Bought this off of eBay and just got it today. I would like some opinions about the back...what do you think that mark is? Is there a way to get it off without lowering the value? I am not sure if it is toning or a stain. Please check it out.
Looks like toning, if it is, you could dip your coin, however seeing the condition of the coin, I would not recommend dipping.
looks like there was tape on it at one point or another. If that is it then dip it in pure acetone to dissolve the residue. The color will still be weird, but it will stop damaging the coin. my 2¢
It means that grading companies won't grade it because of it's condition. It's probably not worth anything more than silver bullion.
Main thing I believe Is its a piece of history and a collector item. Not every one can afford un circ ones. Please dont feel bad because of others harshness. I have a few, lucky I got them cheap. I cleaned mine they look better and Im happy. Do what ever makes you happy Bruce
Not so fast... This may depend on how much you paid for it. Even cull Morgans go for more then spot. I would not doubt someone would pay $10 or more for that very coin. If you are unsatisfied with it, maybe use it as a Dipping test coin. If you do as The_Cave_Troll explained it should remove the black gunk... and you will have a prettier coin without it being damaged any further. It may bring to light a dent or two but thats better then a fat black stripe. Also becaue it was not mentioned above... DO NOT clean it with any other meathod, you will only damage it more. -Bobby
This may sound harsh, but did you do your homework before buying the coin? That means: 1) did you buy a couple of books to learn how coin doctors can change the surface of the coin to make it appear that it is better than it actually is? 2) Did you study a number of cleaned, damaged, polished, whizzed, doctored, fake, et al. coins in the presence of someone who could show you exactly what each kind of damage looks like so that you would recognize it? 3) Did you research coin values/basic grading including the way different kinds of damage affects coin values, 4) Did you insist on buying only from reputable dealers (this doesn't neccessarily exclude all eBay sellers, but there's sharks in them waters!) with solid return policies, and 5) did you do all of this research BEFORE buying a coin? If not then you failed to do your due diligence. I feel bad for you because it seems that you may have overpaid for your coin, but the good news is: If that coin was the cost of your "intro to problem coins" lesson then you got a very cheap lesson! Some have made MUCH more costly mistakes than you. Please don't let one unpleasant experience color your numismatic experience! Start learning now and make your next purchase a better one! The problem with experience is that it tests first and then teaches! You have to work at it a little bit to make sure that you do your learning first. Good luck!
Does the back look like it was cleaned as well, or just the front? I admit the front looks not quite right, but the back looks more natural to me. But what do I know...
to CoinTalk hllywood. Please, don't just read The_Cave_Troll's post - study it and learn from it. That one piece of advice can literally save you bundles of money! And to answer your last question - if that coin could talk, it would probably shout:
