Yes - I think it has been cleaned and possible recolored. The thing that bothers me the most is the pitting on the obverse. Just my opinion.
The second one hasn't been cleaned probably, but it is somewhat of an undesirable color. That'd detract from the value IMO, in addition to the dings on it. It's not too bad otherwise though, good detail, but I don't really have much experience with half cent grading.
I suspect that both of those coins have been previously cleaned but so what? They both are still attractive examples with VF/XF details. They appear to have already begun to retone and, if left out, in time, more of their original color should return.
1832 Half Cent AU-50 details, cleaned net XF-40 Numismedia lists 1832 1/2¢ value at $102 in XF-40 and I think that is about what that coin would fetch on the market today. With it's very low mintage of only 51,000 one could certainly make the argument that the 1832 1/2¢ is undervalued.
No expert myself, but looks like a C-2 and a ground recovery piece with previous corrosion and/or porosity which was why it was cleaned and recolored. So I think it is legit, but will bow to the those that know more than me.
It's certainly possible Mark. But corrosion seldom results in such symetrical and round pits. Nor are the details mushy and indistinct. Thus my thoughts.
I had a the same coin w/corrosion and thought it a good idea to clean it (not) and used heated peroxide. Pitting was the result and looks extremely similar. Far from expert, simply looks the same.
I would have guessed yes to the 32, but no to the 09. I thought the 09 looked fine. Remember these I believe were made from different sources of copper than other issues. I have a similar colored 1810 large cent. I would have to see it in hand with a loupe to be sure. My guess with the 32 is that there was some major issue with it, and they cleaned the whole thing trying to get rid of the problem, and the pitting on the cheek was under the problem. I have seen "scrubbed" large and half cents before. I could be wrong on the 09, and would defer to an early copper collector. Chris
Both Yes. Both have patina that is too even and constant over the entire coin - fields, edges, portraits, etc, although the first shows additional wear since being cleaned. They just don't look natural. But, with coins of this age you'll find that many, if not most, have been cleaned at some point in their lives.
At what point does a coin being cleaned not affect the value as much? Is there a certain age? Number minted? Etc. I think they both have been cleaned. I think what you paid for it was ok, assuming real. I don't know anything about counterfits with large cents so can't comment on that.
