1809 Half Cent (Not Mine)

I'd pass. Cleaned. AU details. The residue from the cleaning is still visible inside several of the letters, and is responsible for the halo effect around the stars.
Lots of nicks, and a couple of harder hits (left of S9 obv, left of N rev, e.g.)

Thanks so much for the feedback. Yeah, I was thinking I want to pass on this one because I don't love the lack of detail, even if it is a weak strike--it is in a PCGS MS(62) BN holder straight graded, offered by the dealer Frisco Mint/Early Cents. Maybe the pictures are bad and the coin looks so much nicer in person, but I am sure there are far better specimens in a similar price range than this one.

Thanks so much for looking at it. There is a reason why I just had to have that 1794 cent after seeing it once and this 1809 Half Cent just made me ask questions.

w/paralyse that obv is not saying MS to me where it looks like circulation wear all the way from the eye down to the bottom of the bust. I think in this case is buy the coin not the holder holds water

The junk buildup inside the date numerals and Half Cent on the reverse is either residue from cleaning (Copper Cream, e.g.) or worse it's verdigris or some other metallurgical/chemical process which should have been properly treated and conserved prior to being slabbed.

The cheek, highest hair curls above the headband, and the hair that crosses over the bust -- the highest points on the obverse -- all show signs of light wear. The reverse wreath leaves and ribbon bow also show light wear on the highest points.

If I were going to pick a hill and make a stand on the difference between cleaned AU copper and natural Uncirculated copper, this coin would be a hill I'd fight for. My opinion is that this is an AU coin with an old cleaning that was given a TPG bump and the benefit of the doubt.

Please note that this is my opinion of the coin based on the photos provided, and of the TPG grade, not of the seller. Again, the team at Frisco Mint is both respectable and highly knowledgeable when it comes to early copper, and my opinion should not be taken as a slight against their business in any way.

Some wear on the high points. AU-58.