Is this environmental damage or just toning?

This MS64-graded Cleveland came in the mail a couple days ago. It's in a rattler and the seller's photos looked attractive, but when I took it out of the package and looked at it in the daylight, this is what I saw. The effect is more pronounced when viewed at an angle but is visible in some types of light even head on.



Is this regular toning or does it look like PVC, a dip gone wrong, or some other issue that isn't market acceptable? Since it has been in its holder for 25+ years I'm sure a lot of things could have happened. On the other hand, I know that not all toning is attractive and there are coins in slabs graded higher than this one that are ugly.

It looks the worst under natural daylight but is somewhat better under the nightstand lamp.

 

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Is it a PCGS "Rattler"? It doesn't look like one. How do you know that it has been in the holder for 25+ years? Because the seller told you that? If you're not happy with it, can you send it back for a refund?

Chris

 

It is a rattler and it can be returned. Since rattlers haven't been made since 1989 I know the coin has been in there a while.

 

Nice coin! It is the type of end-stage toning that can be called ED by the "purists" like me and Dr. White; however, on a coin this nice and correctly graded it is just considered natural toning. Don't crack it but it should bring a premium over the price of a 64 and would quite possibly be graded as MS-65 today.

 

It just didn't look like a PCGS Rattler to me. If you're having second thoughts about the coin, it probably will never change. If it were me, I'd return it.

Chris

 

Not an expert, but I stayed in a Holiday Inn Express in 1987.
The reverse looks like toning. Those dark spots on the reverse looks like environmental damage or the result of an improper cleaning.
The obverse edge from 6 o'clock thru 8 looks like environmental damage, (or bad cleaning) and to me, it's not an MS-64.

 

IMO, you may wish to study what original coins look like. Start with this: The reverse of this coin is a 100%, full luster, attractively toned GEM! I guarantee this coin will eventually be in a MS-65 slab at the least!

 

It's fine. This is a normal look.

 

I see toning (both silver sulfide and silver oxide). Can we see a photo of the full slab?

 

Here are both sides of the slab under a flash.

 

Wow, easy upgrade!

 

Looks like PVC residue on the obverse and a little on the reverse. I once had a rattler Morgan in MS62 PL that came back from CAC with a sticker on it that said "PVC damage" from John Albanese. That's NOT the type of sticker I was looking for...

 

Can PVC residue turn in the holder and become more apparent over time? I would have thought that if the residue is there it would have been visible from the very beginning. Also, I am wondering if a certain amount of PVC is deemed market acceptable and ends up in slabs?

 

I like it. The only concerns I have is the mess on the "L" in HALF & the small spots reverse 5 to 7 o'clock, but still environmental

 

If it is PVC which is possible. The answer to your last question is NO

 

So yes it can turn in the holder over time and no it is not market acceptable?

 

correct

 

Yes that's what I meant

 

@KSorbo This isn't what's on your coin. But I wanted an example. My slab experience is this new PCGS slab. These spots were not on this coin when purchased or stored but appeared within a couple months of storing. It's the only coin it happened to. It was explained to me that it is spittle on the coin pre slabbed.