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 Replies: 14 / Views: 1,906 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1058 Posts |
Take a look at ebay item number: 203142577526. I'm not a potential buyer, but the listing title caught my eye. What's going on where the mintmark normally shows on the reverse? And what about "details" for the scratches? (I confess my ignorance: maybe that's acceptable die polishing or some other kind of "normal" for a U.S. silver proof of this vintage?) Just mildly shocked... Tom 
"If everything seems to be under control, you're just not going fast enough."
--- Mario Andretti
Edited by daltonista
10/19/2020 1:14 pm
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
36575 Posts |
I just can't see this coin in a straight grade holder. Obvious signs of a rough cleaning.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
5661 Posts |
Those don't look like die polishing lines to me, looks like a harsh cleaning, impaired proof. Maybe it looks different in hand.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
What is that black mark on the reverse above the Y in TWENTY?
Edited by Coinfrog
10/19/2020 1:41 pm
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
6507 Posts |
Look like Die Polishing lines to me.
Don't know about that black thing
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
Looking at the enlarged images, the lines do not appear (at least to me) to cross any of the devices, so I'm thinking they are in fact die polishing lines that are just being captured in an unflattering light.
Edited by Coinfrog
10/19/2020 2:38 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4680 Posts |
A lot of them don't seem to pass over the devices, some do though. Seems unlikely PCGS would straight grade this if it wasnt die polishing, or maybe they REALLY dropped the ball  . Either way, not a fan. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
8938 Posts |
I'm actually not sure it was cleaned, and hear me out. A lot of really rough and mishandled seated proofs that are uncleaned tend to get this appearance from their delicate surfaces. It could just be a mishandled proof, or cleaned. I'd need to see in hand
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
1058 Posts |
Okay, thanks to all. I think I'll contact the seller for an answer about the mintmark space. Will keep you posted.
Wash your hands, everybody!
Tom
"If everything seems to be under control, you're just not going fast enough."
--- Mario Andretti
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Pillar of the Community
United States
614 Posts |
If the die was polished, someone got mixed up and went to the hardware store for sand paper :)
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
18640 Posts |
most likely die polishing but as stated someone went a little overboard. possibly after polishing the dies several times you are going to get this look so this strike could be towards the end of the die use. I'm more concerned about the black mark which looks like permanent black marker. ignoring that I think the grade is correct but if that mark is on the coin then this coin should have been detailed
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Rest in Peace
United States
10625 Posts |
Talk about terrible images. I have to assume PCGS saw these as die polish lines under in hand examination and got it right. If not, market grading has reached a new low.....
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1058 Posts |
My inquiry to the seller: "Hi ~ Can you tell me, please, what the black splotches on the reverse are? I see one on the eagle's wing near 9:00, and the other is where a mintmark would be. Many thanks in advance! Tom" His response, in its entirety: "It appears to be carbon spots." Caveat emptor, I guess...
"If everything seems to be under control, you're just not going fast enough."
--- Mario Andretti
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Valued Member
United States
338 Posts |
Interesting carbon mark; looks like a Sharpie flick.
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Valued Member
United States
442 Posts |
Count me in the die polishing lines column. But carbon spot? No, too dark and too uniform in color. Plus the edges on carbon spots tend to be more rounded. I wonder if this coin would benefit from a NGC or PCGS conservation? Sharpie mark seems plausible. And likely something that could be removed.
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Replies: 14 / Views: 1,906 |
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Posted 10/19/2020 1:28 pm
