Circulation Wear Vs Cleaning Marks?

So here is an example of my 1884-S that is graded PCGS AU 55. Now I have a few AU-55,53,50 and XF45,40 that have similar marks. These scratches/hairlines will move and bend with the light when you manipulate the coin in the light. Are these all cleaned or just normal circulation? If it is cleaned then how come TPG's get this wrong so badly on many coins I have seen.

Could these marks be from circulation, the luster of all of these AU coins are really nice, it just looks like it was in a pocket or something like that.

Both of these look like circulation and handling marks. Usually a cleaning will kill the original cartwheel luster and change the color making it artificially bright. Both of these coins have original looking luster. The lines on the coins look more like tiny scratches from rubbing other coins or cash drawers. It's always far easier to make the call with the coin in hand, using 2D photos can be hit or miss.

The first one does look a little more suspect to me, but both do look like circulation marks. Obviously with a higher grade, will come with less circulation. AU58/sliders will be right on the verge of being UNC, which will either entail a few too many contact marks to be considered UNC, or have some points of rub to keep it from an UNC grade.

I have seen plenty of Morgan's straight grade that have had old cleanings. With an improperly cleaned/harshly cleaned, they will almost always receive Details.

Lighting can definitely play a big factor in the photographing of coins, ive seen plenty of examples that look much better in hand than in pics ( may be the case of the first coin you pictured). So when it comes to purchasing, make sure there is a good return policy, if you suspect it may be a lighting issue. I've gotten a number of steals bc of that ( bad lighting that makes the coins appear cleaned, but are not) but I would never take that chance with a NO RETURNS policy.

Sorry to be long winded.

Yep, have a number of dollars, both Morgans and Peace that I swore were pretty good looking coins, even under a 10X loupe was sure the grade would be in one of the AU's, 50 to 58, and then I took a picture ...... and that damned picture makes the coins look like hell, a real shocker sometimes. Can't figure it out but it is what it is.

This makes me feel better. I just know when I look at these AU graded coins in person I am like nice coin, but the pictures make me second guess them. I have had some of the pricey ones looked at by full time dealers and they say they are accurate and never mentioned cleaning. So this makes me feel better about AU coins. If the MS of some of the ones I have in AU were not so expensive I would do all MS graded coins. I appreciate the tips and insight.