1921 Peace Dollar High Relief

maybe the defect he was referring to was on the reverse the right side is cleaner than the left with a clear delineation line right in the middle of the coin. I'm not convinced it was polished but it was definitely cleaned. I think the glare from lighting is giving it a sheen that would lead us to think it was.

this will help getting better photos from your phone. your latest photos are better but still too much glare from overhead lighting.

1. if coin is in holder, remove coin from holder if possible

2. turn off flash

3. place coin on flat surface with indirect natural light. maybe a window sill in a cloudy day. Use a black or white background to avoid any reflective color

4. move phone about 3in from coin

5. zoom in using your fingers until the coin comes into focus and fills the cameras view finder. if your phone has a portrait selection use that and then press and hold on the coin in the view finder to AF lock it

6. hold phone steady. if you cant then place something on either side of the coin (like books) at that distance and lay phone between them. this will hold it steady and allow you to zoom and take the photo without any blurring

There are extremely rare matte (sandblasted) and satin proofs of this issue too. I'm not saying this is one. Your comment about the "defect" made me think of that.