1928-D Mercury Dime [two Specimens]

I like the first one better also.

Thanks all. I just purchased the first coin! I'm not sure but the seller may have mispriced this one. For this grade, it was only $35. Hoping it looks as good in hand.

I like the first one better.

First one.

@bandsdean,

I can appreciate that! I think the reverse on the 2nd coin is certainly in AU territory, whereas I think the 1st coin reverse is likely XF. If the obverse toning looked more like the reverse (2nd coin), I would have been more likely to pick it up. I am impressed by your optimism on using acetone. I feel I've tried acetone in similarly toned coins and it does nothing. You can pick up the 2nd coin here for $108 (also listed on ebay): https://www.executivecoin.com/produ...mercury-dime

I like crusty original surfaces, but in the end, opinions posted here helped me decide to skip it as resale would likely be a challenge with that negative eye appeal. (https://www.PCGS.com/eyeappeal). I don't think $15 is the right value, as the grade is certainly AU!, but this coin likely won't command $100+ due to this somewhat extreme toning.

As far as cleaning on the first coin, I know it is possible. From the pics it seems like there is still intact luster and a harsh cleaning would have likely destroyed that (right?) so if any cleaning, it seems it was minor. The seller said this when I asked about potential cleaning:
"There is some dirt/grime in the recesses of the numbers/letters, and around the portrait on the obverse, with the same going on the reverse. If I had to guess, it may have been cleaned with isopropyl alcohol which will remove surface dirt, and not affect the metal itself as well as leaving the luster alone. There are no obvious cleaning scratches, so if it was cleaned, then they did a good job."

@merclover - I have the coin in hand, it doesn't seem warped at all, I think it was just the photo.