novice Looking For Info On Avoiding Cleaned Coins

That 1917D, look at the field on the lower left and there are some fine scratches in a \\\\\\ direction. If those scratches are incuse (they probably are), that's a sign of cleaning. I wouldn't call it worthless, but its grade might go down a bit. It looks like it has a full head according to PCGS guide (https://www.PCGS.com/News/Tips-From...20Part%201). What grade did you buy it as?

As for why someone would want to tamper with the thing: well, NGC price guide says that a 1917D type 1 full head is $300 if AU-58 and $1525 if MS-65.

The 1929 looks pretty good -- it has a varying luster about it and it doesn't appear to have those light scratches (though the angle might be obscuring them, they're not easy to see to begin with). It also looks like it doesn't have a full head. Compare this with the 1917D and see if they reflect light differently. That might be a good reference. Less certain on the last one but as I don't see fine scratches I'd vote natural.

(If anybody else wants to offer a different opinion feel free to, I'm not the ultimate expert on this, just have been paying more attention to coin surfaces lately and been asking the local dealer for opinions on whether or not the surfaces are artificial.)

Nautilator, I bought as "bu" as that was what as advertised. I paid a good bit less than 300, the au58 price. So I dont know. Ithas scratches in addition to the dead luster?

I dont have the 29. Thinking about bidding.

Coinlover yes, uou re cotrect. Almost bough that one so I was curious if it too was fatally flawed.

On the 1917, please post both sides of the coin in the same post.

Below is the ebay listing for your 1917. From the photos the coin appears cleaned. Note the hairlines on both the obverse and reverse fields that were caused by wiping the coin. I would grade the coin UNC Details cleaned. It looks like the cleaning may have removed some of the coin's luster. The value of the coin is around $150. I would recommend that you return the coin for a refund. You are better off buying a TPG graded coin. A 1917 type 1 full head MS61 sells in the same price range that you paid for the coin.

253485751709

OK, I will return it. Although it's a 1917-D, if that matters, I think those are a little more exensive.

Here's another coin I bought, it wasn't as expensive though.




I guess a novice buying unslabbed coins is like chasing fool's gold. Or a fool chasing gold.

I bought a bunch of Franklin halves for about 25% over melt value. They're nice to look at. Don't think I could have gone too wrong there.

Here's a coin I was going to bid on, but if mine looks cleaned with minimal luster, than this one does too.

What do you think?

And thanks for your expertise.

Thank you for your expertise. Do you think my coin is woefully lacking in luster?

I think that's true, that they would have sent a coin with such great details in for grading. They either didn't as they knew it had been cleaned or they got it back and the TPG said cleaned.

+1000