I've never seen wear shaded like this... Should I trust ANACS would note any problems? My concern is the normal wear areas are darker, with light "halo" around obv stars. In my limited experience, I'm accustomed to dark halos and light wear areas. Like this: Any comments & opinions are appreciated. Thanks.
You're comparing a VF to a GD. I don't agree with the VG grade on the 1853. Too much wear and a large scratch. The 1842 is a nice looking coin but it was cleaned in the past and has retoned itself with a darker color. Hence, it is what you describe.
Regarding the halo effect, it is not uncommon for the halo to be light, or dark. Both occur with equal regularity, but typically at different points in time during the life of a coin. For example, all coins begin to tone immediately after being struck. And the areas of the coin that tend to tone first are those that are the most exposed, or those closest to or in direct contact with another item - eg: a coin album, holder, envelope, etc etc. In other words toning will usually begin near the edges and work its way inwards, in the open fields, or sometimes even the devices. But when this happens the protected areas in and around the legends and/or close to the devices do not tone as quickly. Thus they stay light in color. This typically continues in this manner until, over time, the toning catches up and becomes more even across the entire coin. This is true of coins that are being stored in a collection as well as coins that are in circulation. Coin begin life being light in color and become gradually darker as time passes. But, with coins that are in circulation, as wear progresses, the more exposed areas of the coin receive the most wear. Wear rubs away the darker color in the more exposed areas thus creating the reverse effect. The halo in protected areas is now darker than the areas that are being subjected to the most wear because the the darker toning is being worn away. And the toning in the protected areas becomes even darker yet because it is not being touched. A similar effect can also occur because of the gradual accumulation of dirt and grime that coins in circulation are exposed to. The dirt and grime accumulates in the protected areas and stays there because nothing can touch it and wear it away. But the dirt and grime in the open areas of the coin, and on the high points of the coin is worn away by contact. Once you stop and think about it it's really all just common sense as to how to and why the halo effect occurs, and whether it is light or dark in color.
I can't agree that the coin was cleaned simply because of the dark spots here and there. I'm sure ANAC's would have given it a details grade if it was. Remember, this coin is very old and may have been stored in any number of possible environments. There were no coin holders in it's early days and coins were stored by collectors in cabinets. Older homes had fireplaces, coal and wood stoves for heat and a very poor humidity situation. What may appears as a cleaning to some may just be some environmental cause. But not enough to give it a details label.
I agree, but in my experience once its AU50 or lower, its always a dark outline. Why? Because the outlines still have luster and it tones. The fields and higher relief has its luster broken and it gets that gun metal toning. However, if you clean such a coin, the dark bands of toning lose their toning and go back to being lighter. Hence, I agree with others that this coin was cleaned, (most likely dipped), in the past. That is why it has a funky toning on a circulated coin.
Thanks for all the responses. Very helpful -- as well as articulate, informative and well-written. A pleasure to read! (I'm a retired Teacher.)
Looks fine to me! I think that this coin is far more "original" than the 1853 Half that you posted, which does look cleaned in my opinion.
Old dip. Which has since retoned. The details look a bit better then a xf 40 to me. More a 45+. Probably was net downgraded. I'd try to cross it to pcgs myself. A 50/50 chance it'll grade and well worth it if it does