1858 O Seated Half Opinions

Bought this 1858 O Seated Half today from a friend of mine. It's my first one of the series and don't know much. He was hard up for some Christmas money, so I got it fairly cheap. What are your opinions on:
1. The grade?
2. The color (unnatural or normal)
3. The rim bump on obv. and rev. (Is it market acceptable? )
4. Any other observations?

 

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First you need to find what variety it is, then go from their to see if it is worth marketing it!

 

I am not looking to sell it. I just want some opinions on the coin. My first SLH.

 

Parts of it appear to have been heavily cleaned. The dirt pattern is disrupted fairly heavily in the obverse and there seem to be pretty decent hairlines in the less dirty area. Additionally, to the viewer's right of the eagle on the reverse there is also a patch of what looks like might be scratches. I understand that dirt patterns can be different and that lighter areas are normal, but this coin would scare me based upon the images.

 

Cleaned VF...at this grade level the rim ding doesn't really bother me that much.

 

X/F by Photograde !

 

agreed.

Possibly a bit better

 

PCGS Photograde seems to be between VF35 - XF40 to me. BUT...it's been cleaned heavily so that drops it some.

 

Anyone think an acetone bath would do it any good?

 

I'd leave it alone , maybe put it in a manilla envelope to let the color even out some . Still if you got her cheap she's not a bad looking coin , just too bad it was cleaned .

 

Unfortunately, I believe the obv. has been harshly cleaned. looks like about xf40 details to me.

 

I'm saying choice vf detas. Those 2 spots on the obverse where someone cleaned it jumped out at me the second I saw it. To bad as the rests got nice original color

 

Soaking in acetone as we speak. Will see if this helps any.

 

What are you hoping to achieve with the soak?

As an aside, there are a few rather interesting varieties for this date/mint, and while I cannot make out anything from the photo, this, if interested, might still be worth looking into as identifying one would only add to the coin.

 

Would like to remove any contaminants that may be on the coin making it darker. If it's just toning, it won't change any. Maybe if there are contaminants, it will knock down the contrast between the light and dark toning areas some. It might also reveal some more cleaning spots. Not really sure what to expect. Have been experimenting some with acetone baths to see what it will do.

What varieties should I look for, or where can I find an online resource on them?

 

Almost looks like someone took a pencil eraser to the left and right sides. I'm gusseng there were spots or discoloration there I hate when the do that I got a nice (otherwise) trade looks like someone took a knife to a small spot on the reverse

 

I was thinking the same thing about the rub spots.

 

Author Bill Bugert---Seated Half Dollar Die Varieties

 

Looks like it was cleaned a little aggressively years ago but has since re-toned quite nicely.
The rim ding, while pretty noticeable, is small enough that it wouldn't bother me.
As far as market acceptability, I have no clue. To me it looks good.
Grade? Possibly an XF40.

Overall a nice coin with nice detail, I would certainly like to have it in my collection.

 

My first thought was cleaned as well, but then I thought because the coin saw modest circulation, the fields would naturally be "clean" and contact marks would prevail!

Personally, I liked the coin the way it was in the picture. Nice inexpensive example of a design that is growing on me.

Please post photos after the acetone bath. I'd like to see the comparison.