Just got this coin today and I love it. It is by far the highest grade IHC in my collection so far. I am tempted to grade it AU-55, but since its mine I guess I'm biased so I'll say AU-50. It has a few small spots of verdigris but they are nearly unnoticeable to the naked eye. I didn't really notice them until I looked with a loupe and of course they are obvious in the hi-res scans, so am I grading to high (or better yet to low)? How would you grade it and why? Thanks.
55 seems a fair grade. I see the verdigris and it's up to you whether you want to do anything about it. Collectors are much more forgiving about stable verdigris on old copper. This coin is raw and I would be tempted to treat it with Verdicare if it were simply going into an album or a flip. Otherwise (if you intend to slab it) I would leave it alone. Lance.
I have no intention of slabbing it. And I am bothered by the verdigris and have tried in the past to remove it by using olive oil and acetone with some success even though it always diminishes luster somewhat. I've never heard of this Verdicare until now and it seems interesting and from before and after pictures I've just seen I might give it a go, thanks.