How to make a XF+/Au. coin into pretty much a worthless piece of metal!

I picked this up also on Sunday, TG it didn't cost much! However I knew it was a good example of what not to do or try to do to a coin.
Now take a look this 1871 Half Dime a Valentine #5
Obv. Tall low date ,both 1's close to edge. Defective D in "United"
Rev. both ribbons ends touch wreath.
As you'll notice if you look closely first it is a very nice strike....in hand it almost looks proof like plenty of details. The Valentine #1, for this year was struck from proof dies.
960 proofs were struck in 1871 and 906,750 MS were struck....so under a million coins minted.
Making this year not a key but again a lower mintage year.
Now my take on this coin was it was album kept, and toned completely. Who ever owned it decided that the toning was unattractive and cleaned it! You can see the toning up above states a lite blue color as well in hand underlying next to most devices.
The coin so small in hand looks unc/or proof like, as it has been cleaned or whizzed on its obv.
It really hard to see until you image it or put under a 5x loop that a once beautiful coin is now been made into a cleaned mess!
Somewhat worthless except for the fact to use as a tool to train others what "not to buy", or "be tricked" by thinking it could be a proof,or a unc. coin.....
It is a damn shame that a piece of history has been treated like this one has.....none the less could be sold to a novice collector as a unc./proof strike.
My intentions in acquiring this specimen is hopefully to educate others by post it here in hopes that newbies might read this post ,study the images and use this as a tool to make the right choice when at a show, surfing e bay, or considering making a purchase of a coin that looks like this one does.
The quote " all that shines isn't gold" is so true in collecting coins! Don't be fooled by bright shinny ,sharp strikes, as being a proof or unc. coin.
If you have any doubts walk away until #1 you find a knowledgeable trusted friend who will help you decide if the purchase is a good choice ,or #2 remember unless the mintage is extremely low ,and survival rate is low also there's more out there....to be discovered and purchased.
Making a purchase on an item like this isn't a good choice.... it's a problem coin that will haunt you in several ways... one you most likely won't recoup your investment in it [Two] your self esteem may be effected leaving a distaste for a hobby that you did really enjoy.
Again I knew what I was doing when I purchased this specimen, I didn't pay but a tad over melt.... and knew sharing this especially with newbies would be a good learning tool.
What really sad this coin "WAS" a very nice coin! Until someone made a bad choice....
don't let someone elses bad choice become yours!

Retail value before cleaning would of been in the range of $60/100 + est.

 

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<cries a little bit>

 

Thanks for taking the time to share and educate, very appreciated!

 

That’s some harsh cleaning. What a shame. Great educational piece.

Sorry to hijack the thread, but is there a good online reference for Valentine varieties on seated half dimes? I can’t seem to find one, but I have several half dimes I’d like to check the varieties on.

 

Looking at the coin really showed me what to watch out for. Knowing what to look for is very important, and you just educated a newbie. Thanks!

 

The sad part is and it isn't all dealers but some may take advantage of a newbie and lead them to believe that the coin above is UNC. And to be quite honest it in hand with out a loop since it's so small, to the untrained eye it looks unc.
But the same effects as seen above on the half dime cane be seen by the naked eye on larger crown and half crown size coins.

I do have a list that I will pass on to you later on today.

 

Dealer said: "it's UNC"......not said was: "since it was cleaned!"

 

That's really bad. Bet it looked great before it was cleaned.

 

What a shame!

 

Libertyseatedhalfdimes.com
Everythinghalfdimes.com
Seateddimevarieties.com
You may need to to search each site for the sub levels of certain coins.
Beware I have fohnd the CPG to be incorrect on half dime varieties. I suggest any information be checked by other references to be certain of the data.
You may also contact me with images and I will try and id the coin or variety.
I hope these sites are helpful.

 

I wish I could image this in a 2x2 at around 12 to 18 inches from the coin.
Then you could see from that distance how nice this coin would look if it wasn't scrubbed. A coin this size @ 147 years old in this condition, I wish all my h 10's looked this good....with out the cleaning of course.

 

Nice coin, what a shame. Good PSA though.

 

Nice post for newbie guys like me

 

The ebay seller title is this..."1860 o Seated Half Dime- nice white high grade AU almost Uncirculated "

Are you ready ?

I'm thinking they sand blasted this specimen!

 

Buy the coin. Not the scratches. I done even own many coins. I give my finds away. Would love to gift that coin to grandbabies. Wonderful coin. Must thankyou for showing us to look out for. Thank you for sharing with us examples of what to look for. Like ruth says. Us women can't tell toilet paper from sand paper. Ya think

 

Yeah i can even see that one. Can't you fix that up a bit. What if you put lacquer on it

 

Good coin to test your skills

 

Im kinda stupid today. Went to bisons baseball today

 

Do they serve adult beverages at the ball game?

 

Thank you very much Paddy!