I went back for a 3rd look (hope that's allowed; each time was about 15 seconds)....what's weird is that I see what looks to be mathematical heiroglyphics or something at 6 O'Clock on the field....it's like math jibberish you see on a blackboard in a science-fiction movie ....either that or it's really small dings in unqiue patterns (swirls, lines, looks like fractions, etc.)...a little "teardrop" blotch is to the left of a much larger blotch in the middle of the picture....if this coin is 150 years old I guess that could account for the discolorations.
I'm going to do another one of these soon. In addition to the thoughtful comments, this is the kind of description (for the blind guy) I'm trying to pull out of you guys: There is a light gray patch of color over much of the surface of the LEFT field that does not continue right up to the coin's relief. It is missing in the field between the stars. In part of the light patch there is a darker area roughly in the shape of an "N" that closely matches the color around the light area. There also appears to be round spots in the light area that that are lighter than the "haze" patch. Thus, the surface has a mottled look. There are two small, round, light colored spots with dark centers like a donut at the upper left of the image. Now, what does this indicate? Some have said cleaning.
Your little quizzes can be very difficult just to understand. To me that looked to be an observation error that needed attention.
It WAS my error - sorry but not in the instructions. The things I post are hard because I'll bet few here have studied coins for a very long time using a microscope. I'm trying to help train everyone's eye for detail. Small characteristics such as in this image provide clues to the coin's condition. In my experience (unless a person is very knowledgeable), a 10X hand lens used with a 100W incandescent light will fail them much of the time.
I see an unnaturally smooth surface of a silver coin with dull luster. There’s an area with discoloration, which makes me think someone used putty or a similar material to cover surface damage such as hits, scratches or chop marks (it’s a trade dollar right?).
I don't do LOL, (too girlie) but You're cracking me up! I'm chuckling to myself. Edited; Rewrite PAL?! I'll pay to see that one!
Irregular stain like surface of varying tone that may be the result of a cleaning attempt. No comment?
A person blind since birth can not relate to the majority of descriptions used. Touch...smell...hearing.... The coin is not smooth, like the skin of a newborn, but rather the skin of a young boy that has been playing and scratching his skin and getting little holes in it, or the face stubble of a young boy entering manhood, with a few holes from picking pimples The smell is similar to the old watch that has seen better days and has a used odor to it. It is not like the smell of a new coin the bank just gave you. The sound it makes when clicked with your finger is hollow in part and in other parts sound like dropping the soap in the sink, and it is because there is some loss of the newness of the feel of a silk napkin on some of the area, and in other parts of the area it is a similar feel to a coffee cup that has not been rinsed. The smell is similar to very old silver that has been polished, but not dusted or cleaned for a long time. There are areas that make you think of the smoothness of new paint joining old paint, and the difference feels like the worn area of a very well made suit.... blahblahblah,point made? If the person lost their sight after being exposed to the world of sight and understands the concept of color and old vs. new metal feel and appearance, etc., then maybe some of the descriptions would be decipherable to a sightless person...but some are a stretch, and may frustrate the person to the point of instituting a cane or dog attack.
(1) What about a fluorescent light ? (2) TPGs don't use a 10x lens do they ? I am not sure they use any except many on top coins, right ?
I apologize , I will go play with my death ray I am dead tired, my 5 week microbiology class is over , I didn't have to give any fails,
charley, posted: "blahblahblah,point made?" Yes, you don't have a clue. Please pardon my juvenile "girlie" emojis. GoldFinger1969, asked: "What about a fluorescent light ?" and... TPGs don't use a 10x lens do they ?" No, no, and sometimes. Graders are allowed to use a hand lens for authentication. I use everything I can get my hands on. I have a trinocular scope 7X-90X, used with a 2 bulb fluorescent jeweler's lamp; a 10X hand lens, and a 3X-4X-7X combo (my favorite) used with a 100W incandescent lamp. fluorescent is the ONLY light recommended to examine a coin or die's surface for defects. Used by U.S. Mint technicians from before 1972 and at least until 1975 (the last time I was inside the Mint's Department of Technology). Also used to detect the first trace of wear on a coin SO its use is forbidden for TP grading. This type of light is Not recommended to see hairlines on a coin UNLESS you are using a stereo microscope.
The area has been buffed for some reason...I'm not convinced this coin is genuine....there are pimples on the leg that leave me with questions..