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 Replies: 14 / Views: 800 |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
6512 Posts |
I bought this 1857 Flying Eagle cent for $60. PCI holder, the seller conveniently put a sticker over the Cleaned designation and did not mention that term in the listing. The pictures were much duller and consistent with a VF coin. I bought this as a specimen of CUD-001, seen on the reverse. I thought there was a weak strike in play on the obverse. In hand, the coin looks more than just cleaned. The wreath has a flat, polished quality to it that doesn't strike me as just a cleaned circulated coin. I am also now concerned that the weak area on the obverse was some kind of corrosion problem or other issue that got scrubbed away, and not merely a weak strike. I have the option to return. Did I get a fair deal on this coin, or did I get burned?   |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
36746 Posts |
Looks like it has environmental damage with pitting on the surfaces. Then cleaned. Return it if you can.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
74279 Posts |
Looks cleaned and corroded to me. Since the seller didn't mention it being cleaned, in my opinion, I'd get a refund. The seller was being fraudulent.
Errers and Varietys.
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Bedrock of the Community
 United States
25270 Posts |
It's a dud even with the Cud.  Inordinately fascinated by bits of metal with strange markings and figures
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3179 Posts |
Quote:
the obverse was some kind of corrosion problem or other issue that got scrubbed away  |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
6512 Posts |
ebay does require coin sellers to cover up the grade on non-standard holders. However, the sticker was strategic in this case. Just for the entertainment value, listing pic vs. actual pic:  
Edited by Brandmeister
12/10/2025 9:21 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6512 Posts |
Anyway, I concur with the opinions on this thread. I will exercise my return tomorrow.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1094 Posts |
Return it asap. So many better options out there.
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Moderator
United States
188660 Posts |
I agree, not a keeper.  |
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Valued Member
United States
250 Posts |
Yes return. It looks severely cleaned and polished. I didn't know ebay allowed a seller to cover up details about a coin. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6512 Posts |
Not allowed—eBay requires it. If a slab isn't PCGS, NGC, CAC, ANACS, ICG then the seller is required to cover up any grade on the slab. That policy prevents sellers from passing off basement slab jobs with overinflated grades as legitimate.
However, not disclosing that the coin was cleaned is a little shady.
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Moderator
United States
188660 Posts |
Quote:
However, not disclosing that the coin was cleaned is a little shady. True. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10547 Posts |
Quote:I bought this 1857 Flying Eagle cent for $60. Looks like somebody took a wire wheel to it. Too much $ |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
18668 Posts |
my concern more than the coverup is that you didnt realize that this coin was jacked up unless the posted photos were that bad.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6512 Posts |
The seller pics are below. I did have concerns about the upper right area of the obverse, as that is not a typical area for strike weakness. However, I thought it might be a grease-filled die issue. The reverse looked a bit worn to me, but that is not inconsistent with a VF coin. The color didn't look terrible in the photos. Also, I would have accepted a normally cleaned coin to own an affordable example of that Cud, which is a nice one for the series. In hand, the neon copper color was immediately concerning. Also, the gleaming flatness of the high points, which was not that visible in the ebay photos. The weak areas look way worse under magnification than the seller photos, as does the surface overall. I figured that with a return policy, this coin was worth a shot.   Edited by Brandmeister
12/12/2025 11:16 am
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Replies: 14 / Views: 800 |
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Posted 12/10/2025 7:39 pm
