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 Replies: 9 / Views: 1,420 |
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Valued Member
United States
56 Posts |
I'm trying to learn more about spotting cleaned coins. I just sent a 1903-S Barber dime into PCGS and it came back as PCGS Genuine Cleaned-XF Detail (Certification # 43049445) much to my chagrin. Please take a look at the coin on PCGS.com and help me understand what I missed that should have raised a red flag to a novice. Edit: Sorry, I made an assumption that I shouldn't have. In order to view the hi-res photos of the coin you need to view them at PCGS.com. On the home page click on "verify" in the upper right. On the new page that opens, enter the certification number (43049445) into the "verify" field at the top of the page. Click VERIFY and the coin's hi-res photos will appear. Any reference/link to a good source on spotting cleaned silver coins (specifically Barber dimes and Buffalo nickels, would be much appreciated, too. I'm planning to sell this coin sometime soon. The retail price listed for a problem-free coin on PCGS is $800. Any thoughts on how much discount might be warranted by the cleaning? Edited by 1949-S
12/02/2021 6:28 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1204 Posts |
Looking at the photos: Coin looks pretty good to me. Maybe the dark toning in the crevices of the letters vs bright fields? Did you look at the fields with a microscope for hairline scratches. Just guessing from what I've heard about the grading process.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
No pics or link here.  to the CCF! |
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Valued Member
 United States
56 Posts |
Sorry, I made an assumption that I shouldn't have. In order to view the hi-res photos of the coin you need to view them at PCGS.com. On the home page click on "verify" in the upper right. On the new page that opens, enter the certification number (43049445) into the "verify" field at the top of the page. Click VERIFY and the coin's hi-res photos will appear.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5823 Posts |
Edited by macmercury
12/02/2021 6:41 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3628 Posts |
First, I agree with the PCGS grading. It looks like the obverse originally had black crud on the surface, and some of it was removed in a way that altered the surface. Look at these areas:  The area between the nose and lips and the "ERI" of AMERICA. There is a flower-bloom shape where the crud was. Notice that the crud is still present along the portrait, from the nose to the bottom of the lips. The area between the truncation of the bust and the second "A" of AMERICA. This area shows some surface damage, possibly from removal of the crud. The area between the "NIT" of UNITED and the back of the head, just above the ribbon. This area shows some rubbing. Again, this likely was from removing the surface crud. |
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Rest in Peace
United States
18456 Posts |
Whoever cleaned that coin not only removed crud but also removed the coins skin right down to the bone .  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
992 Posts |
What T-BOP said. The fields are way to bright for that grade.
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Valued Member
United States
56 Posts |
Thanks everyone for your input. I've got lots to learn, I'm afraid.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4415 Posts |
Looking closely at the coin's surfaces, I'm seeing some pitting that evidences the likelihood of mild environmental damage. I suspect this coin may have been found by a metal detectorist who removed debris. The overall appearance has a dull, washed-out look. That and the mildly "lunar" surfaces would have deterred me from paying for grading.
IMHO, it's still a tuff coin that would look more pleasing in an album set than a slab.
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Replies: 9 / Views: 1,420 |
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Posted 12/02/2021 5:16 pm
